Maintaining a thriving equine industry is vital to the health of the New York State economy. According to The New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, “The equine industry has a $4.2 billion effect on the state’s economy and generates 33,000 full-time jobs. Equine commerce also results in $187 million in state and local taxes for New York. The thousands of horse farms, training centers and riding stables doing business across the state preserve 1.3 million acres of open space. There are 157,500 horses in New York.”
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted every American institution, industry and household. Some are fortunate enough to have the capacity to weather a period of hibernation but many independently owned and operated businesses, cannot withstand a prolonged hiatus – especially in instances where such businesses are responsible for the care and well-being of 157,500 living, breathing, dependent beings. Such is the plight of our equine rescue, boarding, and lesson facilities.
As of March 22, the Governor of New York ordered all non-essential businesses statewide to cease operation. Under the Executive order, the State of New York considers equine facilities to be among businesses deemed non-essential.
HORSEPOWER, Chair and Co-Founder, Karin Carreau notes that “While the closures are understandable given the current health crisis, the sudden loss of the financial mainstay of equine facilities- their training and lesson programs - has lain waste to a lifeblood of the state’s economy. They must be supported in the next stimulus package”.
“The initial federal CARES package included a number of vehicles for potential relief, but mostly excluded our state’s equine facilities as they do not qualify for all options and remain in need of assistance,” said Nancy Miller, Co-Founder of HORSEPOWER, INC. “As such, we are urging Congress to champion these vital remedies to be included in the federal relief package.” Such as:
- Including equine facilities in the eligibility requirements for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs and make such eligibility clear in the expected forthcoming guidance,
- Including a pandemic in the list of qualifying events for the existing USDA disaster relief program loans. Currently, USDA disaster relief loans are only available in the event of a natural disaster, and
- Creating an Equine Disaster Relief Fund for the state’s boarding, lesson and rescue facilities. A $10 Million fund to be made available to the estimated nearly 2,000 boarding, lesson and rescue facilities across the state. To be administered, similar to the federal relief fund for the general public – in successive months following enactment to help mitigate a fraction of anticipated losses during the most difficult months. These payments will be made with the stipulation that they must go toward the operating, maintenance and care costs of the facilities and the equines.
We appreciate the magnitude of the task that lays before our representatives, but the equine industry is a centuries old mainstay of the New York economy that employs and provides therapy for some of the most vulnerable among us. We ask the New York delegation to fight to include our initiatives in the next relief package.
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HORSEPOWER, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated in New York State, working to assure the safety and well-being of equines through education, awareness and allies. It is the only statewide equine welfare organization focused solely on policy.