Above: Gottheimer with CEO of Planet Networks Robert Boyle.

NEWTON, NJ – On August 3, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a virtual event on Facebook Live with the CEO of Fifth District-based Planet Networks, Robert Boyle, who has previously been honored as a Fifth District Hometown Hero. Gottheimer recently assisted Boyle’s Sussex County small business — an internet service provider — in applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Boyle had taken part in a virtual event hosted by the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, where Gottheimer explained some tips and offered help to Fifth District businesses having trouble accessing the small business PPP loans. Boyle was able to get information and finally be approved to receive the federal support.

“I want to thank everyone for tuning in to this special event that will help lift some spirits and highlight the work we’ve been doing, as well as the work Robert has done for the community,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “North Jersey has already been hit hard enough. I want to make sure our businesses, workers, their families, and our communities can recover. It’s critical that we continue to claw back support and resources for our small businesses — they are the backbone of our communities.”

Boyle has been a pioneer for internet service in Sussex County, founding his business originally in 1994, to provide access and services to a small and under-served rural community.

During the current crisis, Boyle and his business have donated more than 15,000 surgical masks, 9,000 N95 respirators, 2,000 face shields, several hundred protective suits, thousands of surgical gloves, and 3,000 bouffant caps to hospitals and organizations throughout the Fifth District.

Watch today’s virtual event HERE.

In Congress, Gottheimer recently led a bipartisan initiative urging Congressional leadership to allow small businesses to apply for a second round of PPP, and urging increased transparency into how taxpayer dollars are being disbursed through PPP, as well as improved oversight and accuracy. Gottheimer recently announced estimated federal investment from the bipartisan CARES Act     

Gottheimer recently announced estimated federal investment from the bipartisan CARES Act that has helped the Fifth District’s counties and towns to date, based on the most recent public data. The Fifth District portion of Sussex County has received an estimated $277 million — averaging to $2,900 per Fifth District Sussex resident. This takes into account the estimated $112 million in direct payments to residents in the entire county, the estimated $220 million in PPP to the entire county, and the estimated $80 million to the entire, as well as direct federal grants going to Sussex County non-profits, food banks, and technical schools.

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