IMPORTANT UPDATES
While we all feel our business is essential, be sure to understand the spirit of the order from Williamson County. There have been several businesses that have remained open in defiance of this order. Understand you may be subject to a fine if you continue to run your business (as usual) while this order is in place and you are not one of the exceptions to the order.
If you can, run your business from your residence. This order does not expect you to not run your business from home if you have that capability, but it does intend for you to shut down a store-front if you are not an essential business.
FEDERAL AND STATE UPDATE FOR BUSINESS
The Senate passed the Stimulus Bill yesterday, and the House of Representatives will bring it to a vote today most likely. It is important to know; the details of this Bill have not been finalized. While we have a good idea of what will be in this package, be sure to look it over once it is passed by the House and signed by the President. It has not been completed yet!
Governor Abbott issued Executive Orders mandating a 14-day quarantine for travelers arriving from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, as well as the City of New Orleans, LA. This Executive Order is consistent with the guidance of Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and will be enforced by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY UPDATES
The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) announced five new positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the
County’s total to 27
. At this stage information is very limited, WCCHD and Williamson County will share more as it becomes available and necessary to protect the health of the public.
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider. It is important to call ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential spread.
CITY OF CEDAR PARK
Of the 27 cases in Williamson County, six of these individuals are in Cedar Park. These six individuals come from four separate households and are quarantining at home in accordance with CDC Guidelines.
Cedar Park City Council was held last night. During the Council Meeting, Emergency Management Coordinator John Cummins gave an update on COVID-19. At the closing of the meeting, many Council Members urged the public to be aware of their surroundings, continue to stay at home as ordered by Williamson County unless you need to leave for one of the essential reasons and to wipe down surfaces and practice good hygiene habits.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) DISASTER LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster-damaged property. SBA disaster loans offer an affordable way for individuals and businesses to recover from declared disasters.
This is a three-step process, and you can get started on it right now!
- Step 1: Apply for the Loan. You can do this at the SBA’s secure website (https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/).
- Step 2: Property is Verified, and Loan-Processing Decision is Made. On a conference call yesterday, SBA Administrator Carranza has said processing these documents will not slow down the process. There are IRS documents you need, and they will look at, but it will not slow down the loan process.
- Step 3: Loan Closed and Funds Disbursed. SBA will prepare and send loan closing documents to you for your signature.
The first payment for the Loan has been deferred for 1 year from the time you are approved for that loan.
You can use our press release as a guide for the process to apply and submit your Disaster Loan. Please find a copy of that news release on our website by
CLICKING HERE
.
CLOSING
I want to take a moment on this Friday edition of our COVID-19 News You Can Use Newsletter to recognize the Chamber Staff. Without hesitation, everybody on the Chamber Staff jumped into action to help put these daily newsletters together. They have been continuously updating our website with information on restaurant, retail and healthcare updates. We have heard from many in the community who have said thank you, but it is my turn to do it here. Thank you Lyndee, Andrea, Alyssa and Maegan for all you are doing to continue these updates.
We have published a 5-minute survey. Please take a moment to fill this out and let us know the current business climate in our community.
CLICK HERE
You can see there are many other links which will continue to be available to you, your business, your friends and neighbors through this crisis both through this newsletter and on the Cedar Park Chamber website (CedarParkChamber.org).
Please forward this newsletter to people who can use it! They can sign up for the newsletter as well.
Please know we are here to help you. We are YOUR business advocate. Stay safe and let us know how we can help!
Tony Moline, IOM, PCED
President & CEO
Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce
