Whitefish Chamber Tuesday Update
May 19, 2020
In this issue
  • Bullock to announce details of move to 'Phase 2' of reopening
  • Billions still available in PPP relief funding
  • JCCS online seminar looks at SBA Loan Forgiveness process
  • Webinar focuses on impacts of -- and recovering from -- COVID-19
Press conference set for 3 p.m. today
Governor to announce plans
for moving to 'Phase 2'  

      Governor Steve Bullock has set a press conference for 3 p.m. this afternoon to unveil his plans for moving to the "next phase" of reopening the Montana economy.   No details have yet been released by the Governor's Office, which issued a media alert late this morning about this afternoon's press conference.  

     We will bring you as much detail as we can in tomorrow's Chamber Update ... but if you want to hear the news for yourself, the press conference will be streamed live on the Montana Public Affairs Network Facebook Page.
COVID-19 relief for local small businesses
Billions still available in PPP funding
     
     More than $1.7 billion in "forgivable" loans have already been approved for more than 21,000 Montana small businesses through the federal Payroll Protection Program, but more than $100 billion remains in the pot for business owners affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

     The PPP provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits, and can also be used to pay mortgage interest, rent and utilities.  The loans can be fully forgiven if funds are used in accordance with program requirements.

     For details on the program, contact your commercial lender or CLICK HERE to visit the U.S. Small Business Administration's website.    
Free webinar this Friday at 9 a.m.
Breaking-down the PPP 'forgiveness' application

     OK ... so you've got your PPP loan approved and you're all jacked-up, 'cuz it promises to cover your payroll, rent and utilities for the next couple of months.  That's a big deal!

     Not so fast, big guy (or gal) ... now you've got to jump through all the "hoops" that the U.S. Small Business Administration has put in front of you, otherwise that "forgivable" loan might not be forgiven at all!

     That's where our friends at JCCS CPAs come in ... they'll be holding a live Zoom webinar on Friday morning at 9, focusing on the "Application for Forgiveness" that was released by the SBA last week, and all of the nuances contained in the official instructions for complying with the PPP requirements.

      CLICK HERE to register for the free seminar, and make sure you're taking the steps you need to take advantage of this valuable COVID relief program.
Webinar with MT Chamber & Bureau of Business Research 
What COVID has cost, and how we recover

     Last Friday afternoon, Dr. Pat Barkey of the state's Bureau of Business and Economic Research and Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair hosted a wide-ranging webinar focusing on the impacts that the COVID-19 crisis has had on Montana's economy, and what "recovery" will look like in the months and years ahead.

     Dr. Barkey's preliminary analysis aims to help Montana businesses owners understand the challenges that our economy faces, both today and in the near future.  CLICK HERE to watch the pre-recorded video.  
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce | P.O. Box 1120, 505 E. Second Street
Whitefish, MT 59937 | (406) 862-3501 |   whitefishchamber.org
STAY CONNECTED: