Peters Visits BAJ Glass in Flushing, Highlights Need for More Federal Support for Michigan Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

FLUSHING, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited BAJ Glass, which manufactures protective cases, floor signs, high quality face shields and protect barriers in Flushing. During this pandemic, BAJ Glass has produced and delivered over 15,000 personal protective face shields. While touring their facility, Peters highlighted his ongoing efforts to support Michigan small businesses and reaffirmed his push for more federal funding to support small businesses and the need for another Coronavirus relief package.

“In the face of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, small businesses in mid-Michigan and across our state have stepped up and shifted their operations to produce vital supplies and equipment,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “Small business owners and the countless hardworking Michiganders they employ have helped lead the charge in Coronavirus response efforts – and it is now more important than ever that we have their backs. That’s why I have fought for and helped enact funding to support our small businesses, and I will continue pressing for more federal resources because they are critical to our communities and economy.”

“As the Coronavirus forced us to significantly adjust our daily operations, our dedicated employees—along with volunteers—have worked nonstop to produce high quality face shields for health care and frontline workers, as well as first responders,” said Brian Bowden, Owner, BAJ Glass. “We were pleased to have Senator Peters speak with our team about the work we’re doing and tour our facility, and we appreciate his efforts in the Senate to support Michigan small businesses.”

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Peters has led numerous efforts to support Michigan small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and continued advocating for more federal resources. Recently, he called for federal help for small businesses after President Trump announced executive actions that fall short of what Michigan needs and does not do anything to support small businesses. Last month, Peters cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would create a loan program to provide funding to jump-start the hardest-hit small and medium-sized businesses for the remainder of 2020 and providing loan forgiveness as a backstop against ongoing economic challenges. Peters also led the fight this past April to ensure funding for small community-based lenders, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to support minority owned small businesses that was signed into law. Additionally, Peters pressed for and helped secure funding for small businesses as part of the CARES Act.

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