Resource Updates COVID-19

From the desk of B Kyle and the SPACC team - a great update!

• As we prepare to “reopen our economy,” DLI and DEED (with input from MDH) have devised a Business Plan Preparedness Template. Its intent is to provide guidance for businesses as they prepare a safety plan for moving forward. The link is here. Feedback is welcome, and you can direct your input to DLICovidPlan@state.mn.us.
• Minnesota Retailers Association has published Critical Steps for Minnesota’s Retailers & Consumers. Read their proposal here. 
• On Friday, SPACC joined over 70 chambers in a letter to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation requesting additional funding for chambers (501c6 organizations). Particularly vulnerable are the smallest of chambers who also are not eligible for the U.S. Chamber’s recently announced Save Small Business Fund.
• On that note: for small businesses with 3-20 employees (in eligible zip codes), be sure to apply to the U.S. Chamber’s Save Small Business Fund. The application went live today at 2pm; applicants need only to submit a current W9. Heavy demand caused problems with their website immediately after launch. Hopefully they will resolve that quickly so people can begin applying.

• Increasingly, employers are identifying issues with UI compliance, including employees who are declining to return to work for various reasons. All issues can be directed here.
• FFCRA compliance: the U.S. Department of Labor is running point on this, and employers with questions about how to implement can find out more information here. I am seeing lots of questions about how to determine eligibility. Full write-up of the Legislative Update can be found here.

As always, you can find more information on our COVID-19 Resource page and the Ramsey County Means Business page, as well as links to partner organization resource pages and an for more information an archive of my previous Situation Reports.

Know that we continue to work with our partners to organize information and coordinate efforts to educate our community. As always, if you still have questions about resources available, contact our Rapid Response Team to assist you in finding an answer.

Be well!