Let Me Be Blunt: Weekly Update from Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester banner image

Dear Friend,

This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrated its 71st birthday. For over seven decades, the SBA has been helping small businesses across our country grow and thrive. We know that small businesses are the economic engines of our communities, and I’ll continue to work across the aisle in Congress to ensure small businesses in Delaware and across the country have the support they need.

Delaware SBA Director Michelle Harris and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester in front of an SBA resource table at Blunt Rochester’s Constituent Resource Fair.

Above: Delaware SBA Director Michelle Harris and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester in front of an SBA resource table at Blunt Rochester’s Constituent Resource Fair.

Speaking of Delaware’s small businesses, I want to share a new opportunity from the Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB): the second round of 2024’s EDGE (Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion) Grant Competition is open! As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I’ve seen how entrepreneurs and small business owners have had trouble accessing capital – a critical component of starting or growing a business.

EDGE Grant Competition. Have you been in operation less than 7 years? Do you employ 10 people or fewer? Do you need capital to start or grow?

This competition will provide five STEM-based companies the opportunity to receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses while five Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses have the chance to receive up to $50,000. Since the program launched in 2019, DSB has awarded over $6.5 million to 100 small businesses in our state. For more information on eligibility, the application process, and deadlines, go to de.gov/edge.

This Week in Delaware

I’m proud to share that this week, I, along with Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, announced federal investments in our state’s transportation infrastructure, the prevention of substance use among our young people, and our regional supply chains.

Leading on Transportation Infrastructure

We secured over $2.7 million from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to replace the Bancroft Pedestrian Bridge in Wilmington that is in need of repair after being damaged by Hurricane Ida. The repairs will make the bridge more resilient to future flooding and extreme weather events. Read more about the announcement here.

Investing in Youth Substance Use Prevention Programs

Substance use, especially among our young people, devastates individuals and our communities. That’s why I was proud to share that three Delaware organizations will get a combined total of $375,000 from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Fiscal Year 2024 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program to assist with their on-the-ground youth substance use prevention programs. For more information on the organizations selected for funding, click here.

Championing Our Regional Supply Chains

In June, I was glad to join our Senators as well as local leaders and stakeholders to cut the ribbon on Delmarva Corrugated Packaging’s new Dover Facility. And this week, we announced a major investment of $1 million Delmarva Corrugated Packaging through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)! The program received funding from the Inflation Reduction Act that I championed in Congress and will allow Delmarva Corrugated Packaging to install solar panels to become more energy-efficient, helping to keep our regional supply chain moving and our economy growing. You can learn more about the funding here.

In case you missed it, WRDE highlighted legislation I just introduced with Congresswoman Susan DelBene of Washington called the Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events (PUDDLE) Act. During extreme weather, which the climate crisis is making more common, families shouldn't have to worry about their utilities being shut off. Watch a clip of the coverage here.

PACT Act Intent to File Reminder!

If you submitted a PACT Act Intent to File last year, you only have 365 days from when you submitted it to complete it and send it to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs! For more info and to check the status of your claim, click here.

PACT Act Intent to File Update! When you submit an Intent to File (ITF), you only have 365 from when you submitted it to complete it before the system makes you submit your forms again! Act now to ensure you can be considered for the backdated benefits you may be entitled to.

REMINDER: SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

SAVE THE DATES: August 15th (Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester's Constituent Resource Fair) and August 27th (Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester's Mobile Office Hours); Visit BluntRochester.house.gov for more info

My office is hosting another Constituent Resource Fair on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Wilmington University New Castle Campus in the Audrey K. Doberstein Admissions Center! Last year, more than 40 federal and state agencies, non-profits, and community organizations helped hundreds of Delawareans at our Fair. So, whether you’re having an issue with a federal agency or are looking for some community resources – we hope you can make it! For more information and to RSVP, click here.

I’m also excited to share that my office will be hosting our next mobile office hours at the Delmar Public Library on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Members of the casework team will be on hand to assist Delawareans who need help with federal agencies including passport and visa processing, securing your Social Security benefits, and getting your tax refund from the IRS. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

CALLING ALL STUDENTS: It’s Time to Take the Challenge!

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge is under way! This is a great opportunity for students interested in STEM to use their skills to solve the issues of today and tomorrow. Applications will be accepted now through October 24, 2024. To find out more info on how to sign up, please visit my website. You can also check out when I visited last year’s winners at their school to see one of the innovative projects first-hand.

Attention Delaware Students: It's time to take the challenge! The 2024 Congressional App Challenge. For more information on how to apply, visit bluntrochester.house.gov

Below are some helpful resources for you:

Lower Energy Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped pass last Congress, there are opportunities to lower your energy costs through tax credits and rebates. Check out energy.gov/save to learn more.
Calculate Your Potential Savings: The Biden-Harris Administration’s actions are helping to lower costs and put more money back into the pockets of Americans across the country. You can calculate your potential savings at Invest.gov/Savings.
Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up-to-date! You can go to travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to passportappointment.travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel. You can utilize this resource until September!
988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline.
Student Loan SAVE Program: The Biden Harris Administration announced the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan. This program is income-driven and calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any Income-Driven Repayment plan available to nearly all student borrowers. To apply for the SAVE Plan, go to studentaid.gov/idr.
U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more about at exchanges.state.gov/us.
Protecting Your Data: Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, legislation protecting the personal data of Delawareans, goes into effect on January 1, 2025. You can go to this website from the Delaware Department of Justice to find out how it will impact consumers, parents, and businesses in our state.

This week’s constituent corner celebrates Kenneth Boaten, a student at the best HBCU in the country, Delaware State University! Kenneth was recently selected as one of 91 scholars from across the country as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program, a partnership between the USDA and the 19 historically Black land-grant universities to build the next generation of agriculture professionals. Kenneth is an agriculture business major at DSU who will have the opportunity to intern with USDA Rural Development and grow his skills through this program. Congratulations, Kenneth!