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The COVID-19 Edition for Monday, June 22, 2020

To view this edition of Impact online, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your COVID-19 Impact newsletter!

As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you several times each week 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!

 

 

To Protect Public Health, Mills Administration Postpones Reopening of Indoor Bar Service Across Maine

While outdoor seated bar service is still permitted, indoor bar service presents a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission and is linked to outbreaks in several other states

The Mills Administration announced today that it is postponing the reopening of indoor service at bars to protect public health given the higher risk of COVID-19 transmission in such settings. Under the Administration's Restarting Maine's Economy plan, bars across Maine have been able to reopen for outdoor service and were tentatively scheduled to resume indoor service on July 1 (Stage 3). However, given the elevated health risk presented by bars, along with major outbreaks in other states linked to the reopening of bars, the Administration is postponing indoor service until further notice. Bars can still provide outdoor seated service to patrons, and the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations will work closely and promptly with businesses to establish or expand their outside capacity. The Administration said last week that it was evaluating the reopening of indoor bar service.

 

Indoor service at bars presents a significantly elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission. Indoor service bars typically feature crowds often in close contact with one another often without tables or other ways of keeping people apart. Smaller spaces at many bars make physical distancing very difficult. Further, individuals may be less likely to wear face coverings at bars and, in some instances, may be speaking at a higher volume - both of which increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The action also follows recent reports of COVID-19 outbreaks linked to the reopening of bars in states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Idaho.

 

An Employer's Guide
to COVID-Related
Return-to-Work Issues

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

 

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

 

Maine employers have been faced with many challenging issues from the COVID public health emergency. In this webinar, we now turn our focus to the return-to-work phase, which raises many employment-related concerns, such as properly preparing the workplace for the new reality under OSHA and CDC recommendations, determining how employee recalls will work, ongoing unemployment, accommodation claims and disability related issues, potential other leave application, and similar topics. This session will navigate these and other related issues and provide an opportunity for questions. Hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, our presenter for this webinar is Anne-Marie Storey, partner at Rudman Winchell.

 

WEBINAR 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. Registration or general questions can be directed to Angela 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.

 

Maine May Lose $66M in Tax Revenue Because of COVID-19's Impact on Hotels

This afternoon, Mainebiz reported that Maine stands to lose $65.9 million from state and local tax coffers this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on hotel operations, according to a new study. An analysis by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Oxford Economics shows the sharp drop in travel caused by the pandemic will drastically reduce tax revenues. They include levies on lodging, sales, gaming, personal income and corporate income, as well as taxes paid for unemployment insurance and other government programs.

 

That means Maine could be short $40 million in lodging taxes that would typically have been incurred, and will also lose out on an estimated $16.8 million from legalized gambling proceeds. The figures do not include the property taxes generated by hotels, estimated to total about $9 billion nationally each year.

 

In 2018, the hotel industry directly generated nearly $40 billion in state and local tax revenue across the country. But the pandemic and resulting public health restrictions have led many lodging establishments to close at least temporarily, and forced many guests to cancel bookings. The downturn has spurred a group of Maine's tourism and hospitality businesses to propose an emergency plan for the industry, to be paid for with $800 million from the state's federal funding from the CARES Act. The AHLA said in a news release that 2020 is expected to be the worst year on record for hotel occupancy.

 

FAME Enhances Special Financing for Maine Businesses Affected by Covid-19

Improvements made to OLA loan limits and pro-rata insurance for existing debt refinancing for Maine businesses affected by COVID-19

In an effort to keep pace with the evolving financing needs of its customers during the pandemic, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) recently approved additional changes to its special COVID-19-related program offerings. At its June 18 meeting, FAME's board of directors approved an increase in loan limits for its COVID-designated OnLine Answer (OLA) loan insurance program from $100,000 to $250,000 per lender loan and also approved an increase in its pro- rata insurance coverage for refinancing existing debt from 40% to 50%. For the refi program, paper applications only will be accepted, and there are specific criteria outlined at FAME's COVID-19 Relief Programs webpage. These two programs, as well as other COVID-relief programs outlined below, have limited funding and will sunset on September 30, 2020, unless extended by the FAME Board.

 

 

In Teleconference with Maine United Way, King Emphasizes Need to Help Working Families Amid Pandemic

U.S. Senator Angus King participated in a teleconference with Maine United Way leadership representatives, as part of his continuous effort to stay connected to Maine people throughout the coronavirus pandemic. During the call Senator King received updates from the United Way on the impacts of the coronavirus on Maine communities, and highlighted the importance of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit (CTC), and Medicaid expansion to help working families weather the pandemic. Senator King is a cosponsor of the Working Families Tax Relief Act, legislation that would provide tax relief for working people and families by expanding these credits - benefiting 400,000 Maine people, including 164,000 children - as well as an advocate for nonprofits, which are facing unprecedented struggles due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Senator Collins Warns of Spike in Cybercrime Attempts During Pandemic

Since March, federal agencies have detected an average of 18 million phishing attacks per day

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Aging Committee, is warning Mainers to be on alert for increased cybercrime during the ongoing pandemic. Scammers are sending fraudulent emails and text messages, a practice known as "phishing," to attempt to get victims to divulge personal information or to deliver malware to their personal computers and smartphones. Due to a nationwide increase in teleworking during the coronavirus crisis, these phishing attacks are becoming more common. Since March, federal agencies and their private-sector partners have detected an average of 18 million phishing attacks per day and a 37 percent increase in phishing attacks on mobile devices - mostly through text messages. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $39 million to coronavirus scams and malware attacks in the first quarter of 2020 alone.

