• Pay It Forward -Economic First Responders. Do you have expertise that you’re willing to share with another small business? Volunteer and Pay It Forward! for details, see below for “At the County and City” to learn about our Pay It Forward program.
• Portico Healthnet offers free health insurance enrollment assistance through MNsure for Minnesotans who have been furloughed, laid-off, or have had changes in income. There may be low or no cost health insurance options for people who no longer have employer-sponsored insurance. Call Portico at 651-489-2273 to learn about your options.

• EO 20-57 addresses summer learning for students
• EO 20-58 authorizes the PUC to hold remote meetings
• EO 20-59 extends the relief from regulations for motor carriers and drivers (related to EO 20-06 and 20-37)

• Today we move from “Stay At Home” to “Stay Safe Minnesota." Continued reminder that social distancing guidelines remain in place.
• On Friday:
• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm and MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann were joined by Dr. Ruth Lynfield, the Minnesota State Epidemiologist.
• Dr. Lynfield shared that a “Health Alert” advisory message was sent to all Minnesota health care providers today, asking them to report cases of a “multisystem inflammatory syndrome” in children that is believed to be connected to COVID-19. The state of New York and some countries in Europe have reported increasing numbers of children presenting with this syndrome, and MDH wants to collect information regarding any potential cases in Minnesota.
• All flags will be flown at half-mast on May 19, 2020, and on the 19 of each month this year, to commemorate the lives lost to COVID-19.
• Announced that over 5,890 lab tests were processed in Minnesota on Thursday, second highest one-day total since testing began.
• Encouraged all Minnesotans who believe they have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested; self-isolate if you are ill.

• Malls
• Opening today: Burnsville Center, Rosedale
• Postponing
• Mall of America - reopening on June 1
• Maplewood Mall - not yet announced
• Twin Cities Premium Outlets, Eagan – not yet announced
•  Some businesses across the state are choosing to open in advance of guidance from the state. It looks like the Attorney General’s office will be enforcing the guidance with fines and a lawsuit.
• MNGOP’s state convention was halted due to potentially malicious interference with the servers used for voting. They will be rescheduling the convention.
• The Minnesota DFL state convention is scheduled for May 30-31, and will be virtual.
• National conventions: The Democratic National Convention, originally scheduled to take place in Milwaukee mid-July, has been postponed until August. The GOP’s national convention is currently scheduled to be held in Charlotte beginning Aug. 24.
• On May 7, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) filed its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021. This final rule describes benefit and payment parameters under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that apply for the 2021 benefit year. 
• Nationally, the number of people filing for unemployment benefits since March now exceeds 36 million. In Minnesota, that number exceeds 600,000.

•  $500 billion fund is proposed to aid state and local governments:
• In the Senate: a bipartisan group of senators plans to introduce legislation today that would establish a $500 billion fund for state and local governments. The money would be divided into three tranches, distributed according to population size, infection rates, and revenue losses, and the bill does not have a population requirement, meaning municipalities of any size can use the money it makes available. All states, in addition to Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, would receive a minimum of $2 billion.
• In the House, a companion bill has been introduced by Representatives Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) and Peter King (R-NY-02) along with a group of bipartisan co-sponsors.

• Minnesota Delegation Updates from Lockridge Grindal Nauen
• Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and a number of her colleagues introduced legislation, the Work Opportunities and Resources to Keep Nonprofit Organizations Well (WORK NOW) Act, to help nonprofit organizations meet an increase in demand for their services due to the coronavirus pandemic while helping newly unemployed Americans get back to work. Read more here.
• Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) announced that the U.S. Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration have heeded their bipartisan call to make rural electric cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more here.
• Congressman Jim Hagedorn (R-MN-01) provided an update on his ongoing cancer treatment, saying that his response to treatment is going “exceedingly well” and that he is “feeling great and working hard.” Read more here.
• Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN-02) announced that the House-passed HEROES Act incorporates her All Dependent Children Count Act which would expand the definition of an eligible dependent under the CARES Act to those younger than 19, students below age 24 and adult dependents. Read more here.
• Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN-03) secured from House leadership a commitment for a vote on the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, a bill he is leading with Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21) that would make revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more here.
• Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) released a statement describing the need for additional funds to be allocated to Native American communities in upcoming relief legislation. Read more here.
• Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led more than 300 lawmakers from two dozen countries in a letter to the leadership of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, calling on them to cancel low-income countries’ debt and provide a major infusion of financial support in response to the pandemic. Read more here.
• Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN-06) signed on as an original cosponsor of the Deal with the Debt Today Act, legislation that would require emergency or disaster spending to be offset over a ten year period. Read more here.
• Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN-07) released a statement explaining his vote in favor of the HEROES Act, saying that despite “serious concerns with some of the provisions” the bill would provide “much-needed support” for agricultural producers and local governments. Read more here.
• Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) hosted a public conference call to hear from Minnesotans concerned about the impact that Governor Walz’s Stay at Home Executive Order has on their outdoor recreation traditions, livelihoods, and Northern Minnesota’s economy. Read more here.

