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IHRSA: Success By Association<\/p>\nIHRSA: Success By Association<\/p>\n
BOSTON, MA<\/strong> – The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced it has joined America\u2019s Recovery Fund Coalition, an alliance of more than 100 trade associations and business organizations advocating for a grant-based federal assistance program to power the resilience of American enterprise. Together, the coalition\u2019s members span 30 business sectors and employ 45% of the nation\u2019s workforce, more than 58 million workers.<\/p>\n “Health clubs were among the first businesses mandated to close due to the pandemic and among the hardest hit, with few alternative revenue streams to keep them going,\u201d said Joe Moore, president and CEO of IHRSA. \u201cThrough no fault of their own, America’s health clubs find themselves in danger of going out of business. America’s Recovery Fund is the solution that could save health clubs and businesses across the country hard hit by this pandemic. That is why IHRSA is proud to join this coalition and work to save America’s businesses, jobs, and bright future.”<\/p>\n In a letter sent to President Trump, congressional leaders, and the Secretary of the Treasury, the coalition noted:<\/p>\n \u201cToday we are announcing the creation of America\u2019s Recovery Fund Coalition, a group of over 100 organizations advocating for a grant-based federal assistance program to power the resilience of American enterprise. America\u2019s Recovery Fund Coalition includes members representing more than 30 business sectors that together employ 58 million Americans and comprising more than 45 percent of the private workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n The coalition went on to state:<\/p>\n \u201cExisting programs like the Paycheck Protection Program were a well-intentioned effort to help defray the impact of the COVID-19 economic crisis, but we must build upon the current options and address the overwhelming need for additional capital support to businesses. A broad-based, efficient recovery fund that does not pick winners and losers is the best path forward. Without such a fund, our retailers, theatres, restaurants, and many other industries will be decimated\u2014and our communities will be poorer both economically and culturally as a result.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica\u2019s Recovery Fund Coalition believes Congress must urgently create a federal direct assistance fund to provide rapid liquidity to businesses impaired by the COVID-19 national emergency. We believe the fund should be designed to help businesses maintain ongoing capital obligations during the prolonged crisis and the next months of economic healing, enabling employees to continue receiving pay, maintain benefits, and helping employers rehire former employees while workplaces get back on their feet and safely reopen to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCastle Hill Fitness is a small, local business focused on enhancing the quality of life. We\u2019re committed to serving the community, conducting live-stream classes while closed and creating more private spaces in our facility so our staff and members can feel safe when we reopen,\u201d said IHRSA Board of Directors member Michele Melkerson-Granryd, a cancer exercise specialist and general manager of Castle Hill Fitness in Austin, TX. \u201cOur income has dramatically decreased\u2014and I expect will continue for some time as people are concerned about resuming their usual activities for fear of infection. Knowing there is a Recovery Fund to help cover our losses like this will give us the confidence to continue our efforts to support our community.\u201d<\/p>\n To read the full letter, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To see the full list of America\u2019s Recovery Fund Coalition members, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n