June 15, 2020
Minnesota Ready: A New Coalition To Safely Reopen MN's Economy 

Businesses throughout Minnesota – especially small businesses – are eagerly awaiting their turn to fully open. They have taken the necessary safety precautions, with detailed, effective preparedness plans in place. Knowing that they could reopen or increase customer capacity on a certain date would help small businesses start to refuel our economy, and safely welcome back their employees and customers.
 
Small businesses are the economic engine of our state’s future. Without decisive action, many will be lost. This is not simply a personal loss for business owners. This is a loss to the employees, their communities, the local governments and the state in terms of commercial and economic activity.
 
The Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau is partnering with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and over 50 other local chambers of commerce and trade organizations to form the Minnesota Ready Coalition in an effort to quickly and safely reopen Minnesota's economy.

What can you do to help? 
 
Contact Governor Walz and legislators to let them know that it's time to safely reopen Minnesota's economy on or before Friday, June 19.  

Read this letter the Minnesota Ready Coalition sent to Governor Walz.
Safely Opening MN Businesses

As we work to encourage Governor Walz to open the state 100%, it is important that our businesses open safely and honor the social contract COVID-19 has forced us all to sign. 

Click here for the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan template. For industry-specific guidance documents to aide businesses in the development of their COVID-19 Preparedness Plans, click here . For additional information or assistance in developing a plan, businesses can contact MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation at 651-284-5060 or via email . For

We are all in this together, and together is the only way we are going to get through it.
From The SBA: 5 Things To Know About The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

1) More than $130 billion in PPP funding is still available, with more flexibility on how it can be used. PPP funds are still available for small businesses, independent contractors, nonprofits, and tribal businesses whose operations were impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. Now, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act extends the time to spend loan proceeds from eight weeks to 24 weeks and expands the percentage of funds that can be used for non-payroll expenses. 
2) The last date on which a PPP loan application can be approved is June 30. While many extensions and flexibilities were enacted with recent legislation, one date still remains: the last day a PPP loan application can be approved is June 30, 2020. Now is the time to apply for a PPP loan.
3) SBA Resource Partners can help you with the PPP application or loan forgiveness process. Through webinars, virtual meetings and phone calls, business advisers from the SBA Resource Partner Network are helping small businesses navigate the PPP process. Plus, they are working with businesses on their individual recovery plans. Connect with a SBA Resource Partner near you or one of the many other helpful resources from the Federal Resources for Small Businesses website .
4) Share how the PPP has helped your business.  The SBA has been answering a lot of questions from businesses about the PPP process along the way. Now they want to hear the end result. Tell them your story of how the PPP has helped your business and your employees.
5) Report fraud to the SBA Office of Inspector General. While new programs are helping people through difficult times, unfortunately, it comes with new avenues for scams and fraud. If you suspect fraud on an SBA program or want to learn more about known scams and alerts, visit the  SBA Office of Inspector General website .
Chamber Ribbon Cutting At Caravel Autism Health

Thursday, June 25
10:00 AM
4201 Dean Lakes Boulevard, Shakopee

Please join us in welcoming Caravel Autism Health to Shakopee! This socially-distanced ribbon cutting will also be broadcast on Facebook Live.

At Caravel Autism Health, their mission is to change lives. Caravel Autism Health’s team of autism health professionals is dedicated to working with children with autism and related developmental disabilities and their families to develop skills, create connections and instill confidence. 
Turtle's Bar & Grill Celebrates 30 Years Of Business!

We would like to wish Turtle's Bar & Grill a huge congratulations as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary! The success of your restaurant is due to the consistently high quality of your food and service. Your business is more than an excellent dining establishment - it is also an important gathering place for our community. Thank you for being a cornerstone of Downtown Shakopee's growth and prosperity. Best wishes on many more years of success.

Though it's not the big celebration they had originally planned, Turtle's will be having a little party TONIGHT, June 15! Shakopee's own Dick Jonckowski will take the mic at 6:30 PM to spread his wisdom, share some memories and of course, tell some jokes! Then the Singers On Barstools take the stage for live music from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. In addition, they will be tapping 2 collaboration beers that they've partnered in with Shakopee's brewing forces,  Shakopee BrewHall  and  Badger Hill Brewing Company ! They will be putting some extra tables out in the street area so people can chat with friends, talk about 30 years of Turtle's memories, and start making some new ones!
Celebrate Graduation With QDOBA

Be at the top of the class when you celebrate graduation with QDOBA! Whether it’s enjoying one of our customizable hot bars or a family meal, savor this special occasion and let QDOBA catering handle the rest – with easy ordering and delivery. Call 888.778.2234 or go to  qdobamn.com/graduation-catering/  for more info!