Business News
June 26, 2020
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The Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund is a non-profit recently launched to provide forgivable loans of $3,000 to Pennsylvania small businesses struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility criteria is simple:
- Employs between 3 and 30 people
- Based in Pennsylvania and operating for at least a year
- Owned and operated by a Pennsylvania resident
- Operate as a for profit business.
Eligible employers must complete a
short application
and submit a video detailing how they could benefit from the funding. The funds do not need to be repaid. However, business owners who are able may choose to "pay it forward" by paying the proceeds back to the Fund to be used by other small businesses.
The Chamber has been informed that the application process is simple and that preference is being given to those that are involved in their community.
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COVID-19 Relief PA Statewide Small Business Assistance
The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. The Pennsylvania CDFI Network, a coalition of 17 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that will support small businesses throughout the Commonwealth to access the grant funds, has issued an initial
fact shee
t
.
Please note that this is not a first-come, first-served program and that there will be multiple rounds of application windows. The application window for the first round of funding is
expected to open on June 30th and remain open for 10 business days
.
Though this
fact sheet
contains the most updated information, it is anticipated that there will be future updates as more details are finalized. With this in mind, it is recommended that interested parties also visit
https://pabusinessgrants.com/
to stay apprised of news and updates.
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Masks Are Mandatory
Wearing a mask is an important part of keeping COVID-19 from spreading.
Everyone must wear a mask. That includes workers and customers. Remember, my mask protects you and your mask protects me.
No mask, no shirt, no shoes, no service. If a worker or customer attempts to enter your business without a mask on, ask them to leave and return when they have a mask. A fabric mask is fine if they aren't a medical worker or first responder.
Have good mask hygiene. Don't touch the front of your mask. Make sure it covers both your nose and mouth. Don't lift it up when talking to someone. Remember, the virus travels in the droplets we breath out when talking or laughing, not just when we cough or sneeze. If wearing a fabric mask, make sure you wash it and let it fully dry between uses.
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80 Pennsylvania Chambers of Commerce Urge Safe Harbor Protections for Business
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Office Hours by Appointment
Staff is returning to the office to work on a part-time basis. Please contact us if you need to make an appointment to meet and we will adjust our office hours accordingly. Masks are required for anyone entering the Chamber office.
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Silver Screen Becomes Silver Lining Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Bedford County Chamber of Commerce to Partner with Bedford County Fair for
Saturday Night Drive-In Movie Series Beginning July 4th
The events (Saturdays thru Sept. 5th) will take place in accordance with CDC guidelines for safety during the Coronavirus pandemic, including two Thursday evening movie nights with a live music lead-in! ($20pp - tickets sales starting soon.) Please wear masks to visit concession stand and rest rooms.
July 30 - Celtic Night - 6PM
featuring Live Music by Full Kilt
& Film: Making of Byrne & Kelly's Echoes
August 6 - Summer Sounds
with the Jackson Monsour Band
& Film: Six Days, Seven Nights
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Veterinary and Senior Guidance
New veterinary guidance
allows for the resumption of non-essential services and routine or elective surgical procedures, like spaying and neutering.
Guidance from the Department of Aging includes
procedures to resume operations
at adult day centers, senior community centers and aging and protective services that involve in-home visits.
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Flowchart Helps Employers Understand New Tax Credits
The IRS recently issued
Publication 5419, New Employer Tax Credits (PDF)
to help employers understand the tax credits available to them due to the coronavirus pandemic. The one-page document breaks down the details of the Employer Retention Credit and the credits for paid sick and family leave in easy-to-follow charts. Using the document, employers can quickly determine whether they are eligible for the credits, the amount of the credits and which wages apply to the credits.
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Updated: U.S. Chamber Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
The U.S. Chamber published an updated version of the previously shared Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness. The updates were made to reflect the changes made to the PPP following the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act—which eases rules around how small businesses can use their loan funds—earlier this month.
Click here
to view the U.S. Chamber's updated Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are responsible for updating the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. You can find the most up-to-date information
here
.
Program changes include:
- Extending the time to spend PPP funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks;
- Lowering the amount that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60%;
- Extending the deadline to restore FTEs and payroll from June 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020; and
- Setting the repayment term for loans made after June 4, 2020 at five years.
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Business Resources
Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary
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COVID -19 County Relief Block Grant Program
The
COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant Program
makes $625M available to, among other purposes, offset the cost of direct county COVID-19 response, assist municipalities with COVID-19 response and planning efforts, fund nonprofit assistance programs, deploy broadband to unserved or underserved areas and support CEDOs, LDDs, IRCs, SBDCs and EDCs for costs related to assisting businesses during the COVID-19 disaster emergency.
Only county governments not directly funded by the federal government are eligible to receive the COVID-19 County Block Grant Program funding through DCED. There are 60 out of 67 PA counties that meet this criteria. Because DCED is only managing the grants to counties, inquiries by entities other than eligible counties should be directed to the offices of the appropriate county commissioners.
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Food Service Guidance
All retail food service businesses, including restaurants, private event spaces and wedding venues with food service, licensed clubs, and bars located in counties designated as being in the Green phase are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales, as well as dine-in service in both indoor and outdoor seating areas, so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of this guidance including maximum occupancy limits.
- Bar seating may be utilized provided that customers are seated and comply with physical distancing guideline of at least 6 feet or physical barriers between customers. Standing in a bar area will not be permitted.
- A maximum of four customers that have a common relationship may sit together at the bar, while adhering to the physical distancing guidelines or barriers between other customers.
This guidance applies to all restaurants, private event spaces and wedding venues with food service, licensed clubs, and bars, regardless of whether the business operates within a larger facility such as a hotel, casino, convention center, conference center or similar large venue.
No business is required to conduct in-person operations, and should not do so if the business is unable to do so in accordance with all applicable guidance
.
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Small Business Development Center Webinars
R3: Designing a Resiliency Roadmap for 30/60/90 Days
Beginning Monday, June 29
This 4-part series will address small business Re-evaluation, Recovery, and Regeneration strategies in the introductory workshop followed by check-ins at the 30-60-90 day marks. The R3 program will give business leaders a chance to learn from experts, network with other businesses, and create a new way of doing business.
Refining the Retail New Normal Recorded Webinar Series
Host: Penn State Extension
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Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to continue bringing you the information you need during this difficult time.
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Download this questionnaire for sample screening questions to ask employees upon return to work and on a regular basis moving forward. This template is based on questions required or recommended by various states as well as input from U.S. Chamber member companies of all sizes and sectors.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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Huntingdon County Strong:
Business and Community Resources
Click graphic below.
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Contact Us
Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
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Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation.
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