During National Small Business Week, Hoyer Visits Patuxent Brewing Company

WALDORF, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) visited the Patuxent Brewing Company, a Black-owned, small craft brewery business in Waldorf, MD, during National Small Business Week, which is celebrated between September 13 and September 15, 2021. Congressman Hoyer toured the brewery alongside Co-Owner Davie Feaster and Regional Director of Small Business Development Center at College of Southern Maryland Wynne Briscoe.

"I was glad to recognize Small Business Week today by touring the Patuxent Brewing Company in Charles County today. Maryland's small businesses are essential to our local economic growth and success, and that is why I have made it a priority in Congress to assist small business owners during this pandemic," said Congressman Hoyer. "I was happy to hear about the work co-owners Gene Lott, Tranice Watts, and Davie Feaster have done for our community since opening in 2019. The Patuxent Brewing Company has helped give back by supporting local community organizations such as the NAACP in Charles County, and they have also helped connect black-owned businesses by collaborating with the Small Business Development Center in creating a registry for black-owned businesses in the area."

"With the help of emergency COVID-19 legislation, both in the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, Congress both authorized and strengthened programs that assist small business owners with operating their businesses and keeping their doors open. But the work to assist our business owners continues – I will keep advocating for business owners and ensure they have access to resources they need to build back better from this pandemic. In 2020, our country experienced the worst decrease in business ownership in our history and now, we must look ahead to provide small businesses in Maryland – including the smallest businesses and minority owned businesses – with the long-term ability to thrive," continued Congressman Hoyer. "With the Build Back Better Act, we can create more opportunities for business owners that increase access to capital, improve Small Business Administration entrepreneurial development programs, expand federal opportunities, and help spur innovation. I applaud the Patuxent Brewing Company for their success and thank them for welcoming me today. As our only black-owned brewing company in Charles County, I will continue to fight for their needs and the needs of our small businesses in Congress."

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