• Coronavirus/COVID19 - Resources and Updates 

  • In an attempt to drive data-based decisions versus further actions of fear or panic, GNDC has created this info and response page. Serving as a hub to update North Dakota business, industry, and individuals of ongoing impacts at the local level and beyond to the world market.

  • On the Agenda: Press Conference/Meetings Summaries On the Agenda: Press Conference/Meetings Summaries

    ...for previous press conference summaries check out our "On the Agenda" section

  • Federal Government Response and Legislation

  • Phase I: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act Phase I: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act

    Official Law

    H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act is Phase One of the stimulus packages aid at combating the effects of Coronavirus in the United State. This law which was signed by the President on March 6th provided $8.3 billion towards treating and preventing the spread of COVID – 19. The majority of the funding went to the Department of Health and Human Services to develop vaccines and testing kits and direct aid to state health departments for staffing increases and laboratory equipment.    

    Phase II: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Phase II: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

    Official Law

    Code of Federal Regulations, which provides guidance to the FMLA portion

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supported this legislation and provided an extensive summary of the bill. They've also created a Guide to Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave

    The bill is expected to impact: Unemployment Compensation, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Provisions for Diagnostic Testing, Health Services, School Nutrition Programs as well as WIC, SNAP and Senior Food Programs, Medical Devices Liability, and Discussion of Liquidity Impact for Small Businesses

    March 17: GNDC has provided a brief snippet on Brass Tacks, GNDC's Blog.

    March 18: Trump signed H.R. 6201 into law hours after a bipartisan vote passed it in the Senate. This all followed House passage on Saturday, March 14, with some technical corrections being done on Monday, March 16.

    March 24: US Dept of Labor Wage and Hour Division published its first round of implementation guidance. Additional information including a fact sheets and FAQs are being created to be published soon.

    March 26: U.S. Dept of Labor provides additional guidance including poster for employees. 

    March 28: U.S. Dept of Labor publishes more guidance including fact sheets for employees and employers

    April 1: FFCRA takes effect

    Phase III: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act: CARES Act Phase III: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act: CARES Act

    SB 3548 | Breakdown of Appropriations
    March 27: Signed by President
    ​    The CARES Act will provide Automatic Payments to Individual Tax Payers, Expanded Unemployment Benefits, Delay payment of federal payroll taxes, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Paycheck Protection Program, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

    NEW: The Treasury Department has now released information on how small businesses can apply for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program. The Loan Forgiveness Application explains how to calculate forgiveness amounts, determines eligible payroll and nonpayroll costs, document eligibility for loan forgiveness and apply the CARES Act’s safe harbor for remedying payroll or headcount reductions.
    Access the application form and instructions

    US Chamber Resources

    SBA Resources

     

    The US Dept of the Treasury's page provides resources and information including state aid guidance. Included in the original CARES Act, $454 billion was given for loans, loan guarantees, and investments in support of facilities established by the Federal Reserve. The Fed announced an expansion of their Main Street Lending Program. Established under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act, with approval of the Treasury Secretary, the Treasury will provide $75 billion for the program using funds from the CARES Act.

    New CARES Act Funding New CARES Act Funding

    Signed by President: April 24

    The US Chamber has provided a summary of the final bill. 

    The $480B bill will:

    • replenish funds for emergency small business lending programs
      • $310B for PPP with $60B of this for small business without existing bank relationships
      • $60B for EIDL fund from SBA
    • shore up national virus testing and assist hospitals
      • $75B for healthcare facilities to assist with costs obtained by virus response
      • $25B for testing with $11B to state/local governments to expand testing
    • Deadline extension granted to August 8

    PPP Flexibility Act Summary PPP Flexibility Act Summary

    As an attempt to address shortfalls from the CARES Act, President Trump signed this bill into law on June 5. Here are the main points of what this new act does:

