The Coronarvirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act 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 small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.
For more information: READ MORE
For eligibility: READ HERE
Cares Act short summary
The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship has created a comprehensive guide available on their website. The guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from SBA. It cane be found here:
www.florenceazchamber.com/the-small-business-owners-guide-to-the-cares-act/
Assistance for Small Businesses
The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
Treasury just posted the following information on PPP. Applications start April 3rd.
https://home.treasury.gov/cares
List of Current Lenders taking new clients
CARES TRAINING PROGRAM
The Arizona Small Business Association and Arizona Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to bring you the CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses. This training program – which is offered at no cost to you – helps both novice and experienced borrowers successfully access relief funds.
Click HERE
Local First Arizona Small Business Relief Fund
Local First Arizona announced the initiative Friday that would cover costs such as employee payroll and rent. Small, family-owned Arizona businesses with three or fewer employees can apply for mini-grants under a new effort to help those facing challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. The effort has initial sponsors in Salt River Project and the Jack Pfister Support Fund, and Local First Arizona is asking individuals or companies to contribute to the fund. SRP’s sponsorship is to benefit small businesses in its service area. Additional sponsors include local business Iconic Cocktail Co. and others. Local First Arizona https://www.localfirstaz.com/small-business-relief-fund
Unemployment Insurance Program Changes Federal Coronavirus Response Legislation Program Summary
Info: http://www.florenceazchamber.com/9683-2/
The state is adding $600 to the maximum weekly unemployment benefit of $240, and the first checks should go out as soon as next week, the Arizona Department of Economic Security
The Arizona Unemployment Team has announced major changes to eligibility requirements for benefits. The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program provides benefits to certain individuals who had not previously been eligible for unemployment, or those who have been denied in the past.
PUA provides benefits to covered individuals. Covered individuals are those individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits under state or Federal law. This includes individuals who:
- have exhausted their unemployment balance,
- are self-employed,
- are seeking part-time employment,
- lack sufficient work history, or
- otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits under state or Federal law.
For more info click HERE
Governor Ducey announces launch of
2-1-1 COVID-19 Hotline. READ MORE
More Updates:
- U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act READ MORE
- Governor Ducey Issues Order Delaying Evictions For Renters Impacted By COVID-19
READ EXECUTIVE ORDER - Governor Doug Ducey today issued an executive order clarifying businesses and operations deemed “essential” by the state and providing certainty to business owners, employees and families. The order is a proactive and administrative measure to ensure consistent guidance across the state.Full release below. View Executive Order here.
Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order implementing an Enhanced Surveillance Advisory that will accelerate tracking of COVID-19 cases and strengthen the ability of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to respond to the outbreak. The advisory requires hospitals and testing laboratories to report key metrics that will inform the state’s response to COVID-19.
Arizona Together initiative was launched to support Arizonans. It will help connect individuals and businesses to resources, raise money for community organizations and provide information on volunteer opportunities. This can be found at ArizonaTogether.org. If you have questions about this, please contact the Chamber at roger@florenceazchamber.org.
- The Governor issued an Executive Order to expand telemedicine coverage for Arizonans, which will help people continue social distancing while accessing critical care and services.
- Arizona requested changes to federal food assistance programs in Arizona that would allow for the purchase of hot meals
Resources:
- CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION https://www.cdc.gov/
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. - ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home
STATE RESOURCES:
- AZ Dept. of Health
- Governor of AZ
- AZ Dept. of Education
- Learn more about the employee-focused Acts that extend paid sick leave and paid family leave: The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.
MANDATORY SICK LEAVE
THE TOWN OF FLORENCE ALSO HAS CURRENT USEFUL INFORMATION:
http://www.florenceaz.gov/coronavirus/