WMS COVID-19 Updates

Wyoming Business Council

The WBC prepares to launch the WY Business Relief Program, a series of 3 grant programs to assist WY businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The first of the three programs -The Wyoming Business Interruption Stipend - opens on June 8th at 10 am. The application process is fully online. The WBC is hosting informational webinars to ensure that WY businesses have the information they need to apply for these grants.

To sign up for a webinar, click on the date/time below:

June 5th - 7 am

June 5th - 12 pm

June 8th - 8 am

If you're unable to attend a live/interactive webinar session, you can view a recording of the session or review the presentation slide deck or for more information visit the WBC's Business Relief Website .

The Wyoming Business Interruption Stipend

$50 million in grants

Up to $50,000 for WY businesses, employing fewer than 50 people

Applications open on June 8th - 10 am

The Coronavirus Business Relief Stipend

$225 million in grants

Up to $300,000 for WY businesses, employing fewer than 100 people

$50 million of this funding explicitly for businesses closed as a result of state orders

Applications open early July

The Coronavirus Mitigation Stipend

$50 million for reimbursement of up to $500,000

For expenses to comply with public health guidelines

Applications open early July

Calculate Estimated Grant Award

WY Business Relief Program FAQ

Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act

On June 3rd, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which will provide greater flexibility to business owners trying to resume operations post-shutdown.

The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which had previously been passed by the House of Representatives, now heads to President Trump's desk, and he is expected to sign it.

Important provisions in the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act:

Current PPP borrowers can choose to extend the eight-week period to 24 weeks. New PPP borrowers will have a 24-week covered period, but the covered period cannot extend beyond Dec. 31, 2020.

The payroll expense requirement drops to 60% from 75%. However, at this point, for the loan to be forgiven at all, that 60% requirement must be reached. This provision may be tweaked slightly, pending Treasury Department guidance.

Business owners who have already obtained PPP loans can extend the loan terms up to 5 years if the lender agrees. New borrowers now have five years to repay the loan instead of two. The interest rate remains unchanged at 1%.

Business owners now have until December 31 to restore their staffing and wages to pre-pandemic levels required for full forgiveness. Previously, the deadline had been June 30. Two key exceptions are as follows:

The previous rules allowed business owners to exclude from their calculations employees who turn down good-faith offers of employment. This provision remains unchanged.
A new provision allows borrowers to adjust their calculations if they could not find qualified employees or were unable to restore business operations to pre-pandemic levels due to COVID-19 related operating restrictions.

Businesses that took a PPP loan may now also defer payment of their payroll taxes, which was prohibited under the CARES Act.

Information provided by Phillips Accountancy Corporation .

Additional Information

Governor Gordon - State Budget Updates

In response to Wyoming’s significant revenue shortfalls, Governor Mark Gordon has instructed state agencies to immediately take action to further reduce spending and prepare for deeper cuts in the coming months .

Governor Gordon held a press conference on June 4 to detail the numerous and stringent ways that the State of Wyoming will begin reducing budgets immediately. The governor paints a grim picture of Wyoming's financial future in the light of reduced revenues generated from coal, oil, gas, and trona and sales tax revenue.

View Full Press Release - Date June 4, 2020

"Our approach to the significant cuts we will have to make must be done strategically, with purpose, and in a manner that assures Wyoming can recover rapidly."

-Governor Gordon

Governor Mark Gordon's Press Conference on COVID-19 - June 4, 2020

Video begins around 18:22

COVID-19 in the News

An analysis of face masks, eye protection, and social distancing to prevent spread of respiratory infections.

Click Here

UCHealth discusses the dangers of the popular opinion that herd immunity is the answer to COVID.

Click Here

Wyoming Key Points

Wyoming Key Points includes:

Wyoming stats
New Public Health Orders
Lab/EPI updates
National Volunteer Week
CDC key points
Social Media
Behavioral health & wellness

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Wyoming Leaders in Medicine 2020-2021

Accepting Applications

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WLM 20-21 Brochure

WMS encourages ALL physicians to apply for this program, whether you are a member of the medical society or not. We value the leadership of ALL doctors in Wyoming!

New 20-21 WLM Schedule

September 11-12 - Jackson

October 9-10 - Online

November 13-14 - Sheridan/Laramie (TBD)

December - HOLIDAY BREAK

January 8-9 - Online

February 12-13 - Cheyenne

March 19-20 - Online

April 23-24 - Evanston/Park City

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