Solon Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 News and Resources

Solon Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Updates & Resources

3/1/2020

PPP PORTAL INFORMATION
January 11: SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw Loans the week of January 11, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting First Draw PPP loan applications from participating community financial institutions (CFIs) and lenders with under $1 billion in assets, which includes approximately 5,000 institutions, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Lender Match can help you find a participating lender. View PDF What are CDFIs & MDIs?

On Monday, January 19th, the portal opens for ALL first time applicants AND second-draw applicants. View PPP FAQs

First Time Applicant Overview First Time Application Form
Second Draw Overview Second Draw Application Form

OHIO VACCINE PHASE 1B
January 19: Vaccinations in Phase 1B are expected to begin the week of January 19. View Ohio Vaccine Fact Sheet

Phase 1B will specifically include those below who choose to be vaccinated:

Ohioans, age 65 and up.
Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable. For a full list, click here.
Adults/employees in K-12 schools that want to go back, or to remain, educating in person.

Ohioans age 80 and older are the first group eligible. To find a Vaccine Administration Location, click here.

TRUMP SIGNS COVID RELIEF
December 27: President Trump signed the COVID-19 Relief Package recently passed by Congress, which includes:

$600 stimulus checks for individuals with a 2019 income less than $75,000
$1,200 stimulus checks for married & joint filers with a 2019 income less than $150,000
Eligible dependents 16 and younger can qualify for $600 stimulus checks
$300 weekly enhanced unemployment insurance
$25 billion in rental assistance
One-month extension on federal eviction moratorium

Paycheck Protection Program
Regular business expenses paid for with past & future PPP loan proceeds will be tax deductible. This includes:

Operations Expenses: payments for business software, cloud computing services & other HR/accounting needs that facilitate business operations
Supplier Costs: payments to a supplier for goods that are essential to the operations of the borrower pursuant to a contract or purchase order in effect before the PPP loan is disbursed or with respect to perishable goods, in effect at any time
Worker Protection Expenses: operating/capital expenditures to comply with public health guidance related to COVID-19, including things like drive-through windows and sneeze guards and the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Covered Property Damage Costs: costs related to property damage/looting due to public disturbances in 2020 that are not covered by insurance or other compensation.

It is still the case that not more than 40% of the forgiven amount can be for non-payroll costs, which may limit how much of your loan can be forgiven. The brand new “Second Draw” program is for small businesses who have exhausted their initial PPP loan if you have less than 300 employees & have experienced a 25%+ reduction in gross receipts during any quarter in 2020 relative to the same quarter in 2019. Learn more about PPP loan forgiveness

Employee Retention Tax Credit
The new Employee Retention Tax Credit is 70% on $10,000 in wages per quarter (or a maximum $14,000 per employee through June 30th) for employers with less than 500 employees who who experienced a decline in gross receipts of more than 20% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. Employers can now also receive both the Employee Retention Tax Credit and a PPP loan, just not to cover the same payroll expenses. Learn More about the ERTC

Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Priority for the full amount of the $10,000 EIDL grant will be given to small businesses with less than 300 employees, located in low-income neighborhoods, who have experienced a 30% reduction in gross receipts during any 8-week period between March 2, and December 31, 2020 compared to a comparable 8-week period before March 2. If you meet this description and received a grant that is less than $10,000 you can re-apply to receive the difference.

PHASE 1 COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLANS
December 4: Governor Mike DeWine announced details for Ohio's first phase of vaccine distribution that is expected to begin on or around December 15.

During Phase 1, vaccine supply will be limited, and Ohio will focus on vaccinating those who wish to be vaccinated in the critical Phase 1A groups outlined above.

Ohio Phased Approach Fact Sheet FAQs

DEWINE ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE CURFEW
November 17: Governor Mike DeWine announced a statewide curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM. The curfew will take effect this THURSDAY, November 19th and last 21 days*.

Exceptions: The curfew does not apply to those who need to be at work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries, a carry-out/drive-thru meal, or delivery.

