On March 16, INSTALL contractor Smith Flooring Inc. in Chester, Pennsylvania, hosted the new administration’s “Help is Here” Tour, designed to showcase how the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package will work to positively impact small and minority-owned businesses. 

President Biden met with Kristin Smith, co-owner and president of Smith Flooring and James Smith, co-owner and vice president of Smith Flooring to discuss how the relief package—including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)—helps millions of Americans and family-owned commercial flooring contractors maintain operations. Like many other flooring contractor businesses, Smith Flooring saw revenue decrease by 20% at the height of the pandemic. Once they applied for the PPP loan, they were able to retain their journeymen and upgrade technology to increase business efficiency.

“We were honored to host this special event with President Biden," Kristin Smith said. "It signifies the promise the new administration made to small and family-owned businesses, like ours, guaranteeing that help is on the way."

"The PPP loan allowed us to not only sustain our operations, but it will also enable us to continue to grow our business,” James Smith stated. “Being selected as the first stop is a testament to our craftsmanship, the quality of service we provide, and demonstrates the strength the union provides to family-owned shops."

As a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and an INSTALL contractor, Smith Flooring launched its business in 2006, co-founded by James Smith and his wife Kristin Smith. The company installs flooring in commercial environments such as healthcare, education, retail, and government facilities in the greater Philadelphia area.

“INSTALL provides value to union contractors big and small, providing an invaluable resource to help them win business and deliver reliable and professional flooring installations,” said John T. McGrath Jr., INSTALL executive director. “On behalf of INSTALL and the union we congratulate Smith Flooring on receiving the high honor of hosting the President.”