Press Releases

Friend,

Thousands of small businesses across the state have utilized the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) over the past weeks. Due to its popularity, the PPP ran out of funding in two weeks. Last week, I voted in favor of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act after speaking on the House floor in support of the bill. 

The Small Businesses Administration announced it will resume processing PPP applications at 10:30 a.m. this coming Monday, April 27th now that this latest allocation of funding has been signed into law. The PPP has provided forgivable loans to 1.6 million small businesses, nonprofits, Veterans’ organizations, tribal businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors in all 50 states.

Below, I've provided additional information to help small businesses navigate through the process. If you need any additional help, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Respectfully,

Jack Bergman
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Additional Funding Notice: The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 10:30 am EDT.

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Additional Resources for Small Business Owners:

• Coronavirus.gov Small Business Resources Page

• Treasury Department Overview On The Paycheck Protection Program

• UPDATED: Administration FAQ On The Paycheck Protection Program

• SBA.gov/Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Page

• SBA Paycheck Protection Report With State-By-State Breakdown

Coronavirus Funding Options From The SBA

Click here to learn more about available SBA loan and debt relief options.

Our nation's small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.

With the additional funding provided by the new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-served basis.

We will provide further information on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive new applications (including those from agricultural enterprises) as soon as possible.

To learn more about the relief options available for your business, click here.

Guidance for Businesses and Employers

The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America

www.Coronavirus.gov

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please see the following:

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Preventing Stigma Related to COVID-19
• Share Facts about COVID-19
• Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention, Symptoms and FAQ
   

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.

To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use the guidance described below and on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page.

Below are recommended strategies for employers to use now. In-depth guidance is available on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page:

• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
• Separate sick employees
• Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
• Perform routine environmental cleaning
• Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps
• Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from designated countries with risk of community spread of Coronavirus, and information for aircrew, can be found on the CDC website.
• Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:
• Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
• If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Local Assistance

SBA works with a number of local partners to counsel, mentor, and train small businesses. The SBA has 68 District Offices, as well as support provided by its Resource Partners, such as SCORE offices, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. When faced with a business need, use the SBA’s Local Assistance Directory to locate the office nearest you.