• Pay It Forward - Economic First Responders. St. Paul, in partnership with Ramsey County, SCORE-St. Paul, SPACC, and a variety of TA agencies, are offering a program that provides greater technical assistance and mentoring opportunities to our small businesses. Businesses are sifting through the tax implications of many COVID federal resources, weighing the costs of staying open or closing, and needing additional financial support. This is a great program for individuals who have expertise in various business assistance areas to become a Pay It Forward volunteer as well as for our business community who is in need of additional support. All Ramsey County businesses are eligible for this program. Information about the program can be found here.

• Ramsey County Small Business Relief and Reopening Assistance. In its use of direct appropriation of Treasury funds, Ramsey County is prioritizing grants for small businesses, specifically Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) that are the most vulnerable to economic distress. May 27 is the target date for applications to be available on their website. The first round of funding will push out $5 million in $7,500 grants.

• Ramsey, Hennepin, Washington, Anoka, and Carver counties Business4Business. Together with GreaterMSP and area chambers, the counties are engaging in conversations with our businesses to hear how we might come together to support small businesses with additional relief assistance, donations of technical assistance hours, or through other creative support. Our counties plan to support this initiative through Board actions the week of May 27. Stay tuned for more details on this!

• CEDS Plan & EDA Funding. Many of you are aware that applications are now open to access federal EDA funding. GreaterMSP has been working with the chambers, counties, and the Metropolitan Council to approve a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to tie to funding requests. We see the value in strategizing funding requests as a region. If you have ideas for these funds please let me know.

• PPP updates from SBA:
• Treasury has released loan forgiveness guidelines: Click here to view the application and instructions.
• Paycheck Protection Program still has money available for organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19. Contact participating lenders. 
• General information: www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection or www.sba.gov/ppp and https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/assistance-for-small-businesses

• EIDL status updates: available through SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance 800-659-2955; disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

• To stay up to date on the assistance we are offering, follow us on Twitter @SBA_Minnesota and subscribe to our district emails via www.sba.gov/updates (enter your local zip code)
• SBA Resource Partners are ready to help with no-cost, one-on-one business counseling regarding COVID-19.
• SBA Training
• SBA Funding Options Q&A for COVID-19 Related Economic Disruptions Tue, May 19, 2020 9:00 AM
• Información Sobre Recursos Para Negocios Tuesday, May 19, 2020 5 PM
• SBA Funding Options Q&A for COVID-19 Related Economic Disruptions Thu, May 21, 2020 9:00 AM

• Minnesota Retailers Association has created a webpage for retailers re-opening. Walks you through requirements and best practices.
• Innovative Office Solutions has developed a return to work program guide they are generous enough to share. They include ideas, products, and preparedness plan. Questions can be directed to Karla Gunderson. 
• The interactive Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard can be found here.
• Mayo has launched global COVID-19 dashboard.
• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), DEED, and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) have developed a template plan and guidance that businesses can use as a starting point. Businesses aren’t required to use this template, but a business’ plan does need to follow CDC and MDH guidelines and OSHA standards.
• Thinking through how/when to return to office? For safely returning to physical locations for work, DEED has information for employers and employees. DEED is receiving questions on items not covered. Here's the link to get answers and provide feedback to help the State refine its approach.
• If your small business is within ½ mile of Allianz Field, apply for a grant from the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative. This grant is specifically for small businesses within a half mile of Allianz Field with annual revenue below $3 million who are either a small business or nonprofit with a retail or service-based business model.
• Thank you to Target for sharing their COVID-19 safety tool kit.
• North Risk Partners is offering a guide and sample plan to help you build your action plan for bringing employees back to work.
• Get help from SCORE mentors via the Coronavirus Business Resource Center.
• The Entrepreneur Fund has COVID-19 Updates & Resources and is offering 30-minute consults with a Lender or Advisor by email or phone.
• WomenVenture is open, ready to help with its COVID 19 Update Hub.
• Visit DEED's Covid 19 webpage and is offering a Small Business Emergency Loan Program and Safely Returning to Work.
• WBDC/WBENC Covid 19 resources for Women Owned Businesses
• Minnesota COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Info.