MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

• Per Mar acquires Nebraska security provider
• Poll: One in four small businesses on brink of closing
• IWD offers updates on unemployment supports
• Latest coronavirus updates, 4/6/20
• Reynolds appoints new justice to Iowa Supreme Court
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
Per Mar acquires Nebraska security provider
Per Mar Security Services, a Davenport-based provider of security solutions for residential and commercial clients, has announced its acquisition of GT Fire & Security, based in Grand Island, Nebraska.

GT Fire & Security will be merged with Per Mar’s Midwest Alarm Services business. Founders Gary and Tracy Hesman and the company’s technicians will join the Midwest Alarm Services team, and continue to provide service from their Grand Island office.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“This is a merger of two companies who prize their employees and customers above all else,” said Doug Richard, president of Midwest Alarm Services. “By combining operations, both Midwest Alarm Services and GT will be able to improve their delivery of products and services.”

Per Mar is the largest family-owned security company in the Midwest, with more than 2,300 team members and 23 branch locations, including in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The company has been growing its footprint in Nebraska, most recently through its November 2019 acquisition of NECO Security in Lincoln .
Poll: One in four small businesses on brink of closing
A new U.S. Chamber of Commerce-MetLife report reveals that one in four small businesses say they are two months or less from closing permanently amid the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while one in 10 say they are less than a month away from that outcome.

Thirty-five percent of respondents said they expect to be able to keep operating for three months to a year, while 28% said they can continue operating indefinitely. Thirteen percent said they don't know.

The findings, from a poll taken March 25-28, also show that roughly 25% businesses have already shut down temporarily in response to the coronavirus. Among those that have not, 40% say they are likely to close at least temporarily within the next two weeks.

When asked what proposals might offer the most relief, small businesses indicated support for three key provisions included in the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including direct cash payments to Americans, loans and financial aid, and suspending payroll taxes.

“As the poll results show, small business owners are looking for loans and financial aid to ensure they do not have to shut their doors or go bankrupt because of the coronavirus,” said Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the U.S Chamber of Commerce, in a release. “American banks are ready to help, but they need clear guidelines from the administration. American banks will be on the front lines to help businesses survive during this pandemic.”

Other key findings include:

  • 54% of small business owners now rate the overall health of the U.S. economy as “poor,” and 32% feel the same about their local economy.
  • 59% of small business owners feel comfortable with their cash flow, compared to 80% last quarter.
  • The most common business responses to the COVID-19 disruption are shortening hours of operation (30%), temporarily closing (24%) and adjusting employee salaries or hours (17%).
  • Looking toward the future, small businesses still see some grounds for optimism, with 23% expecting to hire in the next year.

Read the full report here .

IMAGE: A chart showing the percentage of survey respondents by size category and length of time in business when asked how long they can keep operating before shutting down permanently. CREDIT US CHAMBER/METLIFE
IWD offers updates on unemployment supports
Iowa Workforce Development is offering more details on the benefits available to workers through the CARES Act, which provides unemployment benefits for the self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, gig economy workers, those who have exhausted other unemployment insurance benefits and those who may not have sufficient work history to qualify for a regular state claim.

The CARES Act also includes eligibility for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits in any amount to be paid an additional $600 weekly benefit, according to IWD. The agency says it is now “aligning resources and technology to create the necessary processes to be able to pay qualified individuals,” and estimates that will occur within the next 10 days.

IWD also offered the following updates on the CARES Act unemployment insurance benefit programs:

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) : The FPUC program provides individuals who are collecting regular Unemployment Compensation (UC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Extended Benefits (EB), Short Time Compensation (STC), Trade Readjustment Act (TRA), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and payments under the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program with an additional $600 per week.

The first week a claimant can be compensated on this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the last week is the week ending July 25, 2020. If the employee’s company receives a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program and places an employee back on the payroll, they will no longer be eligible for unemployment or FPUC benefits.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) : This program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees and gig economy workers, as well as to individuals working part-time, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits under the law.

A claimant can be compensated with this benefit beginning Feb. 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending Dec. 26, 2020. This benefit also applies to anyone who has exhausted all unemployment insurance payment options at the state or federal level, including the PEUC program.  

