The Daily Edition for Tuesday, April 21, 2020

To view this Daily Impact online, click here.

 

 

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.
Do you have a question? ASK THE EXPERTS.	We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

U.S. Senate approves nearly $500 billion in additional rescue funds for small businesses, hospitals and COVID-19 testing

The U.S. Senate passed a $484 billion package in additional COVID-19 rescue funds today. President Donald Trump has said he will sign the measure, which is pending a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives expected this Thursday.   The package will infuse $310 billion in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which ran out of initial funds last week. Included in the $310 billion for PPP is $60 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program loans and grants. The nearly half a trillion-dollar package also sets aside approximately $60 billion for smaller community lenders prioritizing loans in underbanked and rural areas.   In the first two weeks the PPP program was available and before the $350 billion in initial PPP funds were exhausted, approximately 1.6 million loans for small businesses across the U.S. were approved. That includes nearly 17,000 small Maine employers that were approved for more than $2.22 billion in PPP loans, according to Sen. Susan Collins' office.   Sen. Collins co-authored the PPP, which provides small businesses and employers struggling due to the Coronavirus pandemic loan amounts up to 250 percent of their monthly payroll expenses. PPP loans are forgivable if at least 75% of the loan is spent on payroll. The PPP is intended to help employers keep their employees paid and employed at a time when a record number of people are filing for unemployment.   PPP applications are processed through approved lenders. Loans are administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Employers that have not yet applied for a PPP loan are advised to contact their lender right away to see how a PPP loan can help and to start the application process.   The package approved by the U.S. Senate today also allocates $75 billion in further aid for hospitals and $25 billion to expand COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 testing is a critical component in plans and guidelines surrounding reopening economies across the country.   The $484 billion agreement came together after congressional Democrats pushed to include more aid for hospitals and more funds for COVID-19 testing in the $250 billion+ PPP replenishment the White House and Republican lawmakers proposed.   The Maine State Chamber will continue to monitor actions in the U.S. Congress on this rescue package and and will keep Maine's business community updated on important developments.

 

Secretary Dunlap announces order of bond questions on July ballot

This afternoon, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced the order of the two bond questions for the July 14, 2020 Special Referendum election. Secretary Dunlap and Deputy Secretary of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions Julie Flynn determined the bond question ballot order by random drawing today. The bond questions are:   Question 1: Internet Infrastructure Bond (PL 673, Sec. B-10) "Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue to invest in high-speed internet infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, to be used to match up to $30,000,000 in federal, private, local or other funds?"   Question 2: Transportation Bond (PL 673, Sec. A-9) Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for improvement of highways and bridges statewide and for multimodal facilities or equipment related to transit, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, ports, harbors, marine transportation and active transportation projects, to be used to match an estimated $275,000,000 in federal and other funds?   Voters will decide on the two bond questions in the Special Referendum Election on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, which will take place on the same day as the State Primary Election.   Visit the Upcoming Elections webpage for additional information. The Absentee Ballot Request service for this election is live, allowing registered voters to easily request their ballots via mail. Voters can also request their ballot from their municipal clerk directly or vote in person on Election Day. Maine citizens who need to register to vote can access the Maine Voter Registration application on our website and submit their completed form via mail to their town clerk.

 

Maine fishermen among small business owners hoping for new paycheck protection funds

