• Xcel Energy has donated $1.5 million to address food insecurity and other relief efforts in the eight states it serves and the Xcel Energy Foundation has created a matching gifts campaign that offered employees a 2-to-1 match on their donations generating more than $450,000 in donations in week!

• Hosted by Jan Malcolm and Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann, was fairly short. It focused on outbreaks in long-term care facilities as well as at the protests being held around town related to the death of George Floyd.

• EO 20-63 Phase 2 of Stay Safe Minnesota Plan: continuing to safely reopen Minnesota's economy and ensure safe non-work activities during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency

• Wednesday, MDH Commissioner Malcolm Update
• Tested over 10,000 people over the holiday weekend.
• Today the US crossed a dark milestone, the death of 100,000 people.
• COVID disproportionately affects black Minnesotans (drawing connection to Floyd case).
• Minnesota currently sits at a 16-day doubling rate for new infections. This is an encouraging number.
• Minnesota is maintaining stable and moderate growth of new infections.
• Latest modeling shows the peak is still not happening yet. Still much uncertainty whether cases will continue to plateau or surge over the summer. 
• ICU capacity is one area of concern. Some hospitals are already tapping into surge capacity.
• There are public health concerns with large gatherings like the community and police protests that happened yesterday. Encourage participants to wear masks and follow distancing guidelines. Community spread continues to be a problem.

• Here are 5 things to know about spending your PPP money for maximum forgiveness

• Sunrise Banks reminds us that PPP funds are still available. Reach out to your lender. Sunrise PPP loan applications can be submitted here.

• The IRS has released new guidance in response to COVID-19 that impacts benefits election and enrollment time periods and certain claims activity during the Outbreak Period. The duration of the Outbreak Period is limited to up to one year from March 1, 2020. Recognizing the numerous challenges participants and beneficiaries already face as a result of the COVID-19 Outbreak, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and IRS thought it important to take steps to minimize the possibility of individuals losing benefits because of a failure to comply with certain pre-established timeframes. Additional information and FAQs on the guidance noted above can be found here.

• Minnesota's unemployment rate is bad — until you look at all the other states. For 43 states, the unemployment numbers are the highest since 1976. The worst-hit were states that rely heavily on tourism or heavy manufacturing: Nevada's jobless rate is above 28 percent, while Michigan and Hawaii's rates both top 22 percent. Minnesota is second lowest at 8.1% as of April.

• Legislation to overhaul the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program — and make its numerous provisions friendlier to restaurants and retail shops in particular — passed the House of Representatives Thursday. A companion bill already has been introduced in the Senate.

• Saint Paul: On Wednesday, Mayor Melvin Carter signed two executive orders for this phased reopening:
• Executive Order 2020-09 requires masking for all city-controlled facilities and Saint Paul licensed businesses to protect public health.
• In signing Executive Order 2020-10, Mayor Carter issued a set of short-term business license measures that support restaurants and bars in maximizing their ability to leverage surrounding spaces for outdoor patio seating without unduly raising the risks to public health and safety that Saint Paul’s regulations protect against.
• These measures include: 
• The suspension of some off-street parking requirements for licensed restaurants and bars; 
• Simplified site plan review without additional fees;
• Expediting the sidewalk cafe license application process for licensed restaurants and bars; 
• Rapid approval for parking area patios or sale space; and  
• Accelerated review and approval for street and park space use for patio or sale space. 
• City departments will begin reaching out to past sidewalk permit holders about the expedited application process and will develop plans for safe use of public right of ways in support of businesses efforts to reopen in June.

• Roseville: On May 26, 2020, the Roseville City Council adopted Resolution 11708, allowing businesses to be granted temporary waivers to certain City Code requirements to promote physical and social distancing for business and faith organization activities during the COVID-19 health pandemic. See more information and apply for a temporary waiver at www.cityofroseville.com/TempWaiver.

• Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard

• Mayo Global COVID-19 Dashboard

• Goff Public offers a communications playbook: No matter how you decide to pursue reopening, your audiences will be looking to you for transparent communication about these decisions. While communicating is more important than ever, this pandemic has turned our playbook on its head. As you begin communicating your reopening plans, here’s how they have reconsidered some new communications strategies for the COVID-19 era.

• Cushman & Wakefield has outlined some of the best thinking and practices for how to re-open your workplace safely. 

• Saint Paul Port Authority is now authorized lender for state’s Small Business Emergency Loan Program.

• The U.S. Chamber published a new Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness with an easy to understand explanation of what they need to do to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans. Click here to download the guide.

• Minnesota Retailers Association has created a web page for retailers re-opening that walks you through requirements and best practices.

• Innovative Office Solutions has developed a return to work program guide they are generous enough to share here. They include ideas, products, and preparedness plan. Direct questions can be directed to Karla Gunderson. 

• Thinking through how/when to return to office? For safely returning to physical locations for work, DEED has information for employers and employees. DEED is receiving questions on items not covered. Here's the link to get answers and provide feedback to help the State refine its approach.

• If your small business is within ½ mile of Allianz Field, apply for a grant from the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative. This grant is specifically for small businesses within a half mile of Allianz Field with annual revenue below $3 million who are either a small business or nonprofit with a retail or service-based business model.

• Thank you to Target for sharing their COVID-19 safety tool kit.

• North Risk Partners is offering a guide and sample plan to help you build your action plan for bringing employees back to work.

• Get help from SCORE mentors via the Coronavirus Business Resource Center.

• The Entrepreneur Fund has COVID-19 Updates & Resources and is offering 30-minute consults with a Lender or Advisor by email or phone.

• WomenVenture is open and ready to help with its COVID 19 Update Hub.

• Visit DEED's Covid 19 webpage and info on Small Business Emergency Loan Program and Safely Returning to Work.

• WBDC/WBENC Covid 19 resources for Women Owned Businesses

• Minnesota COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Info.