Earlier this year, multiple small businesses in my district were severely impacted by public utility road construction on nearby streets. Several constituents contacted my office claiming they have lost over $10,000 while public utility companies performed road construction in front of their establishments. This roadwork caused a decline in foot traffic and other obstacles for people to access these businesses, such as road closures and limited parking spaces. These road construction projects have created serious issues for our small business community, and I believe we must help to mitigate the challenges and financial distress placed on local business owners who have been affected by utility roadwork.
 
For these reasons, I will be introducing legislation to establish the Small Business Road Construction Mitigation Program, which would help fund qualifying businesses within an area that has been impacted by a public utility road construction project. To be eligible for funding, a business must demonstrate a significant decline in revenue that has resulted from the road construction project.
 
This program will be vital for small business owners who are struggling to stay afloat while prolonged maintenance or upgrades to underground utilities prevent car and foot traffic to their business. Pennsylvania’s small businesses are essential for promoting economic growth, driving innovation, and creating new employment opportunities for our neighbors. Therefore, I believe we must take these necessary steps to support our local businesses during these challenging times and provide safeguards that enable small business owners to thrive despite the days or weeks of disruptive construction work impacting their establishment.
 
Please join me in supporting this legislation to uplift our small business communities that may be financially impacted by public utility road construction work.