Chamber Travels to D.C. for 2025 Advocacy Campaign
On Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12, 2025, representatives from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce traveled to Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings with federal lawmakers and key stakeholders. During the annual visit, the Chamber advocated for the pressing needs of Staten Island’s business community and advanced priorities that support local economic development.
The Chamber’s D.C. delegation included business and nonprofit leaders representing a cross-section of Staten Island’s economic and civic landscape. Among them were Linda Baran and Tina Berbari of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Tatiana Arguello of Nonprofit Staten Island; Ram Cherukuri of New York Fragrance Inc.; Carol Decina of National Grid; Janet Magnuson of Richmond Home Needs; Janie Monger of the Staten Island Museum; Regina Poreda Ryan of CMW Strategies; Henry Salmon of Equity Valuation Associates; Frank Scarangello of SCARAN; Joseph Torres of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; and Frank Wilkinson of Rab’s Country Lanes.
The delegation met with Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. In addition to these key lawmakers, the Chamber held discussions with representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration. These conversations focused on Staten Island’s infrastructure needs, small business challenges, and the critical role of federal funding and policy support.
A fact sheet and data from a recent Chamber membership survey were shared with officials to provide insight into the most pressing issues facing local businesses. Small business advocacy focused on tariff relief, tax policy reform, and restoration of the SALT deduction to stimulate local economic activity. The delegation also highlighted infrastructure needs such as smart traffic signals, expanded bus rapid transit along the North Shore, the establishment of a new ferry route, and measures to ease the burden of congestion pricing on Staten Island commuters.
Chief among the Chamber’s funding requests were $500,000 to support implementation of its HR Services program, and $3 million for the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN). Both programs are designed to enhance local business operations and sustainability.
The Chamber used this opportunity not only to advocate, but to listen—to gather input from federal partners and explore future opportunities for collaboration. Each meeting helped strengthen relationships and reinforced the message that Staten Island’s needs are urgent, diverse, and worthy of attention.
This year’s advocacy trip underscored the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to elevating the voice of Staten Island’s business community on the national stage. The Chamber looks forward to building on the momentum of these conversations and continuing its mission to drive growth, resilience, and opportunity in the borough.