*The statewide curfew has been extended to January 23rd, 2021.
Download Fact Sheet

Join us with Dr. Gary Allread, Program Director for the consulting and training branch of Ohio State University's Spine Research Institute! Dr. Allread will discuss how morale and mental health can cause physical stress on the body and impact a person's performance on the job!

Learn More

DEWINE ISSUES NEW MASK MANDATE
November 11: Governor Mike DeWine announced a new mask order with the following additions:

Each store will be required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store;
Each store will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks; and
A new Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents led by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will inspect to ensure compliance. A first violation will result in a written warning and a second violation will result in closure of the store for up to 24 hours.

Additionally, Governor DeWine expanded the mass gathering limit of gatherings of 10 or more, adding the following guidelines:

Open congregate areas will no longer be permitted to open
Everyone will be required to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks.
Bars, restaurants, and fitness centers may remain open, but this will be reassessed on November 19 for potential closure.

BWC APPROVES $5 BILLION DIVIDEND
November 2: The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) approved Governor Mike DeWine’s request to send $5 billion in dividends to Ohio employers to ease COVID-19’s continued impact on the state’s business community & workforce.

BWC will apply the dividend to an employer’s unpaid balances first, then send a check for the remainder in mid-December. The agency issued a $1.54 billion dividend in late April and $1.34 billion in October. View FAQs

OHIO CARES ACT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS
October 23: Governor Mike DeWine announced the allocation of $429.5 million in CARES Act funds across the State of Ohio and was approved by the General Assembly and the Controlling Board on Monday, October 26th:

$50 million for rental, mortgage, water and/or sewer utility assistance: Starting November 2nd, Ohioans at/below 200% of the federal poverty level can apply at their local Community Action Agency More Information
$125 million for small business relief: The Ohio Development Services Agency will establish the Small Business Relief Program to provide funds to eligible small businesses with 25 employees or less Download PDF
$37.5 million for bars and restaurants: Checks in the amount of $2,500 will be distributed to establishments with on-premise consumption More Information
$62 million for rural and critical access hospitals: Funding will allow hospitals to continue responding to the COVID-19 crisis, providing care and addressing increased costs for safety measures, including the purchase of PPE
$100 million for higher education: These dollars will be used for critical services, including COVID-19 testing on campuses and mental health services
$45 million for non-profits and the arts: Non-profits provide many important services to Ohioans and these dollars will help them continue their good work. Many arts organizations have also been hit hard and these dollars will help

QUICK LINKS

CDC Coronavirus Dashboard
City of Solon Resources
Coronavirus.gov
Latest from State of Ohio
Local PPE & Essential Services
US Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Ressources
WHO Coronavirus Dashboard

COVID-19 GUIDELINES & LEGISLATION
REOPENING RESOURCES

SBA RESOURCES

EMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT

HFLA Loan Application for Individuals & Families
JobsOhio
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Resource
Mass Layoff Number: 2000180
1-877-644-6562
Ohio Jobs & Family Services FAQ
OhioMeansJobs
Ohio Unemployment Portal Walkthrough
State of Ohio COVID-19 Job Search
Utility Assistance

RE-TRAINING OPTIONS

TECHCRED
TechCred program helps Ohioans learn new skills & helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a technology-infused economy. Many of these trainings can be completed online!

These technology-focused credentials take a year or less to complete and prepare current and future employees for the technology jobs Ohio employers need.

TechCred Program Guidelines

SHAREDWORK OHIO
SharedWork Ohio is an alternative to layoffs for employers, allowing workers to remain employed and employers to retain their staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, employers reduce hours to avert a layoff. The participating employee works the reduced hours, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours. Interested employers should provide the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services with a list of participating employees and specify their normal weekly hours of work, not to exceed 40 hours and not including overtime. Part-time employees may be eligible, but all employees in an affected unit must have their hours reduced by the same reduction percentage.

SharedWork Ohio Frequently Asked Questions

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Solon Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Updates & Resources

RE-TRAINING OPTIONS

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