FISHKILL— Small business owners heard about opportunities that they possibly could take advantage of as the result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The informational seminar was held at the Fishkill Town Hall on Thursday, April 16. Congressman John Hall (D-19) and his staff organized the meeting.

“Challenging times also offer opportunities,” said Hall. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

John Vicinanza owns an insurance agency in Hopewell Junction. He has been in the insurance industry for the past 18 years.

“Like every small business I’m feeling the pinch. I’m seeing my customers struggling and seeing what could be done about it,” remarked Vicinanza.

At the beginning of the meeting, Vicinanza said he was hoping to hear that the officials understand what’s going on, that the current economic downturn is affecting everyone.

“That they’re going to address these problems. I don’t see things improving,” he stated.

He said he hopes the stimulus package would also help small businesses and not just big business.

“Our small businesses are particularly vulnerable” in times of economic downturn, said Hall.

The stimulus package, Hall told the approximately 120 people in attendance, includes tax incentives, job creation, and incentives for banks to make loans to businesses. The approximately $255 million loan program, the congressman noted, is to help businesses meet their current debt.

“I cannot express how important it is for us to get the word out and explain what’s going on,” said Arnaldo Sehwerert of the Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) serving Dutchess and Orange counties. There were two part of the recovery package that were important to discuss, said Sehwerert, access to funding and tax issues.

Richard Torres of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) told the business owners about a 10 workshop DVD the IRS has to help them. On the DVD is information regarding hiring practices and record keeping. Each workshop on the DVD is 10 to 25 minutes, he said.

He also discussed the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. It is free to register for e-mails, which contain “any new changes [regarding tax policy] as they come out, as they’re signed into law,” said Torres.

Thomas Morley, of SBDC serving Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, stated “There’s a ton of stuff out there. The government has tried to address many sectors, many needs.”

The “shovel ready” projects, projects that are ready to begin, are more likely to get aid and assistance, he said.

“No one’s going to line up and ask you what you want…you still have to make the sales effort…you can’t give up the sales side. It’s not a give away program,” said Morley.

An example Morley gave was the $744 million dollars that has been set aside to assist small producing farmers.

There are short-term fixes and trade-offs, he said.

“Ask people for help. It is out there,” he stated.

During the question and answer part of the program, one business owner commented there seems to be a disconnect to what the presenters were saying and what the banks are saying, which was met with applause.

“Some banks are starting to get their acts together,” said Morley.

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Charles North, who facilitated the program, said “Start spreading your wings a little bit. You’re the customer. You’re the customer.”

Alexandra Laubacker is co-owner of Integrated Enterprise Solutions, Inc. in Wappingers Falls. Her company is a computer consulting company.

“It was good to get faces with names and specifics,” commented Laubacker after the meeting.