For Immediate Release
Contact: L. Von Kuhen, 631-471-1215 x149 or lkuhen@cdcli.org

Community Development Corporation of Long Island President and CEO, Marianne Garvin Testifies before U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

May 12, 2009 --- Centereach, New York

At the request of Senate Committee Chairwoman Mary L. Landrieu, (D-La.), Ms. Garvin will testify before the Committee in Washington, DC tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13, 2009.   The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee (http://sbc.senate.gov) provides U.S. Senate oversight on the activities of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and promotes and protects small business interests in the United States.

CDC of Long Island has been providing small business loans and training for 13 years, and has been a microlender under the SBA Microloan Program since 2000.  Over the past 13 years, CDC has provided 562 loans to Long Island businesses, totaling more than $15,800,000.  Ms. Garvin will testify on the urgent needs of small businesses in today’s economy, and the importance of continuing to provide business training, technical assistance, and alternative finance with federal government support.

About Community Development Corporation of Long Island
CDC is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to extend participation in Long Island’s version of “The American Dream” to people whose circumstances have precluded that participation.  Since 1969, CDC has been assisting families and small businesses with services that support housing and economic development.  Last year, CDC served more than 7,300 Long Islanders investing nearly $73 million into their communities.  For additional information, please visit www.cdcli.org.