This morning, Senator Warner had breakfast with a small group of business owners, lenders, and entrepreneurs at Zazzy'z Coffee Shop in Abingdon.

The conversation focused mostly on the help small businesses receive through the economic recovery package.  Specifically, they wondered when the emergency loans program authorized in the stimulus plan will begin.

The economic recovery package allocated $255 million to fund the America's Recovery Capital (ARC) program, which will guarantee loans up to $35,000 to small businesses  "experiencing  financial hardship."  The interest on the loans will be subsidized through the stimulus package.

"But right now, no one can get this money because no qualification guidelines have been made," said Glenda Richardson of Marion, owner of Advantage Car Rentals, who is looking to expand her business into Wythe County.

Senator Warner said he was frustrated that the details of the program haven't yet been worked out and said that he will find an answer once he goes back to Washington.

They also talked about the burden of health care for small business owners who struggle to afford insurance for their employees.  Senator Warner said that health care reform is an economic imperative that he hopes to address in the coming months.

UPDATE: Southwest Virginia Today's Caitlin Sullivan wrote this report from the breakfast session:

John Rock of First Bank & Trust said he’s concerned about the unemployment rate that’s hit double digits in some parts of Southwest Virginia.

Warner said compared to the rest of the state Southwest Virginia is doing relatively well especially in regards to the real estate market that’s up 6 percent.

“I think by mid-June and July we ought to see this bottom out,” Warner said. “Stimulus money will be flowing. I hope.”

Click here to read the whole report.