Business News
June 1, 2020
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Make Sure Your Polling Location Hasn't Moved
Because some polling places may be consolidated or relocated due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is important for all voters to double-check where they should go to vote before they head out to cast their ballots in the primary election on Tuesday.
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Recipients to
Receive Paper Checks
The Department of Labor and Industry recently uncovered cases of attempted fraud in which scammers tried to use the personal information of victims to file for benefits and route payments into their own bank accounts. In response to these cases, claimants in the
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
(PUA) system will now receive benefits via paper checks delivered through the U.S. Postal Service instead of receiving payments by direct deposit.
Anyone who receives a paper check in the mail who did not file for PUA benefits should return the uncashed check to:
Department of Treasury Comptroller’s Office
Attn: Mark Accorsi
Room 113, Finance Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
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Bringing PA Back: Business Readiness Webinar Series
Recordings and Material
This webinar series was very informative and is a great resource for you as you reopen your business.
Part I: Overview of State Guidelines and Review of Phased Opening
– the definitions of green, yellow and red guidelines as well as the latest updates from the state and national levels, including CDC guidance.
Part II: Prepare Your Workplace: Cleaning, Sanitation, PPE Equipment
– what sanitation protocols companies should follow before opening; what PPE equipment is required by employees and customers such as masks.
Handouts
Part III: Human Resources and Healthcare Considerations
– HR guidelines for employees and staff; setting up safety and travel policies, communicating to employees and customers; how to handle healthcare.
Handouts
Part IV: Litigation and Liability Issues in Reopening
– potential legal issues facing companies from all of the recent state and federal revised laws (UC, FMLA); best guidance to protect your business from issues arising from public concern/complaint/questions about compliancy.
Handouts
Part V: Recovery Process for Key Areas of Your Business
– a review of the many other areas companies must consider as they reopen, including financial guidance, IT and cybersecurity issues, supply chain and operations stability, customer demand planning and generation.
There is no recording available at this time.
Handouts
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As your business reopens, updates hours or has other news to share as far as operations, please send that information to
ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com
so that we can add it to, or correct what is already on our website.
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Chamber Signs Letter Urging Congress to Provide Safe Harbor
Frivolous or unwarranted lawsuits related to the pandemic are emerging as a growing threat to businesses, nonprofits and the economy in general. The Huntingdon County Chamber signed a letter sent to Congress that was prepared by the PA Chamber of Business and Industry requesting safe harbor for businesses following guidelines to do what is necessary to protect employees and customers.
Protecting employers from unwarranted lawsuits alleging exposure to the virus on a company’s premises or through their activities or products has become a growing concern. The nature of a pandemic usually makes it impossible to prove contraction occurred at a particular location, but equally impossible to disprove — a fact that will no doubt be exploited. Employers for the foreseeable future will be subject to strict workplace health requirements and those who take necessary precautions to protect customers and employees should proceed with confidence knowing they will not be targeted with frivolous, and potentially devastating, litigation.
This includes:
- Businesses and nonprofits operating in good faith and complying with all applicable requirements;
- Manufacturers who re-oriented facilities to produce or distribute Personal Protective Equipment, sanitizing and disinfecting products and other emergency response products;
- Companies that have donated their stock of supplies to hospitals and medical professionals;
- Healthcare providers and facilities testing for Covid 19 or treating patients; and
- Public companies facing lawsuits based on the disingenuous notion that management should have warned investors that stock prices could fall.
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Small Business Development Center Webinars
Preparing Foodservice
Establishments to Reopen
Tuesday, June 2
*In the earlier version of this newsletter the date was inaccurately listed as June 6. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Based on the recently published Penn State Extension "COVID-19 Reopening Guidance: A Guide for the Restaurant Industry by the National Restaurant Association," this webinar will help you learn what food and farm businesses can do now to prepare to reopen safely.
R3: Designing a Resiliency Roadmap for 30/60/90 Days
Beginning Monday, June 29
This 4-part series will address small business Re-evaluation, Recovery, and Regeneration strategies in the introductory workshop followed by check-ins at the 30-60-90 day marks. The R3 program will give business leaders a chance to learn from experts, network with other businesses, and create a new way of doing business.
Refining the Retail New Normal Recorded Webinar Series
Host: Penn State Extension
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NFIB Webinar
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Part III: 10 Keys to Loan Forgiveness & Your Questions Answered Live
Wed., June 3rd, 2020, 12:00 PM ET
Presented by: Elizabeth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, Legal Foundation, NFIB, Holly Wade Director, NFIB Research Center
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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:
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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.
We thank Representative Irvin's and Senator Ward's offices for helping us clear up the confusion.
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Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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New page added to Huntingdon County Strong.
Click here
for the Road to Recovery.
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Click here
to download the Independent Contractors Guide
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to download
the Small Business Guide
& Checklist.
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No more applications are being accepted.
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DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
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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.
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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.
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Huntingdon County Strong:
Business and Community Resources
Click graphic below.
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Contact Us
Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
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Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation.
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