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) : The PEUC program provides up to 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to individuals who have exhausted regular unemployment benefits under state or federal law, or have no rights to regular unemployment benefits under state or federal law. The first week a claimant can be compensated on this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the last payable week is the week ending Dec. 26, 2020. 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The PPP provides a loan to businesses with fewer than 500 employees to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Administration will forgive these loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Employees of businesses that take advantage of the PPP who are recalled to work (or are being paid full-time pay and benefits) are not eligible for unemployment benefits, and if they have a current claim, they should update their claim appropriately to reflect the day they were no longer eligible for unemployment benefits. For more information on the PPP, click here .

IWD notes that none of the benefits described above, nor unemployment benefits of any kind, are available to employees who quit their job, refuse to return to work or refuse to receive full-time pay. Attempts to collect payments after quitting a job could be viewed as fraudulent and will be further investigated. The CARES Act specifically provides for serious consequences for fraudulent cases including fines, confinement and an inability to receive future unemployment benefits until all fraudulent claims and fines have been repaid.

The agency will also be conducting webinars for claimants and employers in the upcoming week that will include information on these new CARES Act program benefits. An updated FAQ can also be found at iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov .
Latest coronavirus updates, 4/6/20
Ed. note: The CBJ is working hard to keep you up to date on the latest coronavirus news. We’re publishing a short roundup each day of notable cancellations, closures, changes and more. Send your tips and releases to [email protected] to help us stay up to date. See our ongoing thread with collected updates here .

The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported 946 confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the state, including 381 in the Corridor. Twenty-five have died, 99 are currently hospitalized, and 80 have been discharged and are recovering. As of April 5, there have been 9,973 negative COVID-19 tests in the state. Regularly updated information from the IDPH can be found here .

The Cedar Rapids Assessor’s Office has announced an extension in the deadline to appeal property assessments, due to action from the Iowa Department of Revenue. Assessment notices were mailed on March 30 to Cedar Rapids property owners whose assessments have changed since last year, informing them of the Jan. 1, 2020, assessment. Formal protests may now be filed with the local Board of Review until June 5. The previous deadline was April 30. Property owners may contact the Cedar Rapids City Assessors office to request a review by calling (319) 286-5888 or email at [email protected] . The form to petition to the Board of Review can be found on the city assessor’s website or you can contact the assessor’s office to request the form. 

The city of Marion has issued an order prohibiting garage sales, yard sales and other in-person, private sales until the March 21 COVID-19 emergency declaration expires or is cancelled. The order does not apply to phone or online transactions such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or other buy, sell or trade forums, so long as the in-person portion of the transaction occurs only between the buyers and sellers of a particular item or items. The order also does not apply to people or businesses ordinarily engaged in for-profit transactions of a similar nature that are not closed by another order. 

Mercy Medical Center has established a second dedicated location to care for patients with respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. Patients needing appointments or testing for respiratory illness will be directed by their medical provider to either the new site at MercyCare Prairie Creek, 777 76th Ave. Dr. SW in Cedar Rapids, or the previously established clinic at MercyCare Marion Urgent Care, 3701 Katz Drive in Marion. These respiratory clinics are available for patients with a referral only and not walk-in appointments. Patients should work through their primary care provider or an urgent care clinic for an initial video visit or assessment over the phone to determine the next steps for their care.

The American Heart Association has announced it will move its annual Johnson County Heart Walk to a virtual walk and run event. On June 20, Iowa City-area Heart Walk participants are invited to get moving at home or around the neighborhood starting at 8 a.m. Participants can register at www.johnsoncountyiaheartwalk.org . From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join in via e-mail or on social media.

Pool Tech has initiated curbside pick-up services for chemical orders and water testing, the company announced. Customers should call (319) 221-9121 or email [email protected] to arrange for pickups. The company’s Cedar Rapids location remains open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, but the service department is operating with increased precautions.
Reynolds appoints new justice to Iowa Supreme Court
Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Matthew McDermott as the newest justice on the Iowa Supreme Court.

Mr. McDermott currently practices law with Belin McCormick P.C. in Des Moines. He serves as president of the board of directors of Iowa Legal Aid and has been an active leader in numerous other community organizations. Mr. McDermott received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa.

“I’m deeply honored by this appointment, and grateful for the confidence the governor has shown in me,” Mr. McDermott said in a release. “I will work every day to be a faithful servant of the Constitution and the laws of this great state, and to carry out the oath to ‘administer justice according to the law, equally’ to everyone.”

