TodayPlatts brings grant, promotes federal energy bill
Local congressman is taking part in a Republican demonstration to bring the bill up for a vote
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Above, Rep. Todd Platts, R-19, left, observes as George Klaus, right, area director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rural development department, presents a Rural Business Grant check of $99,000. Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger is between the two men. At right, Omar Shute, executive director for Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp., says a few words about the funding and how it will be used. Karissa Zimmer/The Sentinel
Small businesses will be eligible to receive an influx of capital after the county received a grant for more than $99,000 on Tuesday.
Congressman Todd Platts, R-19, was present when the U.S. Department of Agriculture presented the grant money to the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp. The agency will use the grant money as part of the Cumberland Small Business Fund loan program to make loans of up to $20,000 to small business in the western part of the county.
Speaking at the event, Platts said “there are two great cornerstones that relate to quality of life: educational opportunities and economic opportunities.”
Platts said the grant money and loans given to small businesses will help out not only the recipients but the entire country by helping family owned businesses and creating new jobs.
The small business loans will be given to people who “seek to live the American Dream” Platts said.
Gary Eichelberger, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, said at the presentation that “small business is the backbone of the economy.”
“We’re a growing place,” Eichelberger said. “We need to prepare for growth and prepare for change. We know we have to plan for the future and we need to act. We want our young people to have a range of opportunities.”
Chris Gulotta is the executive director of the CAEDC. He said a the small business loan program allows the county to greatly boost economic development.
“These are dollars that are coming back from Washington to do good here,” Gulotta said.
Pushing energy act
Platts returned to Carlisle from the Capitol to attend the event. Even though the House of Representatives is out of session, Platts and a group of other Republicans in Congress are attempting to hold a “talk-in” to force Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the chamber back into session and allow a vote on the American Energy Act.
Platts said he wants the House of Representatives to go back in session to “do the public’s business” rather than take a five-week recess. Platts returned to Washington, D.C. this morning to resume activities.
“What we’re asking for is a vote on the American Energy Act,” Platts said, describing the act as a comprehensive solution to “our energy crisis on a short-term and long-term basis.”
Although the AEA would allow drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as part of a comprehensive plan, Platts said that only 2,000 of the 20 million acres in the wildlife refuge “will be affected by anything associated with drilling.”
“We need to use new technology for the good of the American public and rein in these high energy and gas prices,” Platts said. “The technology has advanced so dramatically in recent decades that allows for environmentally protected drilling.
“This is an economic issue. This is an issue of national security.”
He also said, “It’s not just about the gas we put in our cars,” but also about the energy cost businesses use to function, noting that “energy is one of the biggest drivers of the economy.”
Platts said the AEA will balance conservation with the demand for more energy. He said the AEA is also “about new and renewable fuels. It’s about nuclear. It’s about using all the resources available to solve the nation’s energy crisis.”
Platts estimated that there are tens of billions of barrels available that could dramatically boost supply if the AEA is passed.
At this point Platts said the Republican members of the House of Representatives are “going to take it day-to-day and week-to-week” and use “every means available” to get the AEA passed.
Small businesses
George Klaus, USDA southeast area director, said the grant money and loan program will be a “continuing job creating mechanism.”
Omar Shute, CAEDC executive director, noted that the five small businesses have already been assisted by the organization and the new funds will allow even more lending to take place.
“It’s going to boost our loan pool,” Shute said. “This grant is going to be used exclusively in western Cumberland County. It may provide the cash flow that is so necessary in for a small business or down payment on a building.”
Eichelberger praised Platts for his ongoing commitment to Cumberland County, “it’s very encouraging as county officials to know our congressman cares about us.”
In the past two years, five business have received $95,000 in low interest loans from the Cumberland Small Business Fund loan program.
