U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) recently toured local small businesses in Seattle to discuss her efforts to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in delivering Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund through the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the pandemic. Seattle also benefitted from funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, which Murray helped craft and pass in 2021.
On her tour, Murray was joined by Alan Macleod, owner of MacLeod’s; Lois Ko, owner of Sweet Alchemy; Max Genereaux, owner of Hattie’s Hat; and Legh and Maggie Burns, owners of Re-SouL – all of whom received PPP loans. Sweet Alchemy and Hattie’s Hat also received funds through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, so when the pandemic hit, I took swift action to help them keep their doors open and their employees on payroll,” Murray said. “It was great to hear from so many small business owners right here in Seattle that the American Rescue Plan helped get through hard times. I will always be a strong voice for our small business owners in the U.S. Senate, and I absolutely plan to keep fighting for top priorities of mine to support Washington state workers and small businesses—like making childcare affordable and accessible and finally passing a federal paid leave program.”
Murray was also joined by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell; Markham McIntyre, director of the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development; Mike Fong, SBA Pacific NW region administrator; Mike Stewart from the Ballard Alliance; and Mike Tulee from United Indians of All Tribes and Sacred Circle.