Mr. McDermott is the governor’s fourth appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court. He fills the vacancy that arose because of the retirement of Justice David Wiggins.
Connect with the CBJ

The CBJ’s mission of informing and connecting the Corridor’s business community is more important than ever. Our news operations will continue researching and reporting on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through our multiple distribution channels. Here’s how you can connect with us today and moving forward:

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Short Term Event Planner
 
April 7
Employment Law Tips: COVID-19, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 9-10 a.m., online. Attorneys from Lynch Dallas PC will discuss employment law tips related to COVID-19, including wage and hour concerns, unemployment concerns, remote work policies and more. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3awoDxk .
 
Nonprofit Industry Q&A, by BerganKDV, 9:30-10:30 a.m., online. Marie Primus, shareholder and nonprofit industry expert, will discuss how the recent changes and legislation are impacting the nonprofit world. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2JyzniJ .
 
Corridor Rising 2.0 Business Support Series , by Corridor Business Journal, noon-1 p.m., online. Learn how to market your business during a crisis from local experts Lori Davis of Amperage, Rob Miller of Homegrown Media Company and Jen Neumann of de Novo Marketing. Watch live on Facebook or participate on Zoom. Free. To register, visit corridorbusiness.com/events .

Agribusiness Industry Q&A, by BerganKDV, 1:30-2:30 p.m., online. Mike Regan, shareholder and agribusiness industry expert, will discuss how the recent changes and legislation are impacting the industry. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2UPqpTx .
 
Washington Business Hangout , by Washington Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Washington, 2 p.m., online. Washington Chamber members are invited to a Google Hangout to address ways to proactively promote community businesses. Hangouts will be held each Tuesday and Thursday. Free. To join, visit meet.google.com/fiu-sfok-daq or dial in to (219) 401-0636 (PIN 264113127#).
 
April 7-8
2020 ICR Iowa Conference, by Iowa Lead Change, all day, online. This annual conference is moving to an online format. Registered attendees will receive a link via email to ​attend the virtual conference, along with a digital program that includes full agenda and speaker information. For more information, visit wlcglobal.org .

April 8
RSM Business Resources Webinar, by RSM US LLP, noon, online. This webinar will be geared toward business leaders hoping to learn how to weather the coronavirus crisis. Topics will include its economic impact, preparing for the future and mitigating risk. Free. To register, visit rsm.us/39kOfvA .
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Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9  
 
A Tiffin family is sharing the story of their 18-year-old son’s recovery from the coronavirus. In the span of about a week, Dimitri Mitchell went from enjoying a quick weekend trip with friends to Lansing in Allamakee County, during his last spring break of high school, to feeling like he “had been hit by a truck.” “This was definitely the most sick I’ve ever felt in my life,” Mitchell, a senior at Clear Creek Amana High School, said. “I usually get a pretty bad cold every year, at least once a year, but this was definitely the worst thing I’ve ever experienced.” Shortly after returning home to Tiffin from that trip, 18-year-old Mitchell said he became sick, starting with a cough. “The cough started getting worse, and then the other symptoms came after that, like the fever and the sweating and stuff like that,” he said. Read the full story here.

The KCRG-TV9 morning team welcomes Jay Greene to the co-anchor chair. Greene began his role Monday morning, joining Jackie Kennon and First Alert Storm Team Meteorologist Kaj O’Mara as part of the weekday morning team for KCRG-TV9 First News, Early Morning News and Morning News. He takes the spot of Nicole Agee, who is launching TV9's new newscast KCRG-TV9 News First at 4 starting at 4 p.m. Monday. Greene joined the KCRG-TV9 newsroom in November 2018 as a reporter and digital editor. He moved to the morning shift in January 2019 where he continued his duties on the web as well as fill-in anchoring and reporting. Greene, a native of Maryland, began his broadcasting career in 2015 at KKCO-KJCT, KCRG-TV9's sister station in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he reported and anchored.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
Plan on plenty of clouds across our area today. Highs will generally be in the upper 50s to lower 60s for many of us. A few showers will be possible as well, though amounts will stay light overall. Looking ahead, it'll be warmer tomorrow in the 70s with only a slight chance of a shower or storm popping up in the afternoon. Tomorrow likely represents the warmest air of at least the next 10 days. Wednesday, a cold front approaches from the west and it's this front that really takes us down for the end of the week. A few showers are expected along the front Wednesday afternoon.