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Covid-19 Pandemic

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Map of Covid-19 in Kansas

Business and Employers

Explore the documents and industry specific guidelines below.

Guidance and Resources for Business and Employers

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)

The CARES Act legislation covers an array of programs including direct payments to Americans, increased unemployment benefits, billions of dollars to help large and small businesses, and significant funding for the healthcare organizations.

From the US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship:

To help small business owners and entrepreneurs better understand the new programs that will soon be available to them, we have created a comprehensive guide to many of the small business provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress. These programs and initiatives are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.

  • Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees? Then the Paycheck Protection Program might be right for you.
  • A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now? You might want to look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant
  • To ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan? The Small Business Debt Relief Program could help
  • Just some quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time? The resource partners might be your best bet.

US Chamber: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The US Department of Treasury has put together a great resource page on all of the various provisions and requirements of the PPL and it can be found here.

Current list of local lenders for SBA CARES Act programs and links:
What will lenders be LOOKING FOR?

Borrowers will need to complete the Paycheck Protection Loan Application (which is available HERE) and payroll documentation
Lenders will also ask you for a good faith certification that:
1. The uncertainty of current economic conditions makes the loan request necessary to support ongoing operations
2. The borrower will use the loan proceeds to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage, lease, and utility payments
3. Borrower does not have an application pending for a loan duplicative of the purpose and amounts applied for here
4. From Feb. 15, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, the borrower has not received a loan duplicative of the purpose and amounts applied for here (Note: There is an opportunity to fold emergency loans made between Jan. 31, 2020 and the date this loan program becomes available into a new loan)
If you are an independent contractor, sole proprietor, or self-employed individual, lenders will also be looking for certain documents
(final requirements will be announced by the government) such as payroll tax filings, Forms 1099-MISC, and income and expenses from the sole proprietorship.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Emergency Cash Grant

Apply online, now available in the new web portal https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/

If you have submitted, check on the status at 800-659-2955 or email  disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

  • CARES Act for small businesses expands eligibility for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. A major change is borrowers can receive a $10,000 emergency grant cash advance that can be forgiven if spent on paid leave, maintaining payroll, increased costs due to supply chain disruption, mortgage or lease payments or repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses.

PAPER PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE AT 5 CORNERS MINI MART AND HOLE IN THE WALL LIQUOR.

Low interest loans are now available through the SBA.  Businesses who have seen a negative impact on their revenues will be able to qualify for low interest, no higher than 3.75%, loans up to a max of $2 million.  Length of loan will be determined based on ability to pay, up to 30 years. Loans are direct through the SBA, not through a financial institution.   

We have verified with the Small Business Administration: Even if you have not been in business a year or longer, you still qualify and should submit an application.

The following items must be submitted with all SBA EIDL applications:

To Mail:

US SBA Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingport Road
Fort Worth, TX
76155-2243

Trusted websites:

www.CDC.gov
www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/wysk/wysk_ada_rehabilitaion_act_coronavirus.cfmwww.dol.gov
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
www.osha.gov
https://www.nga.org/coronavirus/#states
https://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus
www.shrm.com/workplacesafety
www.nationwidegroup.org
www.constangy.com

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.

Common Issues Small Businesses May Encounter:
  • Capital Access – Incidents can strain a small business’s financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Businesses should prepare by exploring and testing their capital access options so they have what they need when they need it.  See SBA’s capital access resources.
  • Workforce Capacity – Incidents have just as much impact on your workers as they do your clientele. It’s critical to ensure they have the ability to fulfill their duties while protected.
  • Inventory and Supply Chain Shortfalls – While the possibility could be remote, it is a prudent preparedness measure to ensure you have either adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period and/or diversify your distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.
  • Facility Remediation/Clean-up Costs – Depending on the incident, there may be a need to enhance the protection of customers and staff by increasing the frequency and intensity by which your business conducts cleaning of surfaces frequently touched by occupants and visitors. Check your maintenance contracts and supplies of cleaning materials to ensure they can meet increases in demand.
  • Insurance Coverage Issues – Many businesses have business interruption insurance; Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.
  • Changing Market Demand – Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.
  • Marketing – It’s critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business. Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.
  • Plan – As a business, bring your staff together and prepare a plan for what you will do if the incident worsens or improves. It’s also helpful to conduct a tabletop exercise to simulate potential scenarios and how your business management and staff might respond to the hypothetical scenario in the exercise. For examples of tabletop exercises, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-planning-exercises

For more information visit the SBA online here

The Kansas Department of Commerce

As more information becomes available, Commerce will continue to post updates on its website, as well as social media platforms.

Facebook: @KansasCommerce

Website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov

Additional information is available on the KDEM website: http://www.ksready.gov/

Additional information can be found here: HANDOUT_SBA Disaster Assistance_Resources for Businesses

Bourbon County Economic Development

CDBG-CV Program

Submit your application and find information on the CDBG-CV Program Guidelines and Parameters here.

We will provide one on one assistance for business looking to apply for the SBA disaster relief loans, or other Federal, State, and Local resources as they become available.

Please contact Jody Hoener at jhoener@bourboncountyks.org if you are interested!

Kansas Department of Labor: Shared Work Program

An employer/business owner may use Shared Work in lieu of a temporary, total layoff of employees. It allows for a partial workweek and partial unemployment benefits for employees.

Kansas Department of Labor, CDC, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Department of Children and Families, and GetKansasBenefits.gov

Links to the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Department for Children and Families and GetKansasBenefits.gov will be available on this one page to make it easier for Kansans to keep updated on the virus and resources available to assist them during this challenging time.

“The Kansas Department of Labor is here to help our business community and the workers who make it vibrant,” Secretary García said. “We will continue to add available resources and contact information as we work to address this challenge.”

“We are encouraging employers to avoid layoffs if possible by reducing employee hours and applying for the shared work program to supplement their wages,” Unemployment Director Laurel Searles said. “If the employer cannot avoid layoffs, then we hope they will contact us and file by spreadsheet, expediting the application process for their workers.”

Displaced workers can also file online at www.GetKansasBenefits.gov. Additional resources for affected workers may be found at the Kansas Department of Labor’s website: www.dol.ks.gov.

CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019

Emergency Management

 

 

 

There are four key purposes to emergency management: Preparedness. Response. Recovery. Mitigation.

Bourbon County Emergency Management (EM) is responding to the pandemic  and trained for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This situation poses a serious public health risk.  EM are the contact for state and federal emergency response programs for recovery of disaster situations.For most up to date information check out the Bourbon County Corona Virus Updates page.

Contact Information: William Wallace, em1@bourboncoutyks.org or 620-223-3800 ext 124