Conversation with Congressman Gonzalez

Conversation with Congressman Gonzalez

July 9, 2021

Cares PPP, Labor Market, Logistic Challenges, Supply Chain

Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), representing Ohio’s 16th District in the U.S. House of Representatives recently visited Columbia Chemical. Congressman Gonzalez met with President Brett Larick and other members of the executive team to learn more about Brunswick businesses impacted by the Cares PPP funding. Congressman Gonzalez serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and on the Financial Services Committee, where he is the vice chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion. Discussion with the Columbia Chemical leadership team centered around the impact of the Cares PPP loan on Columbia. As a 100% Employee-Owned company, preserving the workforce was a key focus for Larick during the pandemic, and the Cares PPP act was important to those efforts. In addition, classified an essential business due to operating as a supplier to manufacturing in critical industries such as safety, medical, construction and energy, maintaining full production and service to support the valuable efforts of their customer base in their role during the crisis was pivotal. A proponent of the PPP, Congressman Gonzalez pushed for simplified parameters for the program. Other topics discussed during the visit included the current labor market shortage, logistics and freight challenges and general supply chain impact on raw materials. To keep a focus on the importance of businesses that drive local economy, Gonzalez routinely visits companies in his district to hear the thoughts and concerns of business leaders and remain connected to the needs of his constituents.