Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Tele-Townhall Call with U. S, Congressman Joyce

Monday, June 1 st  at 10:00 a.m.

Email ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com to register and receive the call in information.

Main Street Lending Program Resources
 
The Main Street Lending Program is designed to provide support to medium-sized and small businesses and their employees across the U.S. during the current period of financial strain. The program is designed to help credit flow to businesses that were in good financial condition but now need loans to help until they have recovered from, or adapted to, the impacts of the pandemic. The availability of additional credit is intended to help companies maintain their operations and payroll until conditions improve.
As there has been a lot of interest in the MSLP, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is hosting information sessions for borrowers and lenders. Please feel free to share this information with interested constituents.

Borrowers
Friday, May 29th at 11:00 a.m. EST
This  webinar  is an opportunity for potential borrowers in the Main Street Lending Program to learn more about the program and ask questions to senior officials from the Federal Reserve.
Borrowers
Wednesday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m. EST
This  drop-in session  is an opportunity for potential borrowers in the Main Street Lending Program to ask questions about the program to senior officials from the Federal Reserve.
Lenders
Thursday, June 4th at 2:00 p.m. EST
This  webinar   is an opportunity for potential lenders in the Main Street Lending Program to learn more details about the infrastructure and operations of the Main Street Lending Program.

Additional Resources:
  • The program’s operations website is now available at www.bostonfed.org/mslp. On this site, you can sign up to receive program updates by email.
  • The Board of Governors' website houses documentation of the program, notably FAQs and Term Sheets for the three facilities in the program: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/mainstreetlending.htm.
  • The Boston Fed has a program mailbox where constituents can pose questions: mslp@bos.frb.org.
  • The Boston Fed has also produced a shareable digital/mobile “one pager” that can be used on websites and in responding to constituent requests. A printable/downloadable PDF version is available at www.bostonfed.org/mslp-overview.
REMINDER: What Does it Mean to Go Yellow?

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s  website  has helpful resources and guidance for businesses in the yellow phase, including:
 

Businesses conducting in-person operations or serving the public must make employees and customers aware of the Commonwealth’s guidance that keeps people at their establishment safe.  
 
Businesses must do so by printing, signing, and posting the “ COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses ” flyer on their premises. Businesses must post the signed flyer in employee common space and, if the business serves the public, the business must also post the flyer near the business’s public entrance(s) in prominent location(s).
 
In addition, businesses are required to publicly acknowledge their responsibility to conduct their operations to ensure the health and safety of employees. Businesses must sign the flyer on the space provided. The signature is an acknowledgement that the owner or management is aware of the COVID-19 safety procedures and understands their responsibilities to carry out the guidance and procedures.
 
Additional printable posters promoting health and safety in the workplace can be found on the  Pennsylvania Department of Health’s   website .   These posters  should be displayed when and where feasible.
 
What is and is not permitted in the yellow phase?
As regions or counties move into the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction will ease while others, such as closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place. The yellow phase is designed to begin to power back up Pennsylvania’s economy, while keeping a close eye on public health data to ensure that the spread of disease remains as contained as possible.
 
Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions:
·   Employees that have been teleworking must continue to do so
·   Businesses with in-person operations must follow Business and Building Safety Orders
·   Child care facilities may open but must comply with guidance
·   Congregate care and prison restrictions remain in place
·   Schools remain closed for in-person instruction
 
Social Restrictions:
·   Stay at home order lifted for aggressive mitigation
·   Large gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited
·   In-person retail allowed, curbside and delivery preferred
·   Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) remain closed
·   Restaurants and bars limited to carry-out and delivery only
·          
All businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning.
 
As we work to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth and  facilitate a return to a “new normal,” it will be equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum.
 
Progress may not be linear, and outbreaks of disease may delay or reverse movement toward reopening. Businesses and organizations should continue to monitor the conditions in their region and should be prepared to adjust as counties move amongst the three reopening phases.
 
