Rep. Sherrill Talks American Rescue Plan Across NJ-11

Parsippany, NJ -- Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) traveled across the district this week, visiting vaccination sites, small businesses, and community events to talk to constituents, business owners, medical providers, and local officials about how the American Rescue Plan is bringing much needed relief to help New Jersey recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

"The American Rescue Plan is a landmark piece of legislation that will make a major impact on families and communities across New Jersey who are struggling from this crisis. Badly-needed relief is coming to our small businesses, working families, and cornerstone community organizations. Moreover, the Biden Administration is following through with its promise to ramp up vaccinations and, here in New Jersey, local officials are working tirelessly to get shots in arms," said Rep. Sherrill. "Over the past few days, I've criss-crossed the district to meet with key stakeholders and my constituents to discuss the ways the American Rescue Plan is making a difference and what more we need to do as we continue to fight this pandemic. Help is here with the American Rescue Plan and I'm hopeful for about the days ahead."

This week, to highlight how the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is impacting our community with funding for local municipalities, vaccinations, testing, mental health and substance abuse, restaurants and other small businesses, and shuttered venues, Representative Sherrill:

• Toured the new FEMA Vaccination Site at NJIT in Essex County, which with a capacity of 6,000 shots per day is speeding up efforts to get more shots in arms in New Jersey.
  
• Convened her weekly call with NJ-11 major medical providers from across the district to get an update on COVID hospitalizations and vaccine distribution.
  
• Provided a legislative update on the ARP and other topics to the Madison Rotary in a discussion moderated by Madison Rotary President and Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen and Madison Mayor Bob Conley.
  
• Visited the HOPE ONE fourth anniversary celebration to join Morris County elected officials in congratulating Sheriff James Gannon, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, Family Promise of Morris County, MHA of Essex & Morris, and Morris County Prevention is Key on this important outreach work.
  
• Toured the Sussex County vaccine site at the Fairgrounds, with Commissioners Chris Carney, Sylvia Petillo, and Herb Yardley, as well as Hopatcong Mayor Michael Francis, County Administrator Greg Poff, and retired Newton Police Chief Michael Richards. The impressive drive-thru site is currently administering 1,000 shots weekly thanks to the efforts of the County, the Sheriff's Office, and an incredible volunteer corps.
  
• Joined a call organized by Sussex County Chamber of Commerce President Tammie Horsfield and Sussex County League of Municipalities President and Sparta Mayor Christine Quinn for NJ-11 Sussex County Mayors to answer questions about the state and local funding included in the ARP, which will bring over $40 million in direct funding to county and municipal governments in Sussex County.
  
• Visited the Essex County Vaccination site in West Orange with Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and Essex County Health Officer Maya Lordo, where they were hosting a teacher vaccination clinic as part of the effort to prioritize teacher vaccinations and get students and educators back in school.
  
• Toured the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown with President & CEO Allison Larena, Board Chairman Greg Supron, General Manager Ed Kirchdoerffer, and Chef Leia Gaccione of South+Pine American Eatery to learn about the impact of COVID on MPAC and its neighboring local businesses, as well as measures they have taken to make performances COVID-safe. They discussed the importance of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Shuttered Venue Grant Program created by the Economic Aid Act in December and strengthened by the ARP, and the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund created by the ARP.
  
• Stopped by a vaccination site at Church of God in Christ For All Saints in Morristown where Pastor Robert Rogers, Founder & Board Chair of Empower the Village Ayo Sanderson Wilson, and President & CEO of Zufall Health Center Eva Turbiner had collaborated to increase vaccine access in communities of color. Zufall Health Center will receive an additional $10.7 million in Community Health Center funding from the ARP to support their continued commitment to this important work.
  
• Conducted a small business walk in Morristown to check in with business owners, while taking the opportunity to congratulate owner of jewelry store Merzatta, Danielle Merzatta, for winning the Morristown Women in Business Entrepreneurial Award this week, and picking up some Easter treats at The Artist Baker and Eso Artisanal Pasta on Cattano Avenue.

Rep. Sherrill will continue touring the district to discuss the impacts of the American Rescue Plan this coming week.