Recognitions on the passing of
community covid19 victims
AIRPORT VOICE, MAY 2020 3
Queens Congress delegation
Calls for small PPP biz support
BY JEFF YAPALATER
The Queens Chamber of Commerce
held its second webex for small
business relief with the Queens Congressional
delegation today to discuss
focused support for small business
through the Payroll Protection
Program (PPP) loan program run
directly through lenders designed
to help small employers fund payroll
costs. This can be of great assistance
to the many businesses that serve the
Port Authority airport of JFK and
LGA in Queens. Many of these concessions,
restaurants and business
services have been devastated by the
Covid-19 virus.
Congress people Gregory Meeks,
Tom Suozzi and Carolyn Maloney
spoke about need to direct funds
from larger small business to local
small businesses through the various
fi nancial assistance programs
available from the federal government
due to the Covid-19 crisis. The
forum was hosted by the Queens
Chamber of Commerce moderated by
Chamber President Tom Grech and
Peter A. Fehnel, Supervisory Economic
Development Specialist (EDS)
New York District Offi ce U.S. Small
Business Administration. Although
not present, shouts-outs were given
to Congress people Nydia Velaquez,
Hakeem Jeffries and Grace Meng for
their support and leadership in fi ghting
for the Queens business community
as part of the Queens delegation
Getting immediate relief through
grants and loans to the small business
was at the top of the agenda.
Congressman Suozzi said that the
bulk the PPP, from the initial $350
billion federal relief program went to
the larger small business with lending
institutions seemingly favoring
the companies that needed in excess
of one million dollars. Maloney said
that the many small businesses needing
$25,000-$100,000 found their applications
not processed leaving the
very small family businesses out in
the cold. As of now that initial funding
has been depleted. Congress is
working on another infusion at the
moment.
“Not one Queens business received
a loan” from the initial dollars
allocated for PPP.” said Grech.
Although during the webex one business
called in and reported success
in notice of bank approval. This is
the one documented case so far in
Queens, but still left the need for very
small businesses to work with a bank
for a loan they all said. However, that
was good news according to the participants
since there is now another
window of opportunity for more to
come with the anticipated additional
funding.
Now, as of April 21, there seems
to be a deal that could be passed by
the Congress and signed by the President
as early as Friday April 24 to
add another $310 billion to help small
business. Meeks said that $30 billion
of that will specifi cally go to the community
banks, Community Development
Financial Institutions (CDFI’s)
and credit unions to help the truly
small businesses in neighborhoods.
This type of earmarking of funds is
to bring relief to small businesses
which failed to get funded from the
fi rst $350 billion, which do not have
an existing banking relationship
but need immediate relief to keep
employees and keep their business
afl oat. To impress the importance
of these funding, Meeks, Suozzi and
Maloney urged everyone interested
to get their paperwork in order and
be prepared to apply as soon as the
bill is announced. They foresee an
outpouring of interest and quick depletion
of the funds.
Another relief program called
the EIDL, Economic Injury Disaster
Loan Emergency Advance offers
loans of $10,000 to businesses suffering
from the Covid19 crisis. According
to Peter Fun, the payments on
existing disaster loans will be suspended
until January of 2021 to help
mitigate fi nancial strain on suffering
companies.
Each participant urged their business
owners to contact them when
having problems reaching the right
people or assistance in the application
process.
A key point was made that it was
necessary to provide all the information
required on all applications.
Said Suozzi, make it “Tight, right
and accurate” to insure proper review.
Links to relief programs:
PPP, Paycheck Protection Program.
https://www.sba.gov/
funding-programs/loans/coronavirus
relief-options/paycheck-protection
program-ppp
CDFI- https://www.cdfi fund.gov/
programs-training/Programs/cdfiprogram/
Pages/default.aspx
EIDL https://www.sba.gov/funding
programs/loans/coronavirus-relief
options/economic-injury-disaster
loan-emergency-advance
Congressmen Meeks and Suozzi on webex
call.
The coronavirus has attacked
our world without
warning, and has taken loved
ones from us with unexpected
fury. We recognize the pain
that these untimely deaths has
brought to family, friends and
our aviation business family.
May all our colleagues Rest In
Peace.
Jules Taylor
Former President of the JFK
Rotary Club.
Taylor was a Human Resources
Director for a local nonprofi
t, a board member of the
Rosedale Civic Association in
Queens and an avid sports fan.
Tennis playing buddy,
friend, and husband of Emmlynn
Taylor, also a former Rotary
member.
Robert Spring
LaGuardia Kiwanis Club
lost a long-time member in Robert
(Bob) Spring.
Bob owned Modern Art
Foundry in LIC, and was a lifelong
craftsman in the fi eld of
casting sculpture & other forms
of artwork.
Deonarine Manikchand
Worldwide Flight Services,
Operations Support Manager
In loving memory of our
dear friend and colleague Deon,
May you rest in peace and
know how much his dedication
and friendship impacted
our lives. Forever in our memories…
Gregory Abanavas
Retired–Coordination Center
Supervisor / Former TWA
employee at JFK Airport
Greg passed from complications
caused by the Novel Coronavirus.
He was always “Mission
First” and will be missed by all.
James Taylor.
CBP Field Technology Offi cer James Taylor.
On May 8, 2020, James Taylor, 67 years old, passed
away after valiantly battling COVID-19. James was a
loving brother, trusted Offi ce of Information Technology
colleague, and valued member of the New York
Field Offi ce family. James was assigned to JFK International
Airport since 1999 and is a founding member
of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. His passing is a
tragic loss to CBP.
Omar Emiliano Palmer,
The gentle giant that we all came to know and adore,
passed away after a courageous battle with COVID-19.
Omar began his federal career as a Customs Technician
on July 14, 2003 at JFK Airport. He subsequently
achieved the position of Customs Inspector, worked in
the Passenger Operations division and later in his career
in the Tactical Operations division where he spent
many years with the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement
Team and Passenger Enforcement Roving
Team responsible for the seizure of millions of dollars of
illicit currency as well as the arrest of many individuals
for outstanding warrants and other criminal activities.
He will be greatly missed.
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