Upton Speaking To Locals About COVID-19 Concerns

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fredupton73473737-35

Congressman Fred Upton has been in St. Joseph all week speaking with locals about what they need as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues. He tells WSJM News he spoke with some farmers the other day.

“Our growers are rightly worried about their crops,” Upton said. “Are they going to have the workers? What happens in terms of protections for themselves as well as their workers if somebody gets sick?”

Upton says they also want to make sure there will be a market when this crisis is over. He’s been in talks with the governor, adding all of Michigan’s Congressional delegation supported her request for a federal disaster declaration, which was granted over the weekend. That gives the state more resources.

“We’re looking at additional supplies of personal protection equipment, or PPE. I’m glad to see a number of our local businesses actually beginning to produce this and providing it not only for our health folks, folks on the front lines, but also others that need it, too.”

Upton also spoke to local small business owners this week. They wanted to know about the aid to small businesses included in the economic stimulus bill. Upton says there’s $350 billion in loans available to them, and guidance on seeking them should be out soon. He recommends they first reach out to their traditional lenders. Upton is also expecting another bill similar to the CARES Act will be needed later, and the talks have already started on that.