MAINE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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The Daily Edition for Monday, May 11, 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!

 

 

Did You Miss the Conversation on "Maine Calling" Today?

We hope you were able to tune in this afternoon, as Maine Calling host Jennifer Rooks discussed the reopening of Maine's economy with Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. If you missed it this afternoon, the segment will be rebroadcast at 7:00 p.m. tonight online through Maine Public's website or on one of their statewide stations, and it's archived on the Chamber's YouTube channel.

 

More Than 20,000 Mainers Have Filed Jobless Claims Under Expanded Eligibility Program

Today, the Portland Press Herald reported that more than 20,000 Mainers have applied for jobless benefits under a federal eligibility expansion that allows benefits to be paid to unemployed contractors, self-employed workers and others normally ineligible. The state Department of Labor issued a news release Monday saying that among the more than 20,000 Mainers who have been enrolled in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) since the federal program was implemented May 1 in Maine, roughly 15,400 already have received a benefit payment. The program provides benefits to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits, such as workers who are self-employed or do not have sufficient earnings, the department said.

 

"In Thursday, April 30, I made the announcement that we would begin accepting PUA applications the next day, and that PUA claimants whose claims did not require further review would begin receiving their benefits within seven days of filing their initial claim and first weekly certification," state Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said in the release. "I am pleased that a week later, thousands of Mainers who were not eligible for traditional state unemployment are receiving these essential funds to help support themselves and their families."

 

Loan Forgiveness Under The PPP And SBA EIDL Programs: 10 Things Small Businesses Need To Know

Today, an article in Forbes reported that, if you were one of the lucky businesses to receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan as provided under the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, you currently have eight weeks to use the funds appropriately to meet the criteria for loan forgiveness or face repayment. There is still some PPP money available from Round 2 of Congressional relief, so if you haven't yet applied and still need the money, do so immediately. There was approximately $90 billion remaining as of May 6, largely because most loans in this second round have been much smaller than in Round 1 and many larger companies have returned their loans.

 

In addition, the regulations around both the PPP loan program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program have been changing constantly since the CARES Act was passed and will likely continue to do so. It is important to track these regulations closely. Already, leading trade associations including the American Bankers Association, the Consumer Bankers Association, and the Independent Community Bankers Association have written to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking for changes to the PPP, mainly around the criteria for forgiveness.

 

To reserve your banner ad in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
[email protected], or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

Collins, King Announce Nearly $5 Million to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Maine

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 18 health centers throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $4,732,797 to purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 testing. This investment in Maine's health centers was included in the $480 billion bipartisan agreement that was signed into law last month, which included $25 billion for COVID-19 testing efforts.

 

"Community health centers are the backbone of Maine's rural health care system, and they have been instrumental in helping to protect Mainers' health during the current public health crisis," said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. "Expanded testing is crucial for our ability to ultimately reopen our society and to give Mainers the confidence to resume their daily lives. This important funding will be used to increase walk-up and drive-up testing as well as purchase the PPE necessary to help protect those on the front lines."

 

King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide States with Greater Flexibility with Coronavirus Relief Funds

U.S. Senator Angus King joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce the Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act, legislation that would allow the federal relief funds provided to states and local governments in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to be used to replace revenue shortfalls resulting from the pandemic. The legislation would apply retroactively to the enactment of the CARES Act, and addresses the fact that the decline of economic activity also has had a negative effect on state tax receipts.

 

"As a former governor, I know just how vital state and local government services are to communities across the country, especially at this time: these are the people dealing directly with the pandemic's health threats or processing much-needed economic benefits," said Senator King. "The pandemic's economic fallout has drastically reduced tax revenue for state and local government, creating unexpected deficits and leaving these governments with the choice of raising taxes or firing essential personnel; neither of these options is acceptable. That is why the federal government must provide relief to ensure communities have the resources they need to weather this pandemic."

 

UMaine Team Has Created A Statewide Production Hub For Making Critically Needed PPE

According to a recent Mainebiz article, a team put together by the University of Maine System to address the shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers has facilitated production of hospital-grade hand sanitizer, face shields and intubation boxes. Assembled in late March, the team has called on manufacturers, distilleries and breweries to help meet health care needs. As of late April, production has included 2,800 gallons of hand sanitizer, distributed to 51 hospitals and other health-related facilities; hundreds of intubation boxes and hundreds of thousands of face shields.

 

The team operates under the Maine Emergency Management Agency and includes UMaine, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MaineHealth, St. Joseph Hospital, Northern Light Health, Manufacturers Association of Maine and Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Initially focusing on hospital-grade hand sanitizer, UMaine's Process Development Center and chemical and biomedical engineering faculty used existing supplies and Food and Drug Administration guidelines to produce 25 gallons.

 

Use the Maine State Chamber's blog and Daily Impact to tell your story!

Numerous Maine companies are stepping up or pivoting nimbly, as Maine people resourcefully address the challenges of this pandemic. Share your perspective and experience with us and with the rest of the business community. How are you facing and overcoming the challenges posed by this pandemic? What are you and your employees doing in this dramatically different economy? Tell us about the innovations your company or employees are making or ways you have adapted your company to meet your customers' needs.

 

Each blog entry should be 300 to 500 words. Join us in creating a written history of the business community's resilience and innovation during this extraordinary time. Please submit your entries to [email protected]. For more information or questions, please contact Mark Ellis by emailing [email protected] or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 109.

 

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

 

Registration or general questions can be directed to Angela Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by emailing [email protected] or calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104.

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

 

Please Join Us For The Maine State Chamber's Regional Breakfast Series,

A Virtual Update

 

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce, together with local and regional chambers of commerce, invites you to our Regional Breakfast Meetings, held virtually on Zoom. As a local business leader, your valuable insight is instrumental to this open dialogue about issues that affect your business, your community and your state. We need your expertise and input to make recommendations and to identify opportunities for moving Maine's economic future in a positive direction.

Normally, attending one of our annual statewide breakfast series meetings 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 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - so grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation from the relaxation of your own home.

NEXT WEEK!

Portland Area

Monday, May 18

Register here

NEXT WEEK!

Lewiston Area

Tuesday, May 19

Register here

Bangor Area

Thursday, May 21

with the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce

Register here

Presque Isle Area

Thursday, May 28

 

Register here

 

 

To join these advertisers in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau
by emailing
[email protected], or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.

NOTICE: In an ongoing effort to thwart the activities of online hackers, the Maine State Chamber
has researched and tested the links in this document and determined that they are safe.

 

Copyright Maine State Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Katie Clark (207) 233-2230
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Board
    • Local Chambers of Commerce
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Member Companies
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Annual Meeting and Dinner
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Strictly Social
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • Impact Newsletter
    • MSCC Blog
    • The Bottom Line
    • The Maine Take
    • Making Maine Work
    • MERI Roll Call
    • OneVoice Maine Magazine
    • Policy Brief Series with Educate Maine
    • Press Kit
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Member Login
  • AI In Action