According to a recent WMTW report, many Maine fishermen were among those waiting in line when the $350 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program ran out. Congressional leaders are working on an agreement to be voted on this week that would reload those funds.   "The Small Business Administration, which is not used to dealing with people who are self-employed, had them wait an extra week," Sen. Collins said. "And thus, by the time many of the fishermen or carpenters or plumbers or hair stylists in our state applied, the money was out."   The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association says many fishermen were uncertain if they even qualified without other full-time employees. Others were slowed down if they used a personal bank account for their operations, as the applications still went through the private banking system.   "You pay yourself, you are part of that payroll," said Ben Martens, the association's executive director. Hopeful for a new round of funding, he's reminding self-employed fishermen and those who hire contracted crews that they would be able to take advantage.   Martens says the roll-out of the program was confusing at times, made difficult by the sheer amount of funding being distributed in a short period of time. "So, when there were hiccups," Martens said, "unfortunately, a lot of those hiccups were sent to the back of the line and that's where a lot of fishermen ended up."   One Maine community bank has roughly 300 applications from those who are self-employed waiting to be processed. A regional New England bank has 25,000 waiting to be processed.   A separate $300 million was allocated to fishing and aquaculture industries around the country in the $2.2 trillion CARES Act. Fishing agencies in the Commerce Department have yet to detail how those funds will be allocated. President Trump has strongly encouraged Congress to add funds to the Paycheck Protection Program, something Secretary Mnuchin expressed optimism about Sunday. If passed, the legislation could be signed on Wednesday.

 

Collins, Pingree Call on USDA to Boost Support for Maine Farmers Facing Severe Economic Harm Due to COVID-19

In a bipartisan effort to support Maine farmers during the ongoing pandemic, U.S. Senator Susan Collins and U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to reiterate priorities for implementing the assistance to farmers that Congress provided through the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.   Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree emphasized the need for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide assistance directly to growers as well as support local producers and their supply chains.   "The shutdown of the food service network - including restaurants, schools, and hospitality businesses - has caused enormous economic harm to Maine's small- and medium-sized farms, especially for dairy farmers and for growers of specialty crops such as potatoes, blueberries, and apples," Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree wrote. "Our farmers are essential and are the backbone of the economy of many rural communities. USDA must work quickly and collaboratively to ensure that small- and medium-sized farms are able to survive this unexpected downturn while helping to meet the food security needs of American families."   In their letter, Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree urged USDA to:   * Provide targeted farmer payments, which are essential for Maine's specialty crop growers who have suffered acutely from recent international trade disputes and received almost zero direct benefit from the Administration's multiple disbursements of agricultural aid.   * Implement the components of CFAP focused on purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat products for redistribution to food banks, school nutrition programs, and emergency feeding organizations, which will help alleviate food insecurity for families and support local producers by reducing inventory and stabilizing prices.   * Collaborate with Maine's invaluable anti-hunger organizations and distribution companies to implement the CFAP, which could also have a positive impact on the currently slowed food service distribution industry.   * Allow broad flexibility on the types of quantities of products deemed eligible for assistance under the CFAP - such as whole milk, butter, cottage cheese, and yogurts - which might not be permitted for USDA nutrition assistance programs under in normal circumstances.   Along with the entire Maine Delegation, Senator Collins and Congresswoman Pingree have led efforts to assist Maine farmers, including calling on USDA to support dairy farmers, support potato farmers, support specialty crop growers, and support local food producers and new farmers.   On March 16, Pingree wrote to Speaker Pelosi detailing the impact of COVID-19 on local and regional markets and urging the Speaker to provide emergency disaster payments to farmers selling fresh, local, and minimally processed foods in community markets. On April 3, Pingree and 67 bipartisan members of Congress wrote to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to provide swift relief for local food producers whose markets have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Pingree is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

 

To reserve your banner ad in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

With Coronavirus Impacting Processing Plants King, Colleagues Urge "Aggressive Action" to Protect Food Supply, Essential Workers

U.S. Senator Angus King and 35 of his colleagues urged Vice President Mike Pence and other members of the Trump Administration to ensure the safety of the nation's food supply and protect essential workers in the food supply chain. The letter comes after numerous reports of essential workers in meatpacking plants, processing facilities, farms, grocery stores, and markets falling ill from COVID-19. In their letter, the Senators urged the White House and federal agencies to coordinate with state and local governments and the private sector to take aggressive action to protect essential workers and the food supply from further damage. The Senators also asked a series of questions about the actions being taken and coordination with the food industry.   "It is vital that we do everything we can to protect food supply workers," wrote the Senators. "Breakdowns in the food supply chain could have significant economic impacts for both consumers and agricultural producers. It is also imperative that precautions are taken to ensure the stability and safety of our food supply."   "The severe shortages of adequate COVID-19 testing capability and personal protective equipment are exacerbating these problems," wrote the Senators. "Lack of access to tests and personal protective equipment leaves essential food supply workers at even higher risk and makes the virus more likely to spread, harming more workers and further damaging our food supply chain."   Since the coronavirus crisis began, Senator King has worked to make sure our nation's farmers are able to withstand the economic and health pressures in order to continue feeding the American people. In recent weeks, King has urged to the USDA to support New England dairy farmers who are facing decreased prices and increased costs, and Maine potato farmers who are at risk of losing nearly half of their business with restaurants and food service facilities closed across the country. He has also joined bipartisan efforts urging the Administration to offer direct financial relief during the crisis, and to support growers of specialty crops; specialty crops, including potatoes and blueberries, are key crops for Maine.

 

Coronavirus, data analytics the focus of UMaine online discussion April 25

The implications of the coronavirus pandemic on artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics will be the focus of an online discussion on Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m. The Zoom meeting link is https://maine.zoom.us/j/98301058439. No password is needed.   In the presentation, "Business In and After the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic and Enhanced Roles of AI & Data Analytics," Yonggang "Tim" Lu, Harold Alfond Associate Professor of Business Analytics at the University of Maine, will discuss the profound current and future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, especially local and small- to medium-sized businesses. Several critical questions will be addressed, including what are good ways to recover a business from the pandemic, and what are the necessary new skills and knowledge needed to successfully develop a career in the post-coronavirus environment?   "The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected every aspect of our society," says Lu. "When we are fighting together to defeat this invisible enemy, everyone also needs to proactively prepare for the new normal in the business environment after the crisis."   The growing importance of AI technology and data analytics in the business world will also be discussed.   "The rapid, global spread of COVID-19 has brought advanced big data analytics tools front and center, with entities from all sectors of health care, policy, and business seeking to monitor and reduce the impact of this virus," says J. Michael Weber, dean of the University of Maine Graduate School of Business.   "The University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center and the Graduate School of Business are working with the business community to provide resources and expertise in AI and data analytics that are relevant today and tomorrow," Weber says. "Data analytics will provide the businesses of Maine with the data, tools, and decision metrics to develop scale-up strategies that will be critical for jump-starting their new business models and our economy."

 

Maine State Chamber Presents Free Wednesday Webinar Series
SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power Company and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development   Additional webinars will be forthcoming, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Questions can be directed to Angela S. Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by emailing aarno@mainechamber.org or calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104.
	Wednesday, April 22 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. THE INTERSECTION OF WORKERS' COMP AND COVID-19   The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employers, their employees, and our state and national economies has been remarkable. Across the state, businesses large and small are struggling with how to adjust to this new and dramatically different paradigm. Like many other groups, the Maine State Chamber has worked to bring our members and employers all around the state the latest and most accurate information on changes to our unemployment insurance system, paid sick leave, paid FMLA leave, the CARES Act, and the accompanying Paycheck Protection Program and EIDL assistance.   However, forgotten up to this point is how another important aspect of the cost of doing business may be impacted by the pandemic - workers' compensation insurance. Like so many other business factors, there are a significant number of unknowns surrounding workers' comp going forward, including the compensability of COVID-19-related claims, claims that may arise while employees are working remotely from their homes, and how a shrinking statewide payroll may impact premium rates, and therefore, overall premium costs.   Register here Sponsored by MEMIC, MaineHealth / Synernet, Preti Flaherty, and United Insurance
	Wednesday, April 29 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. WEBINAR FOR SOLE PROPRIETOR BUSINESSES: NAVIGATING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC   This webinar will focus on the short- and long-term issues arising from the pandemic for sole proprietors - with suggested solutions. Topics covered will include a review of up-to-date federal and state legislative opportunities, tax issues to discuss with your accountant, insurance liability, health insurance options, credit protection, and steps for sole proprietors to take with customers. There will also be a brief review of pertinent estate planning options during the pandemic.   Regiser here | Sponsored by Lambert Coffin
	Wed., May 6 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. WE ARE STILL FINALIZING THIS WEBINAR TOPIC TO BE ANNOUNCED
	Wednesday, May 13 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. RECENT STATE AND FEDERAL TAX CHANGES AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS   This webinar will focus on federal tax changes contained in the CARES Act and changes made at the state level that provide support for businesses during this pandemic. Additional topics also include a look at the ever-changing landscape at the federal level for additional stimulus funds and what those changes might look like.   Register here | Sponsored by Pierce Atwood and WIPFLi, LLP
	NAVIGATING THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ISSUES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PRESENTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR MAINE'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY   Presented on Wednesday, April 15 | Listen to the recording here   The Maine State Chamber hanks our April 15 webinar presenters and sponsors: Rudman & Winchell; TD Bank; and, Albin, Randall and Bennett.

