MAINE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Breaking News | June 24, 2020
from the Maine State Chamber

We are sharing this breaking news
from this afternoon's press briefing with you.

Our COVID-19 Impact newsletter will return tomorrow.

 

 

Mills Administration Releases COVID-19 Prevention Checklists for Stage 3 Business Reopenings

The Mills Administration today posted additional COVID-19 Prevention Checklists for businesses and activities to voluntarily resume on July 1 as part of Stage 3 of the Administration's Restarting Maine's Economy Plan . The checklists, written in close collaboration with industry leaders and public health experts, outline health and safety protocols for businesses and activities to comply with in order to resume safely. The checklists posted today include:

  • Spas and skin care establishments, including laser hair removal and similar services
  • Outdoor amusements, such as amusement parks and water parks
  • Indoor amusements, such as bowling and arcades
  • Movie theaters
  • Performing arts venues

 

Additionally, in response to feedback from businesses and public health experts, the Department of Economic and Community Development has updated guidance for some businesses already open under the Restarting Maine's Economy Plan.

 

"These reopenings represent a positive step forward for Maine and our economy, but Maine people and businesses must remain vigilant," said Governor Mills. "The increasing, and in some instances record high, number of COVID-19 cases in other states are cautionary tales for Maine as we continue our reopening, monitor the prevalence of the virus here, and look towards our economic recovery. Nothing would be more devastating to our economy than a significant surge in the virus that sickens and kills more people and jeopardizes our health care capacity. By taking good care of ourselves and others, we can continue to reopen safely."

 

"With the release of these Stage 3 COVID-19 Prevention Checklists, we continue to make progress in safely re-opening Maine's economy," says Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. "The Administration will continue to work hard to reopen businesses while remaining vigilant in the fight against this virus and planning our long-term economic recovery."

 

"The expansion of business reopening is paralleled by the expansion of public health practices to protect Maine residents and visitors," said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. "This includes the quadrupling of Maine's testing capacity in July and increasing access to tests for people throughout the state."

 

The vast majority of Maine's economy has been reopened under the Mills Administration's Restarting Maine's Economy plan. With the initiation of Stage 3, that will only continue to grow, and Maine remains either on a par or ahead of other northeastern states in terms of its reopening.

 

Adjusted for population size, as of June 22, Maine ranked eighth lowest in the nation in terms of positive cases; 11th lowest in the nation in terms of deaths; 6th lowest in terms of patients ever-hospitalized out of the 36 states reporting; and 5th highest in the percentage of people who have recovered out of the 43 states reporting.

 

Mills Administration Dedicates Coronavirus Relief Funding for State and Local Match on FEMA Public Assistance

$35 million will support the 25 percent required match for COVID-related expenses incurred by eligible organizations in Maine.

The Mills Administration announced today that it is dedicating $35 million of Maine's $1.25 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) provided through the CARES Act to help local and tribal governments and other qualified entities cover costs incurred as a result of COVID-19.

 

Under the Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Mills and approved by the President, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) traditionally provides 75 percent reimbursement of disaster costs with a 15 percent state match and a 10 percent local match. With today's announcement, the Administration will use Federal funds allocated to cover the local match, providing financial relief to municipalities and others that are confronting stretched budgets.

 

"Municipalities across Maine are on the frontline of battling COVID-19," said Governor Janet Mills. "With this action, I hope State government can somewhat ease the financial burden that budget-crunched municipalities face as we continue to confront this pandemic together. I also hope the Federal government will provide greater financial support and more flexibility in the use of Federal funds so that the State may be able to be more helpful in the future."

 

"Our Administration continues to look for ways to support local and tribal governments and other qualified entities during this challenging time, and we believe this is a helpful step," said Kirsten Figueroa, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

 

Coronavirus Relief Funds were provided to states through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (FAQs posted on U.S. Treasury's website).

 

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department issued new guidance that the CRF can be used for this 25 percent local match and written assurance of that guidance is expected in the near future. Given that CRF cannot be used to backfill for government revenue losses, many local government expenses directly related to COVID-19 are likely eligible for FEMA reimbursement.

 

Applicants who may be eligible are encouraged to apply for assistance by contacting the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at maine.recovery@maine.gov. More information about the match assistance provided with CRF can be found on the State of Maine Bureau of the Budget website.

 

For information on the FEMA Public Assistance process and eligible applicants and expenses, please visit the MEMA website. For information regarding the use of CARES Act funding in Maine to date, please visit the Maine Bureau of Budget website, which is updated weekly.

 

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 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
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  • 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