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. Continue reading “Congress Passes Bill Providing Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility”
Tag: Congress
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Providing Additional Funds for Small Business

- $60 billion for smaller lending facilities, including minority depository institutions, certified development companies and credit unions;
- $10 billion for grants under the SBA’s Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan program;
- $50 billion for SBA disaster recovery loans;
- $2.1 billion for additional salaries and expenses for the Small Business Administration;
- $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers to support for Covid-19 expenses and lost revenue from canceled elective surgeries and other procedures;
- $25 billion for research to develop, validate, manufacture, purchase and administer Covid-19 tests, including $11 billion for states to expand lab capacity.
UPDATED: Paycheck Protection Program
On March 27, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This bill will provides significant support to businesses. The signature piece of the new law is the “Paycheck Protection Program” which will provide $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid COVID-19 and economic downturn. This new program provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.
UPDATED: Businesses will be able to apply for these forgivable loans starting April 3rd through most all local banks. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued preliminary guidance that you can view HERE. You can view the fully Treasury website on the program here.
In addition, our friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have prepared an easy-to-understand checklist to guide businesses and self-employed individuals through this new program as they prepare to file for a loan.
UPDATED: Stimulus 3.0 – Federal CARES Act: Key Provisions Impacting Employers
On March 27, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This is the third bill passed by Congress in response to COVID-19. This bill provides significant resources to businesses and individuals alike to weather this crisis. Greater Mankato Growth has compiled a summary of the key provisions in the bill impacting businesses – of which there are many. This may be overwhelming, but know that more resources will be coming soon to assist you as the law is implemented and Greater Mankato Growth will be there every step of the way to ensure you are kept informed with timely and accurate information.
You can also view excellent summaries done by the US Chamber of Commerce and US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Continue reading “UPDATED: Stimulus 3.0 – Federal CARES Act: Key Provisions Impacting Employers”
UPDATED: Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Key Provisions Impacting Employers

The legislation guarantees free coronavirus testing, enhances Unemployment Insurance, strengthens food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding to states. In addition, the legislation creates two new paid leave programs that every business under 500 employees and all government employers must implement for their employees 15 days after enactment. Below is a HR 6201 Summary of those new programs. Please don’t hesitate to contact Patrick Baker (pbaker@greatermankato.com) with any questions.
Our friends at Blethen | Berens have also created a summary of the new law you can access here.
Breakfast With Congressman Tim Walz
Join Greater Mankato Growth and your fellow colleagues for the August Public Affairs Forum Breakfast with Representative Tim Walz.
Monday, August 21
7:30 – 9:00 am
Verizon Hall, Room 245 (new event center)
Register Here Continue reading “Breakfast With Congressman Tim Walz”
Health Care Forum
Join Greater Mankato Growth and your fellow colleagues for our July Public Affairs Forum Luncheon Health Care: What’s Going On And What It All Means.
Tuesday, July 18
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Mankato Clinic Administration Office
1400 Madison Avenue, Suite 324B
Hit ‘read more’ for additional information Continue reading “Health Care Forum”
Congress Experiences Christmas Miracle: Passes Major Legislation to End the Year
Congress is ending 2015 by passing a flurry of legislation that will have substantial impacts on businesses and individuals alike. Included is the first long-term transportation bill in a decade, a major education reform bill, a tax bill that extends numerous tax breaks, and a spending bill that will fund the government over the next year. Here are key highlights: Continue reading “Congress Experiences Christmas Miracle: Passes Major Legislation to End the Year”