 

Tuesday, April 28 | Legislative Strictly Social Virtual Coffee Hour
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend our Legislative Strictly Social Virtual Coffee Hour. We invite you to grab a cup of coffee at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, and hear from legislators about current issues.   Normally, our annual series of statewide receptions is an ideal way for you, the Maine business leader, to interact with business associates, new and prospective Maine State Chamber members, and state representatives in a relaxed setting. This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be hosting this event online as a coffee hour with Sen. Eloise Vitelli, Sen. Jeff Timberlake, Rep. Ryan Fecteau, and, Rep. Trey Stewart. Our panel of legislators will open the hour, and there will be an opportunity for questions through the Zoom chat feature. Please join us for this presentation. A participation link will be sent to you after you have completed registration. Learn more or register here.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors! A special thank you to our sponsors from the Legislative Strictly Social, which has now become the Legislative Strictly Social Coffee Hour, due to the need for social distancing during this pandemic. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!
SERIES SPONSORS: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.; Central Maine Power Company; Maine Department of Economic & Community Development; Northeast Delta Dental; VHB
PREMIER SPONSOR: AT&T	SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS: Backyard Farms, LLC; Brookfield Renewable Energy
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Altria Client Services LLC; American Chemistry Council; Bank of America; Dead River Company; Emera Maine; Finance Authority of Maine; Hannaford Supermarkets; MaineHealth; Merrill's Investigations & Security; Mitchell Tardy Jackson Government Affairs; PhRMA; Preti Flaherty, LLP; Spectrum Healthcare Partners; The Sheridan Corporation; Unitil Corp.	OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank; Charter Communications; Cross Insurance; E.A. Scribner Insurance Agency, Inc.; Elanco; Enterprise Holdings; IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.; Maine Better Transportation Association; MEMIC; Maine Primary Care Association
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event. Questions can be directed to Angela S. Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by emailing aarno@mainechamber.org or calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104.

 

42 Maine nonprofits awarded $100K in Machias Savings grants

According to yesterday's Mainebiz, The Locker Project, a nonprofit working to get healthy food to children and families in greater Portland during the pandemic, will receive a helping hand from Machias Savings Bank in the form of a $2,500 grant. The group is one of 42 Maine nonprofits that will benefit from the bank's Rapid Response Grant program, which awarded a total of $100,000 last week.   Out of more than 100 groups that had applied for funding, 42 will receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each to cope with the ongoing public crisis. Beneficiaries from around the state center largely around managing food insecurity, services for the aging and isolated, community action programs and emergency response teams.   "Our goal with this program was to be able to provide quick support for organizations that are lifting up their communities at this time," said Melissa Denbow, vice president of corporate giving and community relations at Machias Savings, in a news release. "We are proud to say that, within two weeks of launching the program, much of the funding we were able to provide is already making a difference in communities across the state," she added.   Kathryn Sargent, the Locker Project's executive director, told Mainebiz the group will use its $2,500 grant to cover increased staff time and food costs during the crisis. Unable to draw on its 100 volunteers at this time, the group is currently operating with a staff of four and one board member who continues to volunteer. Every weekday, they pack and distribute 100 bright green bags of food in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook, along with boxes of staple items from Good Shepherd Food Bank.   "When the schools closed, we wanted to make sure we could continue to provide healthy food to children and families in Greater Portland," Sargent explained in an email. "We quickly pivoted from stocking school pantries and hosting fresh food events to offering pre-packed bags of staples and fresh produce at school meals sites and through other partners."   She also gave a shout-out to donors and funding providers such as Machias Savings Bank she said have been "incredibly supportive." Machias Savings Bank also support nonprofits beyond those that are working directly with the pandemic through its Branch Support Funds.

