The U.S. Chamber put out a summary of President Trump’sExecutive Orders that were signed over the weekend. We have no idea if any of this will go into effect. We expect it to be at least a week or two before it would be implemented.
Executive Order on Unemployment Insurance
· Sets-aside up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide supplemental unemployment benefits to the unemployed.
· The total value of the supplemental benefits is $400 per week per person through December 6, 2020 or until funds are exhausted.
· FEMA funds can only cover 75% of the cost ($300 per person per week). State’s must cover the remaining 25% ($100 per person per week).
· Governors must request assistance.
· Requeststhat states use any of their remaining funds provided under the CARES Act to fund the state portion.
Executive Order on Payroll Tax Deferral
· Directs the Treasury Secretary to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of the6.2% payroll tax imposed on individuals for individuals whose bi-weekly wages are less than $4,000 pre-tax (approximately $104,000 a year).
· Thedeferral is for taxes due September 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020.
· Amounts deferred are deferred without penalty or interest.
· Directs the Treasury to “explore avenues,” including legislation, to have the deferred payments forgiven.
· Directsthat the HHS Secretary and the Director of CDC “shall consider whether any measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19from one State or possession into any other State or possession.”
· Directs the Treasury Secretary and HUD Secretary to identify available Federal funds to provide temporary financial assistance to renters and homeowners.
· Directs the HUD Secretary to “take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to promote the ability of renters and homeowners to avoid eviction or foreclosure…”
· Directsthat the Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency “shall review all existing authorities and resources that may be used to prevent evictions and foreclosures for renters and homeowners resulting from hardships caused byCOVID-19.”
Executive Order on Student Loans
· Directs the Secretary of Education to take action to modify existing hardship deferment requirements and “provide such deferments to borrowers as necessary to continue the temporary cessation of payments and the waiver of all interest on student loans held by the Department of Education until December 31, 2020.”
Chamber Response
Based upon the recommendations from the CDC and the Arkansas Department of Health, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce building is closed to the public until further notice. Our team is working remotely and still available to you. You can reach us by phone at 870-793-2378, email, or on Facebook.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce continues to monitor the situation and is responding accordingly. As of now all events, meetings, and Leadership Batesville sessions have been postponed.
Click HERE to print Safety Guidelines
Health and Testing Resources
Local Access
If you have concerns that you might have COVID-19 or been exposed to it, White River Health System, ARCare, Sherwood Urgent Care, and UAMS have free online screenings.
State and Federal Access
Arkansas Department of Health
Website Information: https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Covid-19-ADH-Website-Info.pdf
Call the Arkansas coronavirus hotlines:
For children (staffed by Arkansas Children’s Hospital): 1-800-743-3616
For adults (staffed by UAMS): 1-800-632-4502
Contact the Arkansas Department of Health at 1-800-803-7847
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC offers information on how Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, what to do if you are sick, and frequently asked questions, including printable fliers. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Details on CDC recommendations of face coverings and masks. The CDC has issued new recommendations to the public and encouraged the wearing of cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. This recommendation is considered a voluntary public health measure, and the CDC offers a primer on simple face cloths here.
State and Federal Resources
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce has a daily update on information summarized from the Federal and State Government announcements.
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a great resource for small businesses. They do weekly online seminars to help better understand loans processes from the federal and state government.
The SBA ArkansasDistrict Office offers various resources for small businesses and non-profits here.
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services launches new website designed to provide updated information regarding COVID-19 related unemployment benefits here.
Are you self employed (electrician, beautician, plumber, construction, freelance/gig worker, etc?) Sign up for email news alerts here.
COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
Here is a link to the COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide, which provides a great overview of what COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related assistance programs are available to different entities in rural communities.
Federal CARES Act
This program is intended to assist business owners with relief. The small business owner’s guide to the CARES Act is a great tool. Information about the program can be found on the U.S. Senate website, along with other SBA program information. https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act,
Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) ; New Application
Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Consolidated information regarding SBA, Federal and State programs can be found on the Arkansas Economic Development website: https://www.arkansasedc.com/covid19
The World Trade Center of Arkansas has compiled a COVID-19 page that includes a list of state and federal resources for state small businesses and farmers here.
Community Resources
Independence County Police Department
