The following is a letter PCA President John Anderson and Executive Director Scott Pearce sent to Senators Marco Rubio and Susan Collins in support of the recent Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act.
Dear Chairman Rubio and Senator Collins:
On behalf of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) representing over 3,000 retail tobacconists, 30,000 employees, and over 250 manufacturers, we write to thank you for your efforts in crafting the critical Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that continues to aide our membership of small business brick and mortar retailers and family owned manufacturers. We would also like to extend our support for the Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act.
Our association has been working diligently during difficult times to assist our membership in sustaining their small businesses. As a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that depends on travel and tourism revenue and funding through a large-scale trade show that was cancelled in 2020, our organization has directly felt the impacts of COVID-19. We fully support the extension of PPP to non-profit organizations and hope to utilize these funds to bring back furloughed employees and protect the sustainability of our association so that we may continue to advocate for the premium cigar. In addition to this critical provision, we are particularly supportive of the following measures included in this legislation:
- PPP Second Draw Loans– providing funds for the hardest hit small businesses and allocation for businesses with fewer than 10 employees. ***Most PCA retail members employee 6-7 local community members.***
- PPP for PPE– allowing fund eligibility for protective equipment improvements by small business owners.
- Simplification of Small Loans- simplifying the forgiveness of requirements for loans under $150,000.
Again, we thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of small businesses and offer our assistance in supporting this critical legislation. Please feel free to reach out to our staff if you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Scott Pearce John Anderson
Executive Director President
Premium Cigar Association Premium Cigar Association