Senator Hillary Clinton Visits Alternatives CU, Praises CU's Small Business Efforts

ITHACA, N.Y. – Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) visited the $47 million Alternatives FCU on October 25 to recognize Alternatives’ recent $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institution fund. The CDFI money will go to help Alternatives continue to grow its services and increase lending to small and micro businesses, according to the credit union. Senator Clinton has shown an interest in this sort of lending and development work. About 200 people were on hand to hear her brief remarks, the CU said. Before speaking to the community, Clinton walked through the credit union lobby where 20 small business members had set up displays for her to view. From an organic farmer to a pastry chef and barbecue ribs restaurant owner, each member business had an opportunity to discuss small business with Clinton. While speaking to the community, Senator Clinton praised the credit union for its devotion to small and micro-businesses. “Now, more than ever, Alternatives Federal Credit Union is a much-needed resource for New York’s entrepreneurs. This most recent award is further proof that Alternatives is an invaluable tool that will continue to help stimulate economic activity in the region.” She continued, “We need anything we can in a globally competitive market like ours, where we are losing so many jobs, and where we need to create good paying jobs to take their place. The biggest engine for that will be small-business growth, so we need to do more, not less, to support small business, and Alternatives is showing us how to do that.” -