ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Congressman Nick Langworthy of New York's 23rd Congressional District spent the day visiting businesses and constituents across the Southern Tier on Monday, May 8th. On his first trip, Langworthy spoke to Nurses at Arnot Ogden Hospital for National Nurses Week followed by meeting with small business entrepreneurs for National Small Business Week.

"So, we went through the facility [at the hospital], saw every department, but also go to show appreciation and thank our nurses that were on the front lines every single day. They've been through an awful lot these few years," said Langworthy (R-NY23).

At Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, Langworthy toured the six-floor facility and met with several nurses from each specialty. Langworthy visited units including, but not limited to neo-natal intensive care, outpatient surgery, and the Emergency Room. 

The congressman additionally visited downtown Elmira at the Elmira Coffee and Tea House (ETCH) to meet with local small businesses. During the meeting, Langworthy made it a point to say small businesses are just as important as big businesses. 

 

"Listening to what they are seeing on the frontlines. These conversations are really important to me because it helps me take their perspective, perspective in our community, back to Washington," Langworthy said. 

Langworthy's conversation included topics about energy concerns, his views on what he calls over-regulation, and staffing shortages.

According to Langworthy's office, the visits were part of an effort by Langworthy to visit all of his districts to speak with locals and businesses that support their communities. 

Langworthy's third stop of the day was to Horseheads Brewing Seneca Lake, where he met with small business owners from Schuyler County, local leaders and members with the Chamber of Commerce.

He said he wanted to visit locally-owned places across the Southern Tier, to coincide with National Small Business Week last week. He took questions about federal energy policies, the national debt limit, and the challenges of finding workers in a tough labor environment.

He ended the visit with a group photo overlooking Seneca Lake.