Congresswoman Angie Craig Convenes Local Chambers of Commerce to Hear Feedback on Small Business Relief and to Discuss Reopening Local Economies Safely

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, a member of the Small Business Committee, brought local chambers from across the Second Congressional District together in the second of two critical conversations about the effectiveness of federal small business relief and the reopening of the economy.

COVID-19 has deeply derailed our local economies. Rep. Craig is considering the public policy steps needed to help small businesses through the pandemic and then how we can rebuild our economy moving forward. Today, among the things discussed was the continued need to address a major need in the modern economy: the continued need for career skills and technical education that matches the jobs that are available or will develop post-pandemic.

"I thank the local Chambers of Commerce for joining me today because these local conversations about how we safely reopen our local economies and support small businesses must drive our federal policies," said Rep. Craig. "As we continue to turn the dial toward reopening our economy further, I'll never stop fighting to support our small businesses, which is why I authored a bill to give the hardest-hit small businesses an opportunity for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding. At the same time, I'm leading the effort to make sure our efforts to rebuild the economy include workforce training and authored the 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act to fundamentally change the way we look at skills training and education by presenting apprenticeship programs and manufacturing degrees as great career opportunities in the new economy. I also co-authored language in the Moving Forward Act to address surface transportation workforce needs and ways to increase the representation of women and minorities in surface transportation careers."

The following Chambers of Commerce joined Rep. Craig over the last two weeks: Dakota County Regional, Cottage Grove, Northfield, Savage, Wabasha, Red Wing, River Heights, Hastings, Lake City, Burnsville and Lakeville.

Rep. Craig continuously fights for small businesses across Minnesota. In October 2019, she introduced the 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act to help Minnesotans secure careers in high-demand fields by fueling workforce training partnerships between schools and local businesses.