Press Releases

EASTHAMPTON, MA - Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means visited Rock Valley Tool on Monday with Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle to hear how their small business and others like it across the city benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The program, made possible by the passage of the CARES Act, brought $1.2 billion back to the First Congressional District of Massachusetts, aiding more than 10,000 businesses across western and central Massachusetts.

"The CARES Act, which passed about four months ago and that I helped to write, meant that 10,460 small businesses in central and western Massachusetts received aid to combat this pandemic that had negative consequences on their businesses through no fault of their own,” said Congressman Neal. “Over 86% of loans were under $150,000 and allowed for businesses to stay open and pay their bills.”

“Easthampton businesses, from human services to small breweries, all benefited from the CARES Act that Congressman Neal delivered,” said Mayor LaChapelle. “These important funds allowed them to pivot in the face of COVID-19, save jobs and keep the lights on. I am grateful for his leadership to save the economic vitality of this great city.”

In addition to Congressman Neal and Mayor LaChapelle, State Representative Dan Carey and Easthampton Ward 2 City Councilor Homer Gomez were on hand to celebrate the success of the program and businesses involved. Those businesses included: Rock Valley Tool, Abandoned Building Brewing, Riverside Industries, River Valley Co-Op, and Nini’s Ristorante.

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