Congressman Josh Gottheimer and small business owners discuss economic relief for minority-owned businesses during a Virtual Roundtable on Thursday, May 20, 2020

Paramus, NJ – Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a virtual roundtable discussion with local Fifth District small business leaders on Thursday, May 20, to discuss the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resources available to help minority-owned businesses.

Joining Gottheimer were more than thirty small business owners and entrepreneurs, including those representing minority-owned cafes, restaurants, barber shops, florists and more.

The virtual roundtable discussion was organized in collaboration with Bergen County NAACP, Teaneck Road Business Community Alliance and the Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance.

“Small businesses are the economic engines that drive our economy, creating good jobs, leading innovation and strengthening our communities. While all small businesses have been disrupted by the economic tsunami caused by the coronavirus, particularly here in North Jersey, minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs face unique challenges, ones that I’ve been working hard to address both before this crisis and throughout our relief efforts,” said Gottheimer. “I was glad to have the opportunity today to speak to so many great small business leaders about how this crisis has affected them, our continued efforts to get relief to the small business community, resources available to assist minority-owned businesses with all that they need, and how we can continue working to make small business ownership more reflective of the great diversity of our nation. As our nation continues to combat this pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we support minority-owned businesses, and strengthen economic opportunities for all Americans as they start and grow their businesses. The continued vitality of minority-owned small businesses is critical to our nation’s economic recovery and getting America safely back to work.”