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| Nov 18, 2020 Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will be issuing a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. statewide curfew beginning on Thursday, November 19. The curfew will be in effect for 21 days. The curfew will not apply to those going to or from work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries or going to a pharmacy. Picking up carry-out or a drive-thru meal and ordering for delivery will be permitted, but serving food and drink in person must cease at 10 p.m. Governor DeWine today provided details on Ohio’s vaccine prepositioning plan. ODH has identified 10 sites across the state that will receive the pre-positioned vaccine after a COVID-19 vaccine is given emergency-use authorization. Once the CDC and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues its recommendation on how to use the vaccine, these sites will begin administering the vaccine immediately. The ten pre-positioned sites were selected based on geography, population, and access to ultra-cold storage capacity. Other sites will begin receiving shipments of vaccine following final approval, potentially just days after the pre-positioned sites begin administering the vaccine. Ohio will first vaccinate those who are most at risk, including those who work in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other congregate-care facilities, high-risk health care workers, and first responders. As students at Ohio’s colleges and universities are preparing to head home for the holidays, the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Ohio Hospital Association are launching a new campaign to encourage students to keep themselves and family members safe while they’re at home. The “Home and Healthy for the Holidays” campaign will provide tips for students to follow before, during, and after holiday travel. College students are encouraged to share how they plan to be safe during the holidays by posting to social media using the hashtags #HomeandHealthyfortheHolidays and #BackOnCampus21. Governor DeWine announced the release of a new holiday celebration guide from the Ohio Department of Health to help families celebrate safely during the 2020-2021 holiday season. The guide provides alternatives to large in-person celebrations for a variety of holidays, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Orthodox New Year, and others. Please share with your networks as you deem appropriate. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov. Nov 2, 2020 Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted recently announced a package of more than $419.5 million in CARES Act funding to help Ohioans and up to $5 billion in dividends for Ohio employers to ease the continued financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. These opportunities and other resources available through the Office of Small Business Relief and Development can be found at businesshelp.ohio.gov. CARES Funding: Applications Now Open Small Business Relief Program: The package includes $125 million in CARES Act funding to provide grants to small businesses with no more than 25 employees. The grant funding will help businesses pay for a variety of expenses, including mortgage or rent payments; utility payments; salaries, wages, or compensation for employees and contractors; business supplies or equipment; and other costs. The application for the Small Business Relief Program is now available at businesshelp.ohio.gov. Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund: The administration will also designate $37.5 million of CARES Act funding for the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund. This fund will be available for Ohio restaurants and bars struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and limited in the full use of their liquor permit. Businesses with an on-premise consumption permit will be eligible to receive $2,500 per unique business location. Businesses need to have an active on-premise permit as of close of business October 23, 2020. Starting today, permit holders can apply for assistance at businesshelp.ohio.gov. Home Relief Grant: The administration is allocating $50 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to 47 Community Action Agencies to provide rent, mortgage, and water and/or sewer assistance to Ohioans in need. This assistance will help Ohioans pay outstanding balances back to April 1, 2020. Ohio households behind on their bills with an annual income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for assistance. For a family of four, that is an annual income up to $52,400. Starting today, Ohioans can apply for assistance through their local Community Action Agency. A list of agencies can be found at businesshelp.ohio.gov. BWC Dividends Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted requested that the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) send up to $5 billion in dividends to Ohio employers to ease the continued financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. BWC’s Board of Directors will meet today, Monday, November 2, 2020 to vote on this special request. If approved by BWC’s Board of Directors, it would bring the total dividend dollars for employers this year to nearly $8 billion. The $5 billion dividend would be BWC’s third dividend of more than $1 billion this year, and the largest one-time dividend ever issued by the BWC. BWC distributed $1.54 billion in April and $1.34 billion in October. At $5 billion, this dividend is approximately four times the total premiums BWC collected from its employer members in policy year 2019. FOR MORE INFORMATION: ONLINE: Please visit www.Coronavirus.Ohio.gov for the most up-to-date information from the Ohio Department of Health. PHONE: For any questions you have about COVID-19, please call 1 (833) 4-ASK-ODH from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m (7 days/week). SOCIAL MEDIA: @GovMikeDeWine @LtGovHusted @OHDeptofHealth LIVE UPDATES: Governor DeWine is holding press briefings at 2:00 p.m. multiple days each week to deliver the most recent updates as well as give updated guidance for the state’s response. These press events are carried live at www.OhioChannel.org. Sept 16, 2020 How to Get Your PPP Loan Forgiven By: Sean Ludwig, Contributor Paycheck Protection Program loans were a popular option for businesses hoping to survive COVID-19-related shutdowns. Here is what businesses need to do to get their PPP loans forgiven. One of the single largest ways the federal government sought to aid businesses suffering from coronavirus-related shutdowns was the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). After its creation in March 2020, the