SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – U.S. Senator Tom Carper paid a visit to two Sussex County small businesses Wednesday morning. He was there to check in with them after dealing with tough challenges amid COVID-19.

Road To Recovery

The business owners told Sen. Carper that although COVID-19 numbers are dropping off, and businesses are back open, the adjustments they had to make, and the financial toll to stay afloat, are still lingering. But, they say things are finally looking more promising, thanks to help from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

“The two years of COVID-19, our business was basically stand still, and it was survival mode. Right now, it’s a growth mode again,” said business partner of Peninsula Cleaners in Seaford, Nick Kypreos. “Small business is the backbone of the United States for employment. Taking care of small businesses is a priority not because we are a small business, but because we know that’s the truth.”

Facing Challenges

Kypreos says his business employs 25 people. So, when the pandemic began, keeping the business’ loyal employees on the job was a top priority for Kypreos and his partners. He says they were able to do that with PPP and EIDL loans from the SBA. “We were able to keep them paid, even if we didn’t have enough work for them. That was a tremendous help for us, because we didn’t have the funding to carry on paying our employees,” said Kypreos.

Then, as the business was already dealing with that hurdle, two other major issues came up: the roof needed replacement, to the tune of $70,000, and one of the company’s vans was totaled in an accident. “All this funding that was provided by the EIDL money was critical in sustaining our business. The PPP kept us going for our employees,” said Kypreos.

Meanwhile, in Bridgeville, another business was able to stay afloat with PPP and EIDL loans. “[Vendors] bring their wears in here to sell. We have everything, from antiques and vintage, to new gift items, home décor, boutique items,” said owner of Downtown Alley Antique and Variety Store, Jane Houtman.

Houtman says because of the nature of her business, it wasn’t just about saving her own bottom line. “We have 30 small businesses inside of the store, and worrying about how they were going to be able to survive. also. I’m not just responsible for myself. We’re responsible for 30 other small businesses inside of here.”

Looking Ahead

While business is doing much better, Houtman says things like rising gas prices and inflation are still hurdles they’re dealing with. And, for Peninsula Cleaners, Kypreos says they’re having trouble attracting younger people who want to work. “Employment is one of the biggest challenges that our nation can face. If we can build employment, we can build economic growth. If unemployment increases, we’re going to have problems with our economy,” he said.

SBA Delaware Director Michelle Harris says continuing challenges like these, are why she hopes more small businesses will take advantage of the SBA’s services. “The programs that we offer were accessible to a variety of businesses. It’s a grand spectrum of things,” she said. “Our COVID-19 programs are kind of sunsetting at the moment, because we have expired the use of those funds. But, the SBA has a myriad of other technical assistance programs.”

And, for Sen. Carper, he says he has some ideas to take back with him to Washington, D.C. to keep supporting small business. “We asked a lot of businesses today, and frankly almost everyday across Delaware, how are you doing? How are we doing? And, what can we do to help?” he said. “We get good ideas, and we have a bunch of good ideas here.”