As businesses reopen, some are restricted to certain limitations based on a percentage of total occupancy. Below is information from experts at the City of Mankato to help you determine the occupancy capacity for your business. Once the occupant load is known, divide the occupant load by the reduction per Executive Order(s). Read More
Governor Tim Walz today announced a new executive order that would allow for additional businesses to reopen and further loosening of restrictions for others effective June 10 (Phase III).
The new order allows: Read More
The US House and Senate have passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. This bill grants more time for PPP loan recipients to spend the funds and reduces the amount of funds that must be spent on payroll and still qualify for forgiveness of the loans. President Trump is expected to sign the bill. Read More
Due to this pandemic, N95 masks have become a piece of required PPE in industries where they have not been needed before. We wanted to remind companies that N95 masks are considered respirators and as a result, fall within OSHA’s respirator guidelines. It is important that companies train their employees on how to properly use N95 masks, ensure that the employees are medically able to wear a respirator, and perform a fit test. While OSHA has temporarily issued guidance lifting annual fit test requirements, initial fit tests are still required. We asked Brad Kramer of Provenio Consulting to provide some additional information about what those fit tests entail as well as additional details about respirator policy requirements. Brad shared the following regarding respirators:
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Today Greater Mankato Growth sent a letter to Governor Walz respectfully requesting that he allow all businesses the opportunity to reopen in a way that is safe, sustainable, and equitable with their peers. You can read the letter here.
Greater Mankato Growth is also looking for members to film a video testimonial to the Governor explaining how your business can open safely. Please contact Patrick Baker (pbaker@greatermankato.com) for more details.
The City of Mankato has created a recovery loan program to assist small businesses in Mankato. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees may apply for a deferred loan of up to $25,000 through this program for property and business improvements to help reopen and operate safely following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.
Recovery loans are repaid over five years and have: Read More
This is a guest blog post by Greater Mankato Growth member, Mankato Clinic.
Our economy has been turned upside down and sideways. Even as businesses reopen, worry about surviving the economic impact is reasonable and common. Amid this uncertainty, here are some ways to manage anxiety.
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Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.
The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration recently released the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. The forgiveness forms, instructions, and worksheets can be downloaded here.
PPP borrowers must apply for loan forgiveness with the lender that processed the loan.
The US Chamber of Commerce has produced a step by step guide to help borrowers understand the process by which their loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process.
As businesses reopen, some are restricted to certain limitations based on a percentage of total occupancy. Below is information to help you determine the occupancy capacity for your business. Read More
If your company is looking for PPE or other COVID-19 related resources as you reopen, it may be worthwhile to check out the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s MN Supplier Match to help you find the PPE you need. The Supplier Match database has over 1000 companies and can be sorted by keyword. It also currently has a list dedicated to COVID-19 related supplies as well as options to filter by minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned suppliers. If would like access, simply email suppliermatch@mnchamber.com with the subject line “MN Supplier Match Credential Request” to request login credentials. The supplier match can be found on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Website at https://www.mnchamber.com/your-opportunity/mn-supplier-match.
While all Minnesota Chamber of Commerce members can be listed as a supplier, they have also opened the supplier listings to any business that is currently producing PPE, cleaning services, and other COVID-19 related products and services. If you’d like to be included, please fill out the form found here.
Governor Tim Walz today announced a new executive order that would allow for additional businesses to reopen effective June 1 (Phase II). The governor additionally outlined additional phases (Phases III & IV) that will be coming in the future as the state continues to reopen businesses and other activities, however the timeline for when those phases will go into effect is not yet known.
Clarification was also provided that effective immediately, youth sports can conduct practices of up to 10 people, but that games would not be allowed until the next phase of openings. Read More
This is a guest blog post from Greater Mankato Growth member, Mayo Clinic Health System.
As the impact of COVID-19 increased in the United States, and Minnesota and Mankato began to brace for the impact in our area, a number of changes began in the lives of members of our community – at a relatively quick pace. Many people are working from home. However, many are working to juggle the demands of work productivity while also trying to help children complete virtual schoolwork and find meaningful activities during a time of social distancing. This can be a stressful juggling act. Here are some thoughts and suggestions about strategies for managing work from home, while also trying to provide support for children and schoolwork, deal with a lack of personal space, or support of other family members as we all navigate these difficult times.
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