Treatment of PPP Loans by IRS May Lead to Unexpected Costs
The IRS released a notice explaining that small businesses using PPP loans will not be able to deduct things like rent, payroll, and mortgage expenses paid for under the program. Legislation has been introduced in the Senate to clarify that these expenses are deductible.
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Governor Requests Extension to Utilize Michigan National Guard through July 31 from President Trump
Governor Gretchen Whitmer today sent a letter to President Trump requesting an extension of Title 32 authority in order to use Michigan National Guard forces to combat the spread of COVID-19 through July 31, 2020. Title 32 status, which provides for federal pay and benefits, is currently authorized by the President through June 24.
“The Michigan National Guard has been instrumental in flattening the COVID-19 curve in Michigan by performing testing throughout the state, distributing Personal Protective Equipment, food, and medical supplies, providing warehousing support, disinfecting public spaces, and assisting the Department of Health and Human Services with testing,” Governor Whitmer said. “I’m requesting an extension to continue utilizing the Michigan National Guard so we can safely reopen our economy while putting the health and well-being of all Michiganders first.”
In addition to requiring Title 32 authority to fully utilize the Michigan National Guard, Gov. Whitmer is making her request in order to ensure Guard members receive federal retirement and education benefits made available under the GI Bill. If Title 32 authority expires on June 24, some Guard members will not be eligible to receive these benefits.
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Toiletry Donations Drop-off for Midland Flood Victims Thursday, May 38 and Friday May 29 from 9-Noon
The Great Lakes Business Alliance is accepting donations of toiletry items for people across Midland County who have been displaced by flooding. Drop-off is available Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, 117 Main Street, Suite 3 in Freeland. The Alliance is also accepting cash donations which they will use to purchase additional toiletry items based on wh at's needed most after all collections are received.
Items needed are: Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Disposable Razors, Deodorant, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste.
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USDA Now Accepting Applications for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, Seeks Comments on Additional Entities to Include
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pursuant to a final rule issued on May 21, 2020, began accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The program aims to provide financial relief to farmers and ranchers who have faced a five percent or greater price decline or who experienced losses due to market supply chain disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA outlines several eligible commodities including non-specialty crops, wool, livestock, dairy, and a limited number of specific specialty crops. Eligible producers may apply until August 28, 2020. In addition, USDA will accept public comments on the rule to hear from entities who feel they should be eligible to receive assistance but may not already be covered. Public comments will be accepted until June 22, 2020.
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Governor Directs EGLE to Investigate Failures of Edenville, Sanford Dams
Department also asked to review dam safety across the state
Governor Whitmer has directed the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to investigate what caused the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam to fail, resulting in historic flooding in several mid-Michigan counties. Gov. Whitmer also asked EGLE to review the larger issue of dam safety in Michigan and provide recommendations on policy, legislative, budgetary, and enforcement reforms that can prevent these harms from repeating elsewhere.
The letter to EGLE is one of many steps Gov. Whitmer has taken to marshal necessary resources to ensure residents and their families have access to help needed to recover from this disaster. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency on May 19 for Midland City and Midland County and has since expanded the declaration to include additional impacted counties of Arenac, Gladwin, Saginaw, and Iosco to ensure those areas have the resources they need. On May 20, Gov. Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump urging him to approve a federal emergency declaration for Midland County, which was approved on May 21.
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FERC Announces Technical Conference on Impacts of COVID-19 on Energy Industry
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced a two-day technical conference to allow the public to provide information on energy issues that the country faces as it recovers from the COVID-19 emergency.
The conference will take place on July 8 and 9, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The Commission seeks information on:
- the energy industry’s ongoing and potential future operational and planning challenges due to COVID-19;
- the potential impacts of changes in electric demand on operations, planning, and infrastructure development; (3) the potential impacts of changes in natural gas and oil demand on operations, planning, and infrastructure development; and
- issues related to access to capital, including credit, liquidity, and return on equity issues.
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Resources for Business and the Community
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The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of federal, state, and local resources that provide aid and information for your business, employees and our community during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. This information is ever-changing, please check the Chamber's
website,
Facebook, and your email frequently.
We will add links, resources, and updates as information becomes available. We are also converting our At A Glance Newsletter to include Coronavirus links and information as well as local updates, job availability, member coupons and most importantly Member News. Please let us know what your business is doing and how you are functioning during this uncertain time. We need to stay connected and support each other.
Reopening Plan Templates, Playbooks, and Best Practices can be found on the Saginaw Chamber/Saginaw Future joint
Reopening Business Playbook page.
If you are offering a service to help the Saginaw County Community or local businesses weather this storm, please email your information to
info@saginawchamber.org.
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Post your Job Openings
Find Coronavirus Information
Stay Connected!
Please share this page with anyone who might need a source for information or connection.
Thank you and stay healthy.
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