Senate candidate Mark Kelly talks small business funds

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Democratic candidate Mark Kelly is keeping a close eye on Arizona's small businesses as he eyes a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Commander Kelly said his priority is addressing the issues surrounding access to, and disbursement of, funds for small businesses hit hardest by the outbreak.

“The challenge is to get access to the money and Washington DC needs to do a better job not only getting the small business administration to not only administer these programs and then provide oversight to make sure the right business owners are getting it and there isn’t any abuse of the system,” said Kelly.

He said if he was in the senate right now, he'd focus on fixing the small business administration.

“We’ve got to get the SBA, small business administration to function in a way to get the money that small businesses qualify for into their accounts. I’ve heard from small business owners across the state that I’ve reached out to and that have reached out to me the system currently isn’t working,” explained Kelly.

He explained, given the opportunity, he'd be on the phone with the SBA's administrator addressing what needs to be fixed.

Kelly's concerns extend beyond businesses.

He also tells me, he wants to make sure rural communities, like Yuma, get the supplies and support they need during times of crisis.

“More rural communities have been treated somewhat unfairly and that needs to be fixed. The hospital in Yuma needs to make sure they are getting all the protective gear they need. The federal government needs to be doing a better job at this and making sure that all communities are treated fairly," explained Kelly.

Tune in at 5 p.m. for a full report.