COVID-19 Member Guide

New Information on Legislation

American Rescue Plan

President Biden just signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion relief fund. The package includes federal aid and support that will be crucial to the recovery of the tourism industry, including: 

• $350 billion to states and local governments, with explicit authority given to allow funds to aid the travel and tourism industry
• $3 billion for Economic Development Administration grants, with 25% ($750 million) set aside for communities affected by job loss in travel and tourism
• Extends the Employee Retention Tax Credit through the end of 2021 and adds enhancements for businesses experiencing at least a 90% decline in revenue
• $8 billion in grants for airports with an $800 million set-aside for airport concessionaires
• $15 billion to airlines through the Payroll Support Program
• Ensures that eligible applicants for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program can access both SVOG and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• $28 billion to restaurants, bars, tasting rooms and other food services through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
• $7.25 billion to the PPP that allows larger nonprofits to qualify
• $12.7 billion for a national vaccination program, which creates community inoculation centers nationwide along with mobile units for hard-to-reach areas
• $50 billion to improve testing and contract tracing capabilities

More details about the bill can be accessed here.

We're All In Small Business Grant 

Safer-at-Home Order Overturned

With the Safer-at-Home order overturned last week in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, that means businesses are able to open back up without restrictions. The Waushara County Health Department has come out with some safety recommendations that will help all businesses open safely for their customers and their employees. To see those reccomendations, visit https://www.co.waushara.wi.us/pView.aspx?id=12725&catid=636.

The Waushara Area Chamber of Commerce also strongly encourages you to look at the guidelines created by WEDC for reopening. These guidelines will help you sort out what the best practices are for keeping you, your staff, and the public safe....adopting some of these and letting your customers know what you're doing can also help create a climate where your customers feel safe to return. WEDC has posted guidelines by industry sector that are common sense and easy to understand. You can review these recommendations by visiting https://wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/

We want to assist you in planning a successful reopening and remind you to utilize your OpLinks to advertise any changes. Also, don't forget to reach out to our local media to reach those customers who aren't on Social Media. Their contact information is below:

The Waushara Argus: 920-787-3334

102.3 The Bug: 920-361-3551 / 920-748-5111

WDUX: 715-258-5528 

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.
 
To apply for forgiveness of your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, you (the Borrower) must complete this application as directed in the instructions, and submit it to your Lender (or the Lender that is servicing your loan). Borrowers may also complete this application electronically through their Lender.

Click Here to access application.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance 

PUA Overview

PUA is a new temporary federal program that provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) such as:

• Individuals who are self-employed.
• Certain independent contractors.
• Individuals with limited recent work history.
• Other workers not covered by Regular UI.

To be eligible for PUA, your reason for no longer working must fall within one of the COVID-19 Scenarios.

Other PUA Publications:

• Claiming PUA in Wisconsin (Claimant Handbook), PUA-10-P
• PUA Rights and Responsibilities, PUA-18781-P
• Notice to All PUA Applicants, PUA-18782-P

PUA Payments

• Payment Amount:

  Did You Know? All unemployment benefits are taxable. Withhold federal and state taxes from your weekly benefit NOW, so you don't have to pay them later. You can opt to have taxes withheld at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

  • Minimum weekly benefit amount: $163.
  • Maximum weekly benefit amount: $370.

• Benefit Amount:
  • 1% of 2019 net income; subject to PUA minimum and maximum.

• Duration of PUA Benefits (up to 39 weeks):
  • First Payable Week: Retroactive to week ending February 8, 2020 (or the first week an individual is out of work due to COVID-19, whichever is later).
  • Last Payable Week: Week ending December 26, 2020.

CARES Act

From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The administration soon will release more details including the list of lenders offering loans under the program. In the meantime, the U.S. Chamber has issued this guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan:

>>Visit their website at Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist. 

SBA Low Interest Loans Available Now

Small business owners in Wisconsin are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest federal loan for working capital from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These federal disaster loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments, up to a maximum of 30 years, in order to keep payments affordable, with terms determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

What forms are needed to apply?

• Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals, and affiliates.
• Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return
• Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202)
• Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413)
• Profit and Loss statements
• Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368)

Where do businesses apply?

• Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 
• Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14952 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 
• Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA'S Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955
• (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disatercustomerservice@sbg.gov.

For more information and to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan, visit https://sba.gov/coronavirus.

For more information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus

Gov. Evers Issues Emergency Order on Unemployment Benefits

Governor Evers issued Emergency Order #7, directing the Department of Workforce development to loosen some requirements for unemployment insurance benefits during the public health emergency as declared by the Governor. The order does all of the following: The order is in place as long as there remains public health emergency declared by the Governor. See the full Emergency Order here.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act-

This bill responds to the coronavirus outbreak by providing paid sick leave and free coronavirus testing, expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requiring employers to provide additional protections for health care workers. More on the bill here