New York State Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie) was recently recognized for a $32,000 grant he secured for Gateway for Entrepreneurial Tomorrow's for the purchase of equipment and capital expenditures on their new location.
"I am pleased to have secured this grant for Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows, Inc.," said the Senator. "Small businesses are a vital force in New York's economy, employing more than half of New York's private sector workforce and accounting for 99 percent of new business creation. I am proud to assist GET's efforts to provide services specifically designed to help small business entrepreneurs have access to resources and maximize their opportunities for success."
Mid Hudson Patter for Progress President Mike DiTullo offered a synopsis of how the program was started following a two year study done by Pattern and Marist College School of Management, with funding provided by the Dyson Foundation. "I congratulate Rob (Lunski, GET President) for taking the organization to this level of success. His hard work on behalf of minorities and low income families show that the dream of business ownership is alive and becomes a reality when given a chance to work and grow through a program like GET."
Ed Murphy, Development Director for the City of Poughkeepsie, expressed his satisfaction at the expansion of GET on Main Street and stressed the collaboration of GET in helping local people know and access the City's Revolving Loan Fund. Kathy Bauer, Assistant Vice President for TDBanknorth in Fishkill presented a check for $10,000 from the bank's Charitable Foundation in support of GET's free programs and services.
Lunski thanked everyone present especially the GET entrepreneurs in the audience, among them Patrice White who provided the catering service, and Lori Vasquez who is receiving assistance to open a flower shop and provided the floral arrangements for the occasion.
Lunski also announced a new partnership with Community Capital Resources of Westchester County to offer business startup loans up to $5,000 and loans for existing businesses up to $10,000. This new offering is made possible in part thanks to a grant from Empire State Development Corporation.
GET helps minorities and low income families in the Mid Hudson Valley region achieve financial freedom though free and confidential consultations, business training; access to regional opportunities; individual mentorships; and loans for business startup and existing businesses.
For more information about GET's free programs and services, call 845-790-5004 or write info@gethudsonvalley.org [2].
