CHICAGO, IL (March 17, 2020)—Last week, International Carwash Association (ICA) joined nine other nonprofit trade associations from across the car care industry in petitioning Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives for immediate aid to small businesses and their employees. Today, the coalition expanded its appeal to include the National Governors Association as a way of reaching state executive branches.
All ten associations in the coalition represent small business trades that cannot switch their core functions to remote operation during the outbreak of COVID-19. The businesses represented by these associations provide automotive services that keep our most common form of transportation safe and clean, food services, and the necessities of everyday living. “These employers and their employees need immediate support to protect their health and safety, their customers’ health and safety, and their short- and long-term economic viability,” the letter stated.
“The letter requests some actions that will address top of mind concerns for car wash operators as this pandemic unfolds,” said Eric Wulf, ICA Chief Executive Officer. “Car wash businesses are not capable of remote function, but their bottom lines will be drastically affected as the country follows recommendations to quarantine and stay in place. This coalition of associations believes that to help our industry survive this disruption, disaster relief will be needed.”
The letter to federal leadership is available to read here and includes requests for federal assistance, such as child care subsidy, mortgage assistance plans, and tax exemptions. The letter to state leadership is available to read here.
The coalition of associations includes: the Auto Care Association (ACA), Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), California Autobody Association (CAA), California Automotive Business Coalition (CalABC), Independent Automotive Professionals (IAP), Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA), International Carwash Association (ICA), Service Station Dealers of America And Allied Trades (SSDA), and the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
Car wash operators are urged to reach out to their own representatives to share their opinion on behalf of small business owners and their employees.