May 18, 2020
TODAY IS THE DAY!

Executive Order 20-56 allows all retail stores, malls, and other businesses that sell, rent, maintain, and repair goods to open, starting today. These businesses must have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan including social distancing guidelines for workers and customers, and allow no more than 50% of the establishment’s occupant capacity at any time.

In support of the effort to open the economy in a safe manner, the Chamber is committed to ensuring Shakopee businesses have the most recent tools and resources to be able to meet the requirements and get back to work -

MN Department of Labor & Industry: https://www.dli.mn.gov/updates MN Retailers Association: https://www.mnretail.org/news/item/reopen

We’ve also updated our website with links to all of the necessary guidance templates and best practices for opening safely: www.shakopee.org

As a means of helping our businesses stand out as a PREPARED & SAFE business, the Chamber has partnered with Dahlen Signs to provide window decals to alert potential guests that your business is taking the necessary precautions to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. We will be distributing these in the next week. Please reach out to us to request a decal and with any questions or concerns.
SBA & Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Details

On Friday, May 15, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.

The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers.

The PPP was created by the CARES Act to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses to keep American workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents released last week will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans.

Click here  to view the application and instructions.
SBA Training This Week: SBA Funding Options Q&A For COVID-19 Related Economic Disruptions

Small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak. Join us and learn about the Payroll Protection Program, as well as SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance Program, and more.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 9:00 AM:  Register

Thursday, May 21, 2020 9:00 AM:  Register
CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS & UPDATES
The Shakopee Chamber is asking our members to consider donating food or money to the CAP Agency Food Shelf.  The demand for their services in our community is great, and the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted their ability to get certain items.   
 
“The Shakopee community has been very responsive in helping us secure items we need to serve our clients,” said Jeff Hansen, Executive Director at Scott, Carver, Dakota CAP Agency. In response to a cereal shortage and the inability to purchase it at Second Harvest, resident and former city council member Mike Luce worked with a local grocer and several donors to secure 24 pallets of cereal at less than half of retail; this will keep cereal in stock at the CAP Agency through the fall.   
 
In April, the CAP Agency served 686 households through their drive-up model and 90 seniors through their mobile food shelf, which amounts to 150,000 pounds of food distributed. In addition, they distributed food for 1226 households, (44,000 pounds of food) through the Esperanza Food Distribution which is held on Saturdays at New Creation Lutheran Church in Shakopee.  
 
Today, the CAP Agency is having a hard time getting instant mashed potatoes, baked beans, flavored rice packets/boxes, and canned pasta (like SpaghettiOs!™), as these items are currently unavailable through Second Harvest. 
 
“We definitely appreciate any and all donations that come in. If an organization would like to make the most impact, then monetary donations definitely give us greater purchase power”, said Hansen. For every $1 donated, the CAP Agency is able to purchase $9 worth of food from local food banks.   
 
TO MAKE A DONATION, CLICK HERE:    https://www.capagency.org/ 
Greystone Construction is pleased to announce the  Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal  ranked Greystone 23rd on their list of the largest Twin Cities general contractors based on revenue in 2019. This is an accomplishment made possible by our excellent team members, industry partners, and clients. Congratulations to the Greystone team!
Between June 1 – 27, visit www.sitsipshakopee.com to place an online order-to-go and 50¢ from every coffee or ice cream purchased (to a maximum of $750) will be donated by Buddy Martin from Country Financial to Firefighters For Healing . Consider adding on a $2 heart that can be purchased, personalized, and placed in their window and/or a $10 Thin Red Line paracord bracelet.

When a Minnesota First Responder is injured or receives a medical diagnosis that requires treatment in the Twin Cities, Firefighters For Healing provides free overnight accommodations for qualifying families. Firefighters For Healing supports families by providing meals, transportation, accommodations, camp scholarships, toys, and more. Learn more at firefightersforhealing.org.
Shakopee Area Resources For COVID-19

The Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau has compiled a list of helpful resources for business and personal issues related to COVID-19. You can find this list on our website, www.shakopee.org .
The Chamber team is working remotely & can be reached via email or cell phone.

Angie Whitcomb, President & CEO
Cell: 612-210-3090

Tim Zunker, VP of Marketing
Cell: 320-493-8605

Ashley Grotewold, Main Street Director
Cell: 605-682-9068

Cristy Chadderdon, Billing & Operations Manager
Cell: 612-245-1183