Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep Arrington released a video highlighting how the Paycheck Protection Program has kept employees on payroll and off unemployment for small business owners in TX-19. Below, you will find additional information and background on the featured business owners. To download a copy of this video, click here.

“Our small businesses are the lifeblood of West Texas and the heartbeat of America. The Paycheck Protection Program has helped these West Texans get back on their feet and keep their employees on the payroll and off unemployment,” said Arrington. “Let’s get back to work, get government out of the way, and unleash the free enterprise system to lead the greatest comeback in American history.”

TX-19 Small Businesses Featured:

“We have been down for about a month. I have 23 stylists, including me, that have been struggling and hurting throughout this month… I just want everyone to know that the PPP loan has really, really blessed us… It has been easy to go to sleep now at night… I just want to let y’all know the struggle we’re going through, all small businesses and their employees are going through… Now with this PPP loan, it has helped me and my staff. I hope others continue and have faith and know that there’s hope coming from this…”  -Desare Piseno, Toni & Guy Salon – Lubbock, Texas

“We have four employees on payroll… I know that without PPP everyone would feel unstable and insecure, but because of PPP, they have peace of mind, they know they will be okay, and they know that they can still provide for their families.” -Donya Butler,  DesignEnvy – Lubbock, Texas

“We’re a 55-year-old tractor and implement dealer… This virus has made a difference in all that we do… I’d like to say something about the payroll protection program, it has been a big plus. We have employees – 23 of them – and we’re not anyway for sure we could’ve continued to keep them employed without this program.”  -Jerry James, James Brothers Implement – Plainview, Texas

“On behalf of other non-profits and houses of worship in West Texas… [the Paycheck Protection Program] really helps us to keep a full staff to serve members of our community.” -Ryan Strebeck, First United Methodist Church – Sweetwater, Texas

“I have been a dentist for 22 years, but have been a practice owner for 15. I have four employees, five including myself… the PPP allowed me to hire all my employees back and get them all back on the payroll so we can keep everyone off unemployment.” -Tracy R. Henson-McBee, DDS, PA General Dentistry – Lubbock, Texas

“With this payroll protection loan available to us, it allows us to not focus on our expenses of our employees but, allows us to spend more time taking care of customers through customer service.” -Larry Locke, Logistics Support- Nolan County, Texas

“I have 8 employees and have been open for four years now. I just wanted to take a second to say the Paycheck Protection Program has completely saved my business and I’m so grateful for it. Through this program, I have been able to keep paying my entire staff, I have been able to pay all the necessary expenses to keep the lights on. Truly without it, I don’t know what I would have done… Because of it, I will be fully staffed and ready to go when we are allowed to open our doors again.” -Hillary Sharbutt, Blo Blow Dry Bar- Lubbock, Texas

“Besides myself, I have 9 other employees and the Paycheck Protection Program… has been an absolute Godsend to keeping the doors open and keeping product rolling out the door during this time of crisis.” -Russ Petty, Creative Graphics Solutions – Abilene, Texas

“At the time of the Coronavirus outbreak, we had 89 employees. Through the PPP program, we were able to keep all of those employees employed and we are adding additional employees as we have transitioned our services to making medical masks for the general public.” -Jay Jacobus, Scarborough Specialties – Lubbock, Texas

“We’ve been in business for 26 years. In those 26 years, one of our most valued resources is our workforce. In this downward economic trend, PPP has be able to retain our valuable resources so we can help supply the nation’s superfood – milk.” -Bernadette Mulliken, Vista Grande Dairy- Plainview, Texas

“We plan for rainy days out here, but we don’t plan for rainy quarters. My employee, through the PPP program, is able to continue to work for me. Without that, yeah, they would probably be another statistic in the unemployment line. So Mr. President, thank you.” -Steve Burrus, Artisan Jewelers – Plainview, Texas