Thank you for your efforts to help all Pennsylvanians stay healthy and safe.
REMINDER: To Wear a Mask or Not to Wear a Mask

We've been receiving questions about wearing masks and have also heard conflicting information on this. Click here for the Governor's order. Along with a lot of useful information, It states the following:

"10) provide masks for employees to wear during their time at the business, and make it a mandatory requirement to wear masks while on the work site, except to the extent an employee is using break time to eat or drink, in accordance with the guidance from the Department of Health and the CDC. Employers may approve masks obtained or made by employees in accordance with Department of Health guidance;"
 
"(6) require all customers to wear masks while on premises, and deny entry to individuals not wearing masks, unless the business is providing medication,medical supplies, or food, in which case the business must provide alternative methods of pick-up or delivery of such goods; however, individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition (including children under the age of 2 years per CDC guidance) may enter the premises and are not required to provide documentation of such medical condition;"

The confusion seems to be whether or not it is a law. Laws are passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor so by that definition, no it is not a law. However, it is an order of the Governor which he cites his emergency powers to institute and enforce just like the business closures.

You may also find these frequently asked questions helpful.

We thank Representative Irvin's and Senator Ward's offices for helping us clear up the confusion.
REMINDER: Things to Consider if Reopening Prior to
the Governor's Authorization

Elected officials in several Pennsylvania counties, including Huntingdon County, have indicated plans to deviate from the Governor's businesses shutdown order and expedite the timeline for businesses to resume operations.
 
The Governor responded to these announcements with threats to withhold federal funding from these counties and revoke licenses or permits from businesses who violate the state order. The Administration also warned that commercial insurance will not cover claims for businesses that resume operations prior to state authorization. 
 
Many employers are tragically facing an existential dilemma of either resuming operations and risking punishment or remaining closed and possibly shuttering forever.
 
Here are some things to consider if you do plan to reopen prior to the Governor giving authorization to do so.
 
·          Whenever a business resumes operations, whether based on state or county direction, they are responsible for the health and safety of their employees and customers and must be prepared to comply with federal and state workplace safety guidelines . The PA Chamber's   Bringing PA Back website   includes helpful information for employers in general and industry-specific guidance.
 
·        The Governor's threats to revoke licenses and permits should not be taken lightly – the Commonwealth   administers over 250 types of professional licenses  c overing a wide range of industries.  Employers are encouraged to consult with an attorney and understand the ramifications of their decisions. 
 
·        Despite the Governor's broad statement regarding insurance, it's likely coverage and consideration of claims will be fact-specific and vary based on policy . Employers are encouraged to contact their insurance carrier and inquire whether operating under these circumstances could jeopardize coverage.
 
·          While the Governor's business shutdown order is being challenged in court, his authority has been upheld up to this point.  

State Police plan to enforce the Governor's orders . Click here to watch.

Here is the process if a business is reported for non-compliance/violation provided by the office of Representative Rich Irvin.


New page added to Huntingdon County Strong. Click here for the Road to Recovery.

PA Chamber Launches 'Bringing PA Back' Initiative Website


Guidance from trusted sources on workplace readiness – such as cleaning and safety standards; employment opportunities; industry-specific guidance; and policy recommendations that will help to revive Pennsylvania's economy. 

Map of the Commonwealth – identifying which phase of the re-opening process each county is currently in – along with an overview of the Wolf administration's guidance for each phase. 
Click here to download.
Click here to download.
Click here to download.


Click here to download the Independent Contractors Guide
to download
the Small Business Guide
& Checklist.
Click here to download.
Click here to download.
Click here to download.

No more applications are being accepted.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS


The U.S. Small Business Administration  is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

Currently not accepting applications.


The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to eligible small businesses during this time.



Huntingdon County Strong:
Business and Community Resources

Click graphic below.
Contact Us

Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO


MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director



Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
    
Stay Connected

Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation.