Dear Friends,
Even as Arkansas's Phase 1 of reopening is underway, small businesses are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis.
Programs like the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are still providing critical relief to families and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP loans have helped Arkansas businesses and nonprofits retain their employees and keep their businesses functioning.
Here is one local business that was able to retain the people they employ on the payroll after receiving a PPP loan.
Burrito Day Café, is a local restaurant located in the Main Street District of Searcy, AR owned by Brandon and Kari Fox, which exemplifies their belief that that fresh healthy, organic food can be fast and come from your own backyard. They source many fresh ingredients from local farms.
COVID 19 forced Burrito Day Café to suspend operations, but the funding of the PPP loans has allowed the restaurant to continue to employ all 18 members of their staff. Additionally, the PPP funding has also allowed Burrito Day Café to pay its rent and utilities. Simmons Bank provided the loan.
Mr. Fox said “We are very thankful for this government funding. It has allowed us to do our part to slow the spread of the virus while still taking care of our employees. We are also very thankful for the service we got through Simmons; they were very knowledgeable and worked around the clock to make sure we got what we were eligible for.”
I was proud to support this lifeline to families and businesses across Arkansas by voting in favor of H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which secured an additional $310 billion in funding for the PPP.
For more information on how PPP loans have impacted Arkansans, click HERE or on the image below to watch a video I recorded on May 11.
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Make.Do Organizing Quarantine Craft Camp |
Jo Ellis and her team at the nonprofit organization Make.Do., have been restoring hope through creativity, connection, and compassion in Searcy, Arkansas.
The team at Make.Do. has shifted their focus during the current public health crisis due to COVID-19 and has dedicated their abilities to making masks for the community and healthcare workers, so far producing more than 780 masks.
Recently, I recognized Jo Ellis and her team at Make.Do for their extraordinary work before the U.S. House of Representatives, and that recognition is now part of the permanent Congressional Record.
The team has also adapted its community outreach by starting the Quarantine Craft Camp. Here, they provide craft supplies to Searcy residents and encourage them to participate in the educational Facebook Live events that they host.
This initiative has shined a light on how creativity encourages positive attitudes and can unite a community even amidst a public health crisis.
Preparing Our Children For The Future |
We had a fantastic group of students in this year’s Future Leaders Council who did a great job learning about how the federal government works.
Thank you to the moms, dads, and grandparents who helped them join us on Saturday mornings throughout the school year! In our call this weekend, Leo told us all about his personal story of perseverance, and Meara asked me about the pets I had growing up.
So much fun to connect with these bright students, and I hope that everyone enjoyed our chats throughout the year.
To watch part of our Zoom conversation, click HERE or on the image below.
| CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION |
The current public health crisis has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives, but creativity and talent can never be deterred.
The Congressional Art Competition is a special tradition, and like Arkansans and Americans everywhere, we here in central Arkansas are adapting to ensure that it continues. In lieu of the in-person judging and awards ceremony, this year, digital reproductions of artwork will be accepted and judged remotely, with a winner being announced via social media. It is my hope that this outlet for personal expression provides a little bit of excitement and fun for our high schoolers and their families while at home due to school closures.
High school students in central Arkansas wishing to participate in the Congressional Art Competition are invited to call (501) 324-5941 or visit my website HERE for more information.
The deadline to submit photos and information is 5:00 PM CT this Friday, May 15.
Congressman Hill with last year's central Arkansas Congressional Art Competition winner, Meg Bat-Ulzii from Pulaski Academy, pictured with her winning piece, “Foreshortened Self-Portrait” that is hanging in the U.S. Capitol.
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| Federal Grants for Fire Organizations Available |
REMINDER: Friday is Deadline to Submit Application |
This is a reminder that fire service organizations nationwide with membership on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic are able to apply for a share of $100 million in funding to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies. The funding is part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act through the FEMA Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).
The deadline for applications is this Friday, May 15. AFG-S provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and state fire training academies.
If you have questions about the technical assistance tools, e-mail the AFG Grants Help Desk at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov, or call at (866) 274-0960. The AFG Help Desk is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, Monday – Friday.
If you would like a grant support letter to assist you in securing a grant through the AFGP, please call my office at (501) 324-5941.
| looking forward to following CDC guidelines and getting back to work |
Interview with Fox Business |
Yesterday, I spoke with Fox Business' Cheryl Casone about Governor Asa Hutchinson's plan to safely reopen Arkansas, how America can respond to China’s tactical misdirection, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's $3 trillion bill which the House will vote on this coming Friday.
To watch the interview, click HERE or on the image below.
It is my honor to serve as your representative in Congress. If you ever need assistance from my office, please call (501) 324-5941 or email me at Hill.House.gov.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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