Warren County EDC hosts Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in Glens Falls

Warren County EDC was honored to host a visit from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls today. He discussed the targeted areas of the American Rescue Plan Act, including aid for restaurants, arts venues, and working families.

This morning’s event was a turning point, as we look to a brighter 2021 and beyond. The information and recovery-related funding that Senator Schumer shared with us was timely and eagerly received by not only those at the Wood Theater today, but also a grateful community in our piece of New York State.

Group on stage with Senator Schumer

We invited three strong women business and community leaders to share their stories about how they’re working to lead our recovery locally: Emily Murphy, Executive Director of the Wood Theater; Rebecca Newell Butters, Chef-Owner of Morgan & Co. Restaurant; and Kate Austin-Avon, Owner and Creative Director of Advokate, LLC.

Joining them on stage were Warren County EDC President and CEO Jim Siplon, Warren County Board of Supervisors Chair Rachel Seeber, Glens Falls Mayor Dan Hall, and Warren County and Johnsburg Supervisor Andrea Hogan.

President Siplon says, “We are so grateful to Senator Schumer and his A-team of Steve Mann and Hannah Smith for their continued support to our region. It’s been twenty-two years and counting that the Senator has come to see us, share important news and listen. As Mayor Hall put it, “He always has good news for us.” We are grateful for this remarkable connection and commitment.”

Jim adds, “Chairwoman Seeber and Mayor Hall are a shining example of local leaders working together for the benefit of our entire region. Their comments were heartfelt and generous. We are well served by them and their teams, represented at today’s event with Supervisor Hogan, nearly the entire Glens Falls Council and others on the staff such as Director of Tourism and Business Development Amy Collins and Economic Development Director Jeff Flagg.”

“Emily, Rebecca and Kate brought their authentic voices, bringing truth to the needs and impacts of this plan to our performing arts, restaurants and working family communities. Their voices were touching, real, and the connection to the human element of this vital recovery aid coming from the Federal response that we all needed. Their strength as not only speakers but as emerging young leaders in our community was inspiring.”

“We appreciate Emily Murphy and the volunteers and staff at the Wood for their gracious use of the theater and all that it took to host today. It was exciting to see life in those wonderful walls again and a prelude to wonderful days ahead. Days like today restore our collective faith and remind me how special a place we have, especially with all that each of these people add to it,” says Jim.

Chairwoman Seeber with Senator Schumer

Senator Schumer stated, “Help is on the way,” and in his remarks, spoke about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide much-needed relief to restaurants, the Save Our Stages Act to provide lost revenue to arts venues, the Child Tax Credit to help children rise out of poverty, as well as $30 million in state and local aid heading to the Glens Falls region, including $12.23 million for the city of Glens Falls, $12.40 million for Warren County and more than $11.87 million for Washington County.

Find information on COVID-19 relief options here, and expect more to be added in the coming weeks:

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options

Here is media coverage of the press conference:

Schumer Touts American Rescue Plan in Visit to Glens Falls, The Post-Star

Schumer Touts Stimulus Funding in Glens Falls, WAMC

Schumer Touts Help for Theaters and More in Visit to Glens Falls, News10