 

Maine Businesses Are Rethinking Air Quality As They Emerge From Virus Restrictions

Today, the Bangor Daily News reported that, with health officials telling businesses to circulate as much clean, outside air as possible inside buildings as employees and customers return, the head of Trademark Federal Credit Union realized the large windows in the new South Portland location presented a problem.

 

Air quality has been part of the consideration by Gov. Janet Mills and health officials as the state is reopening, since outdoor transmission of the virus has been found to be relatively rare. Restaurants were first allowed only to have takeout, then outdoor dining, and finally to resume indoor dining recently. While it's unclear how varying degrees of air quality upgrades affect transmission of the virus, one answer to assuring people, experts say, is to provide assurances that the business has done everything it could to make for a safe environment.

 

How Maine is Advising Workplaces to Safely Reopen: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidance for offices on its website. It says properly used air purifiers could reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses. The Maine CDC recommends that guidance as well, said spokesperson Robert Long. Parts of the guidance are also included in specific business checklists on the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development website. Read more here.

 

Thank You For Doing Your Part!

 

Thursday, June 25 | The Bottom Line Podcast with U. S. Senator Susan Collins

U.S. Senator Susan Collins will be this week's special guest on The Bottom Line podcast. She joins The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss federal programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the economy.

 

To listen live, please visit Williams Broadcasting and scroll down to "Listen Online" at the bottom of the homepage. To listen to the archived recordings, please visit The Bottom Line page on the Maine State Chamber's website. In addition, The Bottom Line podcast can be heard on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com.

 

Providing Books to Maine Students

Maine educators were recently surveyed about critical needs of their students. Books were highlighted as a top priority for students of all ages. Supporting reading is essential for students to continue to thrive in schools. Making certain that our students, particularly our youngest readers, have easy access to books during the end of the school year and throughout the summer is crucial for preventing summer slide.

 

Even with yeoman-like efforts by Maine teachers and a hands-on approach from the Maine Department of Education to ensure all Maine students have been able to continue learning remotely during the pandemic, we know that learning over these past few months has inevitably been disrupted. In addition to the school year disruption, student achievement often widens during the summer, an outcome referred to as summer slide. Summer slide accounts for as much as 85 percent of the reading achievement gap between lower income students and their middle- and upper-income peers. Providing students with appropriate books will help address this challenge. Not only does summer reading enable students to continue practicing foundational skills, but it opens the world to students through stories and knowledge building around topics of interest. We need your help to ensure students across our 16 counties have access to books, an essential commodity.

 

Here are a few ways you can support Maine students:

 

1 2020 Maine Books Challenge: Educate Maine is leading this initiative to provide students with books while supporting local bookstores. You can purchase an online or physical gift card at one of Maine's independent bookstores. Every $10 donation provides a book for a Maine student. Every donation will be matched by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein up to $5,000. Teachers across Maine will help coordinate book distribution to students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Katherine at katherine@educatemaine.org.

 

2 Scholastic Books: This company has offered significant discounts to help get books to Maine students. For example, a $1,000 donation can support 300 books for 100 students. A $5,000 donation can support 1,500 books for 500 students. If interested in supporting this effort, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.

 

3 Community Book Donations: Gently used books are also needed across Maine. We are seeking community drop off spots at local employers throughout the 16 counties. If your business is interested in becoming a location for books to be collected, please email Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.

 

Books will be distributed to students directly through their schools and at local meal sites throughout the summer. Additional information about summer literacy initiatives can be found here. Thank you for supporting Maine students.

 

To join these advertisers
in the
COVID-19 Impact,
please contact
Melody Rousseau
by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org,
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 Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568
  • About Us
    • Connect with Us
    • Affiliates & Partners
    • Our Board
    • Meet the Team
    • President's Message
    • External Social Media Policy
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join the Chamber
    • Return on Investment
    • Member Search
  • Public Policy
    • Public Hearings of Interest
    • Legislation of Interest
    • Public Policy Committees
    • Grassroot Resources
    • Find Your Legislator >
      • Representatives
      • Senators
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2022 Annual Meeting
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Business Day at the Statehouse
    • Board Meetings & Board Events
    • DC Fly-In
    • Legislative Social
    • Policy Issues Workshops
    • Regional Breakfasts
    • Scramble for Scholars
    • Webinars by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
  • Initiatives
    • Campus Career Connect
    • Dream It. Do It.
    • Education Foundation
    • Keep Maine Competitive
    • Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI)
    • This is ME Counting on You
    • Senior Leaders of Tomorrow Development Program
  • Newsroom
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • 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
  • Member Login