{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/open-for-business-casey-poconos-business-leaders-sbdc-officials-promote-regions-businesses-as-great-location-for-families-tourists-to-come", "Open for Business: Casey, Poconos Business Leaders, SBDC Officials Promote Region’s Businesses As Great Location for Families, Tourists to Come", "2014-11-06", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Swiftwater, PA- Following the capture of suspect Eric Frein, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), joined by local Poconos\u2019 business leaders and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) officials, promoted the region\u2019s businesses and destinations as \u2018open for business.\u2019 Reports indicated that businesses suffered during the search as customers stayed away. Casey, who urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid these businesses, described the region as an ideal place for families and tourists to come.\u00a0 Senator Casey has previous helped to secure over $2.2 million from the SBDC to educate companies on how to operate during challenging circumstances, such as during natural disasters or during the recent manhunt.\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s no question that these last few weeks have been incredibly difficult for families, police and businesses across the region,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThese services provided by the SBDC and the SBA will help business owners who have felt the impact of their search on their businesses. There\u2019s no doubt about it: the Pocono Mountain Region is open for business. This region has been, and remains, one of the top destinations for families in the country.\u201d\r\nAccording to the Pocono Mountain Visitor Bureau, the Poconos tourism industry supports over 33,000 jobs and provides nearly $3 million in state and local taxes. Visitors to the Poconos Region spend approximately $3 billion annually on lodging, recreation, retail, food and beverage, and transportation.\r\nSenator Casey recently wrote to the SBA, urging them to provide counseling and assistance to businesses affected by the manhunt. The full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet\r\nAdministrator\r\nU.S. Small Business Administration\r\n409 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 7000\r\nWashington, DC 20024-3212\r\nDear Administrator Contreras-Sweet:\r\nI write to request that the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide counseling services to businesses in several townships in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Blooming Grove, Porter, Lehman and Greene townships in Pike County and Barrett, Price and Paradise townships in Monroe County. Numerous small business owners in these counties have been negatively impacted by the manhunt stemming from the September 12, 2014 shooting at the state police barracks that resulted in the death of Corporal Bryon Dickson and wounding of Trooper Alex Douglass.\r\nOver the past several weeks, there have been several media reports about small business owners who are suffering financial hardship due to the continued search for the survivalist shooter that has lasted over five weeks. I urge you to offer your services to these small businesses in this area. The suspected shooter, though not apprehended, has been spotted in Pennsylvania\u2019s Poconos Mountains.\u00a0 Many of these companies would greatly benefit from the SBA\u2019s counseling and training services particularly at a time when business has been severely affected by circumstances outside of their control.\u00a0 These services would be particularly helpful in getting these small businesses back on their feet.\r\nI respectfully request you to expedite your consideration of this request and keep me informed of any new developments.\u00a0 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or my staff.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention to this request.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/open-for-business-casey-poconos-business-leaders-sbdc-officials-promote-regions-businesses-as-great-location-for-families-tourists-to-come"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9406278841197491, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}