YORKTOWN, NY - When it comes to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic New York State has lagged behind the rest of the country. Inflation and supply chain issues continue to hamper local businesses forcing prices to increase. Earlier this week, Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater gathered business leaders from Westchester and Putnam Counties to provide direct feedback to local and state officials.
"In Yorktown, we have a proven record of collaborating with business leaders to craft meaningful policies that produce successful economic development," Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater said. "New York State has notoriously been tough on small businesses and our recovery from COVID-19 has been no exception. If we want to get our economy back on track then we have to provide a forum to hear from those who are actually running businesses, hiring employees and making our economy run."
Slater was joined by nearly 20 local business owners from the 94th Assembly District who provided their firsthand account of how small businesses are struggling. Business leaders cited the rising costs of insurance, in some cases doubling for next year. Supply chain delays on essential material such as copper are delaying projects and forcing prices to increase. The importance of building a pipeline from local high schools to apprenticeship programs was also emphasized.
"When our small businesses are successful, the health of our communities and local economies thrives. Matt Slater understands this better than anyone, which is why I was proud to participate in a roundtable discussion to connect with the job creators in the 94th Assembly District," Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay said. "As businesses work to recover from the COVID pandemic, they don't need added pressures from Albany's costly red-tape and unnecessary regulations. Getting businesses back on their feet and putting people back to work is going to require leaders who listen to the concerns and support the efforts of the business community. That's the kind of commitment Matt will bring to the state Assembly."
Assemblyman Mike Lawler added, "Across the Hudson Valley, working families and small business owners are struggling under the crushing burden of inflation and the lack of available labor. With a high cost of living and high cost of doing business, it is critical that we get our economy back on track by cutting taxes and spending eliminating job killing regulations, and make America energy independent again to reduce the cost of energy. In speaking with these small business owners, one thing is clear, they need help and need government to work with them, not against them."
The 94th Assembly District includes Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Putnam Valley, Somers, Southeast and parts of Yorktown. Election Day is November 8th.
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