US Rep. Brenda Lawrence: If Detroit Is Not Whole, Business Community Cannot Be Whole

U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence spoke with Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah in today’s Tele-Town Hall on how the federal response to COVID-19 is currently evolving to adapt to the unfolding crisis.

Lawrence acknowledged that small business owners are rightfully frustrated with the current process of securing federal funds. The good news is that the government is expanding the Payment Protection Program (PPP) by $310 billion dollars, said Lawrence.

The expanded relief package will also provide $100 billion in relief for hospitals and healthcare providers, and for states to expand testing. Lawrence noted that part of this fund will go to mobile testing, ensuring testing equipment is available.

“If we truly want to fight the spread of the virus, we must test,” said Lawrence. “Testing cannot be the normal process – we must do remote testing.”

Lawrence signified that more relief is on the way. States and cities like Detroit have not received the assistance they need at this critical time, she said, which could put the city in a difficult financial situation once again.

“If the city is not whole, the business community cannot be whole,” said Lawrence.