Congressman Delgado Takes A Stroll Downtown
by Doug La Rocque and press release from Congressman Delgado’s office
Representative Antonio Delgado joined Hoosick Falls Village Trustee Kevin O’Malley for a tour of the downtown area on Monday, August 17. They visited small businesses and local organizations in the community to learn more about how businesses are adjusting to reopening measures and charting a path forward. The Congressman, who was also joined by Town of Hoosick Deputy Supervisor Eric Sheffer, visited with Brown’s Brewing Company, Hoosac Package, Bistro 42, CiviCure-Wood Block, Hoosick Provisions, and Tri-State Federal Credit Union.
“Hoosick Falls is a vibrant and dynamic village and it was a pleasure to speak with business owners throughout the Hoosick business district to learn about how they’re adjusting to reopening measures and keeping our community safe,” said Rep. Delgado. “I introduced the Rebuild Rural America Act to give our rural communities access to federal funding and I championed multiple provisions for our small businesses throughout the COVID-19 relief legislation negotiations. Our conversations today continue to shape my understanding of how our business owners and community centers are experiencing reopening measures and preparing for the future. I will keep these discussions at the top of my mind and look forward to returning soon.”
One of those the congressman spent time with was Jim Martinez, President of the Tri State Area Federal Credit Union, who tells The Eastwick Press “Congressman Delgado asked me how COVID-19 has impacted our business. I explained that our small credit union ($34MM) is negatively impacted three different ways. We earn income from loans, investments and fees. With the Federal Reserve’s actions to keep rates low, it is nearly impossible to earn more than .6% on a $500,000 CD which means our investment income is off significantly. COVID-19 has also changed (at least temporarily) buying habits which has caused fee income to also drop significantly. Therefore, we have focused on our lending which also dropped during March and April when everyone was staying at home. I told him we have millions to lend and we are practically giving it away. Because it is likely all small credit unions are dealing with the same negative impacts, it would be beneficial for our institutions and our members if we were included in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP).
In the attached picture, Mr. Delgado is inspecting our countless “Mask Required” signs. He asked if members were giving much push back. I told him they have been respectful and have not pushed back as we have let them know that the requirement is meant to protect our staff and members.
As an aside, I told Mr. Delgado that my daughter was thrilled that I was meeting the Congressman since she believes he could some day be President of the United States. I believe it is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Village Trustee Kevin O’Malley said “Both nationally and across the state, smaller communities are often forgotten, and I think local businesses were grateful to have Congressman Delgado take the time out to learn more about their challenges and see how they are working to make ends meet. In Hoosick Falls, we’ve faced challenges with our water and we are now moving in the right direction. It was nice to see the Congressman come and focus on the economic aspects of what’s happening in our community,”
“We are so appreciative of the time Rep. Antonio Delgado spent touring Brown’s Walloomsac Taproom and Brewing in North Hoosick, NY this morning. He was genuinely interested in our family business and of the community in which we proudly call home,” said Kelly Brown, Brown’s Brewing owner, along with her husband Garry Brown.