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Business Information & Resources
Recovery Phase of COVID-19
Happy Independence Day to You!
T his email is meant to share updates with our downtown and partnered businesses.
We are here to help - If you have questions or need help getting word to your customers/community let us know. We will use social media and other means to help you share news and updates.

Please send details or links to the items you want shared by email or Facebook Message msothan@mainstreetbeatrice.org and info@mainstreetbeatrice.org
or call 402-223-3244
*** Federal and State Stimulus Relief
for Small Businesses ***
Get Nebraska Growing

Get Nebraska Growing is a new effort by the State of Nebraska to utilize Federal dollars sent to the State via the CARES Act to help grow Nebraska in the wake of these recent economic hits.
This includes programs for worker training, broadband, and leadership training.
The for profit Small Business Stabilization Grant deadline has passed.

To learn more about Get Nebraska Growing or to apply please visit https://getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov/

All non-profit 501c3 organizations are eligible to apply for CARES Act support.
The deadline for the stabilization grants for non-profits is Monday, July 6th

The stabilization grants for non-profits are on a first come first serve basis, are for $12,000 or more and can be paired with other stimulus or relief funding. There is no minimum number of employees required.
The Response and Recovery grants require a detailed plan to be submitted.

Childcare Providers and Centers for Worship should look into the Healthy Places Grants http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Community-CARES-Healthy-Places-Grant.aspx
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers guidance for businesses and employers to plan for and respond to Coronavirus disruptions, for general information please visit: SBA.gov The SBA is now offering two primary assistance tools The Paycheck Protection Program known as PPP (through local banks) and through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program that provides small businesses with working capital loans and a $10,000 forgivable advance (now limited to $1,000 per employee). These tools are designed to provide vital economic support to small businesses to help avoid closure by keeping employees on the payroll or allowing a business to rehire employees. The programs are open to non-profit organizations, sole-proprietors, contract workers, and all traditional small businesses.

Guide to all available SBA Covid-19 Small Business Funding Resources can be found here - This includes the PPP, EIDL, Express Bridge Loans, and Debt Relief Programs.

The EIDL Program has reopened for small business applications.

The PPP Program has closed but may re-open again later this summer.

There is new information regarding PPP loan forgiveness. Many businesses can now use the funds over a 24 week period rather than the initial 8 week period if desired. Plus other changes. Please consult with your lender for more details.

Learn more about the new timelines and procedures

Learn more about the new application process for loan forgiveness
There are still restrictions in place but those restrictions were eased somewhat on June 22. Most businesses can resume operations if it makes sense for them to do so under the new rules. This does not mean that you must re-open or do so completely right away but that option is certainly available for most businesses within these new rules.

We have heard an appreciation for businesses that are taking active steps to protect customers, especially among our senior and vulnerable population.

These rules went into effect on June 22nd and further lifted restrictions.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has provided additional information for some types of businesses to navigate the new rules.

If you are looking for good posters that may help educate your employees, remind customers, and provide some level of liability protection please visit the above link for printable options.

The Beatrice Chamber along with other State Chamber partners have signed a letter asking for Federal assistance to reduce business liability amid the pandemic. If you have questions about your liability risks please consult your insurance agent or attorney.

No date has yet been given as to when this phase will go into effect.
Watercooler Wednesday Continues!
The Beatrice Chamber, Main Street Beatrice, and NGage are here to serve you -  always -  but certainly during this time. We want to connect with you virtually in a new weekly series we're calling "Gage County Watercooler Talk". Join us on Facebook live on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's, at 10:00am, where we'll give you an update and provide tips for our business community. We will also answer your questions. Check the NGage , Beatrice Chamber , or Main Street Facebook pages for details.

Find and join the Gage County Watercooler Talk Group on Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/groups/193923201574410/
Nebraska Asking More People to Sign up for Test Nebraska.

Another Testing Event for Beatrice is Expected.

Nebraska is still scaling up capability to test for COVID-19. The State has launched a public-private partnership to significantly expand testing in Nebraska over the next several weeks. The program will enlist Nebraskans to take an assessment, get tested, and track their health.

Everyone is asked to sign up for Test Nebraska as it will help provide valuable data for where to move testing events too and for efforts in knowing how best to lift restrictions in the future.

Free testing through the Test Nebraska sites is now available in Lincoln and Fairbury and will again be available in Beatrice at a future date still to be announced. Testing can also be done through the Beatrice Community Hospital although not a part of Test Nebraska.

Do Masks Work?
Read more from the Nebraska Medical Center
Summer is here and that means it's tournament season for softball and baseball in Beatrice!

Every weekend through the end of July we will have softball and baseball tourneys in town which means many visitors! Last weekend 96 teams and their families were in Beatrice.

These visitors will be out in the community between games, visiting local shops, restaurants, using our outdoor recreation areas, staying in area campgrounds and hotels.  We hope you can take advantage of these potential customers, consider adjusting your marketing or making staff adjustments to accommodate and attract the influx of visitors in our community.
#ShopLocalSafely
We continue to promote Shop Local Safely
If you have a social media post or message you would like us to help share please contact us.

Take this time to improve your online and social media presence.

Have you claimed your free Google Business Listing? No better time than now.
The City of Beatrice & Beatrice Community Hospital are posting regular updates.


Community Partners
We have been working closely with our community partners, if you have a request of us please ask.


Main Street Beatrice | Website | 402-223-3244 |
205 N 4th Street / P.O. Box 125 Beatrice, NE 68310