 

Maine veterinary lab's subsidiary to make coronavirus tests for humans

According to yesterday's Bangor Daily News, a subsidiary of Westbrook-based IDEXX Laboratories is in the early stages of producing a coronavirus test for humans. The company announced the development Monday morning as it also moves to market another test for pets.   IDEXX said that its subsidiary, Georgia-based Opti Medical Systems, has validated a polymerase chain reaction test for humans, which will initially be available on a limited basis to its existing customers already engaged in coronavirus testing. PCR is a method that rapidly makes thousands of copies of a DNA sample.   Starting this week, IDEXX is making available a coronavirus test for pets after growing demand for them. They will initially be available in North America and then become available across the globe in the coming weeks, according to the company.   So far, there's no evidence to suggest cats and dogs can pass the coronavirus onto humans, according to the World Health Organization, but reports in recent weeks have linked infected pets with owners who have tested positive. Such cases, though, have been very rare. There have been at least four reports of pets testing positive for the coronavirus: a cat in Belgium in late March, another cat in Hong Kong in late March, a German shepherd in Hong Kong in mid-March, and a Pomeranian in Hong Kong in February.   "We have continued to monitor the rapidly evolving public health crisis worldwide, paying special attention to the effects on pets," said Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO of IDEXX. "While there is currently no evidence that dogs or cats play a role in transmitting the disease to humans, it became clear offering the test was the right thing to do when we saw clinical evidence that pets - especially cats and ferrets - can in rare cases be at risk for infection. And, we heard from our customers around the globe that veterinarians needed a testing option."   Since mid-February, IDEXX has tested specimens from more than 5,000 animals from 17 countries for the coronavirus, and none came back positive, according to the company. "This suggests dogs and cats living with infected people generally remain uninfected, except in rare and isolated cases," the company said. The test for pets is recommended only for those animals living with a human who has tested positive, showing signs of coronavirus symptoms and have been tested for other common infections, which a veterinarian has ruled out. IDEXX recommends against testing asymptomatic pets.

 

Maine Community Foundation awards $4M in grants to nonprofits

The Maine Community Foundation has awarded $4 million to support nonprofit organizations across the state. Donors with funds at the foundation stepped up with $2 million in grants to provide support for many of the Maine nonprofit organizations that are responding to the COVID-19 crisis.   The grants help address food insecurity, poverty, health, and the needs of homeless populations, Maine tribes and immigrants. Grants also support economic relief for specific work sectors, according to a news release Andrea Nemitz, communications director of the foundation.   Grants totaling an additional $500,000 were deployed from MaineCF's new Emergency Response Fund (COVID-19 Fund), which assists community-based organizations confronting the viral outbreak and its consequences, and another MaineCF fund that focuses on food security. The state has included the foundation on its COVID-19 Maine Helps list of places to donate.   Grant funds totaling $1.5 million also were awarded through the foundation's community-building program, its largest, and the People of Color Fund. MaineCF distributed the funds early to more quickly support nonprofit organizations significantly impacted by the pandemic.   Grant recipients will have flexibility this year to use their grant funds for general operating support. This funding for nonprofits is even more important now as nonprofits face additional demands for their services and limited opportunities to raise money through traditional outreach events.   The foundation connects donors with resources to nonprofit organizations across the state and has worked since 1983 to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. For more information, visit mainecf.org.

 

 

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