Last year Rockland SBDC local economic impact topped $21 million, created more than 170 new jobs, and preserved 53 jobs in Lower Hudson Valley

HAVERSTRAW, NY– Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today visited UNoodles on Main Street in Haverstraw to highlight local businesses that have benefitted from Rockland’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides management assistance to current and prospective small business owners to help them get off to a successful start.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and local economy,” said Lowey. “By equipping local entrepreneurs with knowledge, resources, and assistance, the Rockland Small Business Development Center is helping foster local economic development that leads to job creation and improved quality of life in the Lower Hudson Valley. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to ensure important programs like the SBDC can help improve the competitive position for local small businesses.”

Assistance through the Rockland SBDC, which is part of the New York State SBDC, includes building business and marketing plans, training for management, as well as linking small businesses with financing for expansion. Last year, the local economic impact was more than $21.8 million, including $5.14 million in SBA 504 loans and $3.7 million in SBA guarantees.  Local small businesses that received assistance created 173 new jobs and saved 53 jobs in the Lower Hudson Valley. 

Paulo Feteira, a native of France with a Portuguese background, and chef David Martinez, a native of El Salvador, are co-owners of Union Restaurant and UNoodles, and are working with SBDC to open a third restaurant in the Village of Haverstraw.  Feteira said, “David and I were able to live the American Dream, thanks to the help we received from the Small Business Development Center and Key Bank to buy this building and make the renovations for UNoodles.”

The Rockland SBDC, which serves Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, last year helped 648 small businesses in all three counties, said Director Tom Morley.  Of this total, 266 are minority-owned small businesses, 261 are women-owned small businesses, 44 are veteran-owned small businesses, and 11 are run by service-disabled veterans. Since its start in 1987, the Rockland SBDC has worked directly with 17,147 businesses, helping them to invest $672 million in the area's economy, and create or save more than 9,000 jobs, according to their website.

After visiting UNoodles, Lowey also visited 16 Front Street in Haverstraw. The location, the site of a former restaurant heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy, will become a new restaurant scheduled to be opened in March 2015 by Gary Oteri and Bob Milone. Oteri says they are receiving help from Rockland’s SBDC.

“Bob and I are very excited about 16 Front Street and are looking forward to assisting in the revitalization project that is under way on the Haverstraw waterfront,” said Oteri. “We appreciate the help from the SBDC, and once we open, we plan to give back to the community through various events.”

“Economic development is critical for our communities,” said Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Lowey and the federal assistance through the Small Business Development Center that helps these restaurateurs and other small business owners to start and expand. With them come more jobs and visitors to our downtown and waterfront.””

In her role as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Lowey has consistently championed funding for the SBA business loan programs, microloans, and workshops. Last year, the SBA supported more than $29 million in capital to businesses in Westchester and Rockland Counties. Congresswoman Lowey is committed to improving the competitive position of small businesses, the lifeblood of our communities and economy. She has been fighting in the U.S. House of Representatives for:

• Targeting relief of tax burdens and health care costs;
• Increasing access to affordable capital and technical assistance; and
• Protecting small businesses from unfair credit practices.

###