Important Relief For Businesses Impacted By Restrictions Under Executive Order 20-99 & Other COVID-19 Executive Orders + Unemployment Extension Passed By The Legislature
This evening during its seventh special session, Minnesota's Legislature passed relief for businesses impacted by Executive Order 20-99 and other COVID-19 executive orders as well as relief for Minnesotans with unemployment benefits set to expire soon.
Here is a summary of what passed in the $216.8 million business relief package:
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$88 million to businesses closed to the public under Executive Order 20-99 and experiencing at least a 30% sales decline (compared to 2019) that provide on-site food and beverages including bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries as well as bowling alleys and fitness or sports recreation centers. Relief amounts ($10,000 - $45,000) will be based on number of workers and be administered directly by the Minnesota Department of Revenue with distribution as soon as possible.
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$114.8 million directly to Minnesota counties for grants to eligible businesses and nonprofits impacted by any executive order related to COVID-19. Each county would receive a minimum of $256,250 or $19.25 per capita amount based on its 2019 population. Each Minnesota county will administer these relief funds including making eligibility decisions and can add their own eligibility requirements with disbursement of funds by March 13, 2021.
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$14 million for movie theaters and multipurpose convention centers with a capacity of at least 1,500 people. A per screen formula will be used to help movie theaters and several factors would be considered for convention center allocations. This relief will be administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Today's action also included important unemployment support for Minnesota's workers, including:
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An extension of unemployment benefits for individuals who exhaust their regular or pandemic unemployment benefits between December 19, 2020 and April 3, 2021 if an individual is eligible to receive additional unemployment benefits.
- Eligibility includes Minnesotans unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to lack of work and meet the requirements for regular unemployment benefits established in Minnesota Statutes.
There are many legislators who are due credit for championing this important relief package, and MnRA extends a special thank you to Sen. Eric Pratt and Rep. Tim Mahoney for their commitment to passing this package.
MnRA appreciates the leadership of the Legislature and Governor Walz, and his team, on this needed relief package which includes provisions advocated for by MnRA and many others.
