The COVID-19 Edition for Thursday, August 13, 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!

 

 

Maine Supreme Court Rules CMP Corridor Referendum, Ballot Question Unconstitutional

Justices ruled unanimously today that the initiative fails to meet the constitutional requirements to appear on the ballot

This afternoon, NewsCenter Maine reported that the Maine Supreme Court ruled today against a citizens' initiative to block a hydro-electric power project that would run through western Maine, saying it violates the state constitution. The referendum aimed to reverse a Maine Public Utilities Commission order granting Central Maine Power's request for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project. The project seeks to bring hydro-power from Canada through Maine to be distributed throughout New England.   The court agreed with the opinions of both the Secretary of State and Avangrid, CMP's parent company, that a proposed question for the November ballot would be unconstitutional and that "the initiative fails to meet the constitutional requirements for inclusion on the ballot because it exceeds the scope of the people's legislative powers conferred by article IV, part 3, section 18 of the Maine Constitution."

 

Mills Administration Approves Second Round of COVID-19 Prevention and Protection Awards Under Keep Maine Healthy Plan

$4 million supports more than 80 Maine municipalities and Tribal governments as they take action to protect Maine people and visitors from COVID-19

On August 11, the Mills Administration announced that it has approved an additional $4 million in awards to more than 80 municipalities and tribal governments across the state under a second round of Keep Maine Healthy funding to support local COVID-19 public health, education, and prevention efforts. The announcement follows the award in late June of the first round of funding to municipalities under the Keep Maine Healthy Plan, with approximately $9 million awarded to nearly 100 municipalities. On Tuesday, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) approved COVID-19 Prevention and Protection Plans submitted by 82 municipalities and Tribal governments and began notifying municipalities of their awards. Approximately half of the awards will go to municipalities and Tribal governments that are new applicants, while the others will benefit returning municipalities.   In total, this Keep Maine Healthy funding will benefit 132 municipalities and two Tribal governments, representing about 1 million people, or 75 percent of the State's year-round population, along with summer and fall visitors. The awards are supported by Coronavirus Relief Funds from the CARES Act and are distributed on a reimbursement basis as communities implement these programs. This initiative incentivizes municipalities and Tribal governments to develop and implement their own COVID-19 prevention, education and protection plans by reimbursing municipal costs associated with public health education and prevention activities. These plans aim to help keep Maine people and visitors safe from COVID-19 by including public education activities, physical distancing and public health support, or local business assistance. The Mills Administration worked closely with the Maine Municipal Association and the Mayor's Coalition on the creation of the municipal awards program.

 

 

Maine Department of Labor Announces Unemployment Compensation Claims Data for the Week Ending August 8

Today, the Maine Department of Labor recorded, for the week ending August 8, about 1,500 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 280 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These claims represent about 1,500 individuals filing an initial claim. About 50,200 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment. In addition, about 26,800 weekly certifications were filed under PUA. Weekly certifications must be filed by claimants every week in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits.   Between March 15 and August 8, the Maine Department of Labor has paid out about $1.35 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits. By comparison, the Department paid out less than $74 million in unemployment benefits in all of 2019. The Department has handled approximately 179,700 initial claims for the state unemployment program and 83,200 initial claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. There have been about 2.03 million weekly certifications filed. Claims data is preliminary and subject to revision.

 

Maine Department of Education Fall 2020 Survey Data Released

On August 12, Maine Department of Education released the data received from over 40,000 parents, educators, and education leaders from across Maine. Recognizing that the greatest value is in the feedback gathered locally, Collaborative Planning Teams for each school unit across the state have also facilitated the critically important local conversations as to the unique variables, resources and needs within each school community; the state and county data compiled from the DOE survey will be one of many resources that will guide the processes and decision making regarding instructional models for the 2020-2021 school year. Survey information by group, county and question, along with initial considerations and actions, can be found on the Maine Department of Education webpage.

 

Thursday, August 13 | The Bottom Line Podcast
with David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System
	David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS), was our special guest on The Bottom Line podcast. He joined The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss MCCS' plans for providing safe, in-person training on campus for students that need hands-on instruction and robust remote learning for other students. In both scenarios, Maine's community colleges are making sure students are getting critical training for the state's workforce needs.   To listen to all of archived podcast 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.

