INFORMATION YOU NEED TODAY AND TOMORROW
Saginaw County Chamber Denounces Racism - Applauds Diversity
Chamber President Veronica Horn denounces racism at June 2020 Perc Breakfast and calls for Saginaw exceptionalism in support of inclusion and peace. On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, she announced the intent to actively pursue community partnerships to educate and advocate for a diverse and inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and equality.
Senate Passes Bill Lengthening Coronavirus Small-Business Loan Terms - Needs President's Signature
By Richard Cowan, Andy Sullivan, Reuters

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday giving small businesses up to 24 weeks to use Paycheck Protection Program loans created during the coronavirus pandemic, up from the current eight-week deadline.

The legislation, already passed by the House of Representatives, now goes to President Donald Trump to sign into law. The program was created in March to support small businesses during the pandemic and encourage them to retain their employees.

Under the PPP program, loans for restaurants, hotels and other small businesses would convert into federal grants if recipients adhere to a set of conditions, including spending the loan amount within the required time.

Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Reports:
Changes include:
  • Extending the expense forgiveness period from eight weeks to 24 weeks
  • Reducing the payroll ratio requirement to 60 percent
  • Increasing the loan repayment period from two to five years, on new loans
  • Allowing payroll tax deferment for PPP recipients
  • Extending the June 30 rehiring deadline
President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects

President Trump has signed a series of Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda regulations and expediting high priority energy and infrastructure projects to fulfill campaign promises, create jobs and increase national security.

Presidential Memorandums were signed relating to the following projects:
  • Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline
  • Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline
  • Construction of American Pipelines
  • Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing
  • Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects
Governor Extends Order Allowing Administrative Hearings by Phone, Video Conference

Executive Order 2020-113 continues to allow certain state administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings. This order is effective immediately and remains in effect through June 30, 2020.  
  
Order 2020-113 continues to permit the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency, and other administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings. The order also temporarily allows e-signatures in place of written signatures on related documents.

Resources for Business and the Community
The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of federal, state, and local resources that provide aid and information for your business, employees and our community during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. This information is ever-changing, please check the Chamber's website, Facebook, and your email frequently.

We will add links, resources, and updates as information becomes available. We are also converting our At A Glance Newsletter to include Coronavirus links and information as well as local updates, job availability, member coupons and most importantly Member News. Please let us know what your business is doing and how you are functioning during this uncertain time. We need to stay connected and support each other.

Reopening Plan Templates, Playbooks, and Best Practices can be found on the Saginaw Chamber/Saginaw Future joint Reopening Business Playbook page.

If you are offering a service to help the Saginaw County Community or local businesses weather this storm, please email your information to info@saginawchamber.org.

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