    • Businesses utilizing PPP can extend their eight-week loan forgiveness period to 24 weeks.
      • The covered period can’t extend beyond Dec. 31, 2020.
      • This flexibility should make it easier for more PPP borrowers to reach their full forgiveness.
    • The payroll expense requirement was reduced from 75% to 60%.
      • PPP borrowers must spend at least 60% on payroll, or none of the loan will be forgiven. Yet 40% can be utilized for other expenses such as rent and utilities.
      • The previous PPP would allow a sliding scale if the 75% payroll expense wasn’t met, but it seems that it was left out of this bill.
      • This means that it is all or nothing for the loan forgiveness. Reports indicate that technical tweaks can be made to have this provision reinstated. 
    • Borrowers can use the 24-week period to restore their workforce and wages to pre-pandemic levels as required for full forgiveness.
      • This must be completed by Dec. 31, 2020.
      • The previous deadline was June 30, 2020.
    • The Act will now allow borrowers to receive the full PPP loan forgiveness, even if they are unable to fully restore their workforce.
      • Previously PPP borrowers were allowed to exclude employees who turned down good-faith offers to be rehired. 
      • This bill will now allow borrowers reporting adjustments if they could not find qualified employees or were unable to restore business operations to Feb. 15, 2020, levels due to COVID-19 operational restrictions.
    • The loan repayment period was extended to five years from two for new borrowers.
      • Existing PPP loans can be extended up to five years under agreement from the lender and borrower.
    • The 1% interest rate stayed the same. 

    Defense Production Act Defense Production Act

    On March 20, 2020, President Trump made the announcement that the federal government has started utilizing the Defense Production Act. He can utilize this authority to direct US companies to produce the emergency supplies needed. Through Executive Order, President Trump issued Prioritizing and Allocating Health and Medical Resources to respond to the virus spread. This EO directs that critical medical resources needed to respond to COVID-19 are properly distributed to the US healthcare system. 

    President Trump's Executive Actions President Trump's Executive Actions

    On Aug 8, President Trump issued three memoranda and one executive order to provide temporary relief created by coronavirus pandemic. 

  • Reopening & Recovery

    White House

    ND Smart Restart

    Universal protocols exist for all business but for those impacted by closing Executive Orders (restaurants/bars, fitness centers, personal services, movie theaters) have specific guidelines to follow. 

    U.S. Chamber Path Forward

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Efforts

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the White House, US government agencies and foreign government officials to inform and equip businesses with the most important and up-to-date information to ensure we are all adequately prepared to protect Americans at home and abroad. Along with informational pages for resources, response, and impact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit and resources for businesses to utilize to help promote the message of safety:

    Save Small Business Initiative - a nationwide program to provide supplemental funding, resources and webinars, research, and advocacy for American small business. 

  • SBA Information

    SBA has approved North Dakota Disaster as a statewide Disaster Declaration for small businesses affected by Coronavirus. 

    Available resources:

    Available Brass Tacks Blog Posts to assist businesses in the application process: 

  • Economic Resiliency Grant

    The ND Dept of Commerce will make ERG grants available to businesses to apply or use toward business improvements that reduce the spread of infection and instill consumer confidence in the marketplace. Grants will be awarded at up to $50,000 per eligible business and up to $100,000 per eligible business with multiple locations.

    Resources

    Applications opening August 12. Questions can be directed to businesshelpCOVID19@nd.gov.

  • NewsLetter Sign-up NewsLetter Sign-up

  • The Greater North Dakota Chamber seeks to provide access to recommendations, regulations, services and expertise to its members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this mission remains constant. Prior to acting, members should consult their own professional advisors for information and counsel specific to the individual and unique situations faced by organizations, individuals and corporations. The opinions, interpretations and recommendations of the Greater North Dakota Chamber are informational only and should not be relied upon by the recipient as legal or professional advice. The Greater North Dakota Chamber makes no representations as to the accuracy or reliability of the content contained herein. Users of this information accept any and all risks associated with the use of such information and agree that the Greater North Dakota Chamber has no liability to user.

  • Champions for Business.