The Daily Edition for Monday, April 6, 2020

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Welcome to your daily Impact newsletter!

As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in navigating the uncertainties ahead, we have created a diverse and comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community. If there is anything you need, please reach out.

We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

Governor Mills Announces Approval of Federal Disaster Declaration For COVID-19 Response in Maine

On Saturday, Governor Janet Mills announced that the President has approved her request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Maine, unlocking critical federal assistance for state agencies and municipalities in Maine.

 

The approval is specifically for public assistance, which means that State agencies and municipalities in all of Maine's 16 counties will be reimbursed for 75 percent of approved costs associated with their COVID-19 response. The Governor''s other requests for disaster assistance, including additional resources for Maine people to support child care, behavioral health, and legal services, among others, remain under review by the Trump Administration. Additionally, Governor Mills' request for approval of Title 32 Section 502(f) funds for the Maine National Guard remains under review.

 

"I welcome this support from the Federal government. It will bolster the response of our State agencies and municipalities who are working to protect the public's health and safety during these unprecedented times," said Governor Mills. "I am grateful to Maine's Congressional Delegation for advocating for this designation, and I am hopeful the President will approve the State's pending requests for critical resources. Maine people are doing their part to defeat this virus, and those additional resources will provide critical support. We will continue to do all we can to protect our state and provide for Maine people who need our help."

 

 

Over 1,000 small businesses in Maine qualify for payroll protection loans

Since the federal assistance program went live Friday, a total of 1,026 companies have been deemed eligible to receive nearly $292 million in payroll benefits, according to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

 

A recent Portland Press Herald article indicated that more than 1,000 small businesses in Maine have been deemed eligible to receive funding assistance under the federal government's new Paycheck Protection Plan loan program, an indicator of the volume of businesses struggling to contend with the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on the state. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, tweeted Sunday afternoon that since the program went live on Friday, April 3, a total of 1,026 Maine employers have been approved for $291.9 million in Paycheck Protection Plan loans.

 

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses - defined as those having fewer than 500 employees - with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds may also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. A loan will be fully forgiven if employees are kept on a business's payroll or rehired quickly at the same salary level. Forgiveness will be reduced if a business' headcount declines or if salaries and wages are decreased. At least 75 percent of the forgiven amount must also have been used to cover payroll expenses.

 

Small businesses and sole proprietorships, including nonprofit organizations, veterans organizations, and tribal businesses, were allowed to start filing applications on Friday. Once the applications started coming in Friday, Maine lending institutions shifted into high gear. Starting April 10, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. Restaurants and hotels are also eligible to apply if each of their locations has fewer than 500 employees. Small businesses are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible because there is a funding availability cap.

 

Small business owners can apply for loans through any existing SBA lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or participating Farm Credit System institution. All loans carry the same terms regardless of lender or borrower.

 

 

If they haven't already, Maine small businesses should explore Paycheck Protection Program loans

On April 4, the BDN Editorial Board published this editorial in its opinion section. Below is an excerpt but we encourage you to read it in its entirety online.

 

Federal investment is a powerful tool in the fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its staggering economic impact. So too is information.

 

The Paycheck Protection Program is just one piece of the federal response to the massive economic slowdown we are experiencing right now because of the virus, and not all businesses will be eligible - and it may not be the right fit for every eligible business. But the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is absolutely right: Maine businesses should consider applying for these loans during this difficult time.

 

"It is extremely important that Maine businesses consider applying for a 'Paycheck Protection Program' forgivable loan to help them stay connected with their employees during the pandemic," Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors said in a statement on Thursday. "These loans are critical to helping Maine businesses, economy and workforce get through this crisis so they can get back to business as soon as we get to the other side of it."

 

The Small Business Administration has posted information online about the loans and who can apply. A program application is available through the U.S. Treasury Department. The Maine Chamber has compiled a list on its website of eligible lenders in the state. The chamber has also put together a checklist for businesses.

 

 

Maine Department of Labor Announces Alphabetical Call-in Schedule for Unemployment Benefits

 

 

After receiving an unprecedented number of unemployment claims due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) announced a new alphabetical-by-last-name call-in schedule for Maine people filing for unemployment benefits. The new schedule will help reduce phone line congestion as the Department ramps up its capacity to receive and process claims.

 

Starting today, Maine people seeking to file for unemployment by calling the 800 number with last names beginning with A-H should call on Monday; I-Q on Tuesday; R-Z on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be left unassigned for those who miss their alphabetical day or need to call at that time.

"While we hope to have 100 more people answering the phone lines by the end of next week, implementing this new system will ease congestion on our phone lines in the meantime," said Commissioner Laura Fortman on Friday. "This is an easy way for individuals to take action to improve access for everyone. We are all in this together and we appreciate your help as we navigate these unprecedented times."

 

The recently enacted federal CARES Act includes new temporary unemployment programs to provide additional relief to people affected by COVID-19. At the direction of the Governor, Maine has opted in to the new programs. However, MDOL requires guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor in order to implement the new programs. MDOL continues to press for that guidance and once it is received, will implement the system changes. Claims filed will be processed retroactively to the dates in the law.

 

Until then, the Department urges Maine people who would be eligible under these programs to wait to file until they are in place. Filing now will result in a denial of benefits when those applying, in fact, deserve the benefit. MDOL wants every Mainer to receive the benefits for which they are eligible during this difficult time.