 

Maine Community College System Reports Huge Increase in Graduates from Short-Term Workforce Training

3,625 workers trained last year, a 300 percent increase over two years ago

On Wednesday, August 12, the Maine Community College System (MCCS) announced that demand for short-term workforce training is at an all-time high at Maine's community colleges, which saw a 300 percent increase in trainee graduates over the last two years. That figure - 3,625 people trained in the fiscal year ending June 30 - doesn't capture the hundreds of students currently enrolled in scores of new, free, online health care training programs.   When the coronavirus hit and waves of layoffs swept the state, the MCCS Maine Quality Centers (MQC) quickly added new, free, online training programs for in-demand jobs in the healthcare industry. The programs prepare graduates for jobs such as medical records technician, pharmacy technician, medical lab worker, and medical insurance specialist. The programs launched soon after Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order in April loosening restrictions on how MQC job training funds are spent. Of the 47 new healthcare training programs launched since the governor's order, 36 are full. The training generally takes 5 to 12 months to complete.   The COVID safety training programs, developed in partnership with HospitalityMaine, are free, online courses that take just hours to complete. Workers in the tourism industry can earn badges in four areas: restaurant readiness, lodging readiness, stress management and de-escalation.   In addition to the COVID-related programs, Maine Quality Centers is re-introducing several traditional workforce programs that were suspended due to COVID-19. In July and August, classes began for a popular mechanized logging operations training program at Northern Maine Community College and a long-standing welding and manufacturing program at Southern Maine Community College. MQC has also launched a new manufacturing program to train up to 220 people for jobs at Puritan Medical Products' new Pittsfield facility, which is ramping up production of nasal swabs used in coronavirus testing.

 

University of Maine System Extending Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Across Three Phases

Three-phase plan includes arrival testing for all students or staff from out-of-state, all residence hall students, and special populations; a second round of testing within 7-10 days for everyone required to have an arrival test; and on-going surveillance testing through individual and wastewater testing

On August 11, the University of Maine System announced that it is extending planned asymptomatic COVID-19 testing to include a second round of screening for all students or staff arriving from out-of-state, residence hall students, and special populations. The phase two follow up screening will occur 7-10 days after arrival testing and is part of a three-phase surveillance strategy recommended by the UMS Scientific Advisory Board to lower the risk of disease transmission on campus from asymptomatic carriers.   "Screening asymptomatic members of our community will allow us to identify infection, isolate it, and slow or prevent COVID-19 transmission," said Dr. Melissa Maginnis, a UMaine virologist and assistant professor in microbiology leading the UMS Scientific Advisory Board. "The science tells us that a second round of screening is essential due to a virus incubation period that can last up to 14 days. Retesting our students shortly after arrival provides an additional layer of safety to limit viral transmission at the outset of the semester."   Phase 3 Monitoring: The University of Maine System, as called for in its safe return planning, will also be conducting further monitoring for the disease following the completion of initial baseline screening at the start of the semester to trace and isolate cases of infection. Monitoring will include additional COVID-19 testing surveillance and symptom tracking. Wastewater testing will also be used to monitor public health conditions on campuses that are home to 78% of the System's resident hall student population. Campuses with the infrastructure necessary to support wastewater testing include UMaine, UMFK, and USM.   Additional Background: The Scientific Advisory Board was formed by Chancellor Dannel Malloy to advise university leaders and state partners on the latest developments in COVID-19 research and treatments. The board is chaired by University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. In June, the University of Maine System announced a partnership with The Jackson Laboratory and ConvenientMD to provide testing and testing support services.

 

Seeking Forgiveness: Planning Your PPP Forgiveness Application
Register Today for our Newest Webinar!
As of August 10, the SBA has started to accept PPP forgiveness applications. Many recipients of PPP funding have taken a look at the forgiveness application and are realizing that this is far more complex than the loan application they grappled with earlier.   Join us for a discussion on ways to simplify your process. Presenters for this webinar include Gregory S. Fryer and Benjamin E. Ford, partners at Verrill.   Thank You to Our Sponsors! Series Sponsors: Bangor Savings Bank; Central Maine Power Company Premier Sponsor: Verrill

 

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.

 

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 [email protected].   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 [email protected].   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 [email protected].   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 advertise in the COVID-19 Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing [email protected], or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.
		Thank you for doing your part!

 

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