program was modified several times to ensure more businesses could participate, with the final deadline for PPP hitting on August 8, 2020. As of that deadline, the SBA approved 5.2 million loans worth more than $525 billion. What made the program so popular was the ability for businesses to have their loans forgiven, effectively making them grants. However, the loans came with specific criteria that needed to be fulfilled in order to have them forgiven. Below we will outline requirements for loan forgiveness, how to get a forgiveness application and other important details for those businesses hoping to have their PPP loan forgiven. [Go here to see the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s PPP Loan Forgiveness Guide] Background on PPP First, let’s explain briefly how the PPP program actually worked to better explain the forgiveness aspect. The PPP program was created in March 2020 as part of the federal government’s $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On top of tax breaks and changes in the CARES Act, the PPP was designed to provide a simple way for businesses to keep their employees on payroll. Generally speaking, PPP loans were issued with generous terms. PPP loans have an interest rate of 1%, with loans issued prior to June 5 maturing after two years and loans issued after June 5 maturing after five years. No collateral or personal guarantees were required for the loan and no fees were charged to small businesses by the banks or credit unions authorizing the loans. The maximum size allowed for a single loan was $10 million. While the loan terms were generous, the best aspect of them was that they could be forgiven. The Treasury Department has indicated that it plans to automatically audit all PPP loans larger than $2 million. Smaller loans most likely won’t be targeted for audit but some “spot checks” will occur. Additionally, banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co (the single largest lender of PPP loans) said they will investigate instances of borrowers misusing PPP funds. Requirements for loan forgiveness To qualify for PPP loan forgiveness, the SBA set up various requirements that must be fulfilled. Effectively, forgiveness is granted to employers that kept or rehired employees while also maintaining general salary levels from before the pandemic. Employers can still be eligible for partial forgiveness if they don’t meet all of these criteria, such as if full-time headcount declined or salaries decreased somewhat. Requirements include: Funds are allowed to be used for payroll costs, rent, utilities and interest on mortgages. At least 60% of loan must be used for payroll costs. While the loan is being used, employers must attempt in good faith to maintain similar levels of employment and pay that they had prior to the pandemic. READ ON… July 30, 2020 ALCOHOL SALE AND ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION LIMITS Governor DeWine announced today that he has asked the Ohio Liquor Control Commission to call an emergency meeting to consider enacting a statewide emergency rule to limit liquor sales at establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption. The rule would prevent the sale of alcohol at these liquor-permitted establishments beginning at 10:00 p.m. each night. On-premises consumption must end by 11:00 p.m. Businesses may stay open, and establishments that sell food can continue serving meals until closing. Governor DeWine requested the new administrative rule after seeing outbreaks associated with bars across Ohio including Toledo, Cleveland, and Columbus. “The problem is, bars, by their nature, lend themselves to a revolving door of people in close contact, oftentimes indoors, with interactions between many different people,” said Governor DeWine. “While this may have been fine during normal times, these are not normal times. We must make a change to curb the social behaviors that will cause this virus to continue to spread.” Separately, Governor DeWine is also asking the commission to raise the number of liquor and mixed drinks permitted to be purchased for carryout with a meal from two drinks to three drinks. The Ohio Liquor Control Commission will hold its emergency meeting tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. If the emergency administrative rule is approved, Governor DeWine will sign an executive order making it effective tomorrow night. MASS GATHERING ORDER Governor DeWine announced that Ohio will separate its mass gathering guidance into its own order. Mass gathering guidance was most recently referenced as part of other orders, and combining this information into a stand-alone order will allow citizens to easily find guidance on holding gatherings in a safe manner. Mass gatherings in Ohio remain limited to 10 people. “We have seen cases in recent weeks where outbreaks have been connected to informal social gatherings like birthday parties, neighborhood gatherings, graduation parties, weddings, funerals, and gatherings at people’s homes,” said Governor DeWine. “The fact remains that this virus spreads when someone with the virus comes in contact with others who don’t yet have it. When we gather together with people outside our households, we increase the likelihood this virus can spread.” The order will still permit Ohioans to go to work, worship, go to school, and acquire goods and services, however, this order will offer clear recommendations on safely holding gatherings. -Gatherings at a household or family residence should be limited to close friends and family and are recommended to be 10 visitors or less. -Residents in a red or purple county, as designated by the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, should limit hosting or attending gatherings of any size. -Wear a mask at all times at gatherings and maintain physical distance. -Use take out, outdoor dining, or indoor dining only when strict social distancing can be maintained. -Take extra precautions if you go to bars or nightclubs, where use of masks typically is inconsistent and drinking alcohol can lead to less social distancing. -Protect anyone with serious medical conditions at home by social distancing at home, wearing a mask, and using high levels of personal hygiene. -High-risk individuals should take extra precautions to limit the number of people they interact with. -Make the group of people you interact with most often as small as possible and make sure that they are taking appropriate COVID-19 precautions – even if you are just gathering with family friends or neighbors at your home. July 23, 2020 Below are the updates from the July 22 press conference with Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted. Here’s the news from the press conference (as of 7/22): Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below: 74,409 confirmed cases 4,333 probable cases 78,742 total cases 9,864 hospitalizations 2,976 confirmed deaths 259 probable deaths 3,235 total deaths 2,386 ICU admissions More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE. Governor DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 PM, a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties. All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when: at an indoor location that is not a residence; outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members; waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing. The order only requires those 10 years old or older to wear a mask. Additional exclusions include: those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability; those who are actively exercising or playing sports, at religious services, involved in public safety, or actively eating or drinking. Schools should follow the guidance previously issued pertaining to masks. CALL TO ACTION: Thank you to the organizations, associations, and individuals who are being leaders in the effort to encourage the use of facial coverings in public. We appreciate those who publicly issued statements of support which you can see attached. Please also consider helping to share this important message with your networks on social media using #MasksOnOhio and #InThisTogetherOhio. Governor DeWine announced today a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher. Those traveling from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas should self quarantine for 14-days. The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. Additional information is attached and you can visit coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine. Governor DeWine today urged citizens to use extreme caution when considering attending or hosting an informal gathering. The Governor said that we are seeing serious exposures to the virus that are arising from every day events like church services, small house parties, neighborhood get-togethers, weddings, etc. Following a 19-case outbreak linked to a county fair in Ohio, Governor DeWine today spoke with fair managers from across Ohio to stress the importance of following safety guidance during county fair events. The Governor said he wants fairs to continue, but they must follow the rules. Guidance for fairs is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov. Lt. Governor Husted today announced that Governor DeWine has signed onto a letter to Congressional leadership with 20 other fellow Governors from across the nation, calling for reasonable limited liability protections for businesses, schools, healthcare workers, and governments as they are reopened during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The letter calls for predictable, timely, targeted liability protections to shield employers from legal risks associated with the spread of the novel coronavirus, so long as they are following the appropriate standards of care to protect their employees, customers, and students. The letter specifically requests that the protections be drawn in a narrow fashion as to not give license for gross negligence, misconduct, or recklessness. Lt. Governor Husted also highlighted Ohio’s strengthening economy as the state responsibly restarts in the midst of the pandemic. Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped three percentage points in the last month to 10.9%. The Lt. Governor also highlighted how Ohio companies continue to go to great lengths to support their employees and customers. Beginning with tomorrow’s updated Ohio Public Health Advisory System map, Governor DeWine announced that the ICU indicator will be enhanced to address concerns in the event ICU levels increase due to reasons other than COVID-19. The indicator will trigger if ICU capacity for a county’s hospital region exceeds 80 percent of normal capacity and if 20 percent of the normal ICU capacity is being used for COVID-19 positive patients. The Ohio Public Health Advisory System will also be updated in the coming weeks to include more localized testing data and an indicator related to known contacts spreading the virus when such local data is widely available. The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation will sponsor two new public service announcements created in partnership with the Ohio Restaurant Association, OhioHealth, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Business Roundtable. The first PSA features real Ohioans explaining why all Ohioans should all wear a mask. The second PSA features Dr. Steve Markovich, a former Air National Guardsman and fighter pilot, who is CEO of OhioHealth. He encourages younger adults to wear masks to protect family, friends, and coworkers. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov. July 16, 2020 In a statewide address from his office in the Statehouse on July 15, Governor DeWine said that the state is at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic and implored Ohioans to take appropriate action to reverse the rapidly increasing spread of the virus. “Today, more Ohioans are getting sick than at any previous point in this pandemic. We are sliding down a very dangerous path, with our once flattened-curve starting to sharpen and spike,” said Governor DeWine. “This is a worrisome, disturbing reversal of our progress — a jarring reminder of just how quickly our fate can change.” Governor DeWine commended Ohioans for doing their part at the beginning of the pandemic. However, with positive cases increasing, he reminded Ohioans that the choices they make today will impact the spread of the virus in the coming weeks. During the speech, grounded in scientific evidence and data, Governor DeWine reminded Ohioans about the efficacy of facial coverings to protect themselves, loved ones, friends, neighbors and other citizens. He also renewed the call to socially distance and limit public gatherings. “I am calling on all Ohioans to once again unite. We must work together, support each other, and help each other through this challenging time. I’ve seen you do this. I know you can do this. Ohioans can continue to help our most vulnerable, while also protecting ourselves and our families. Together, we can be the Ohio where our hospitals are not overwhelmed, where our schools can open, where sports can start, and where our economy can continue to grow, Governor DeWine added. A video of the address is available on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page. For more information about Covid-19, including testing locations, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov. June 17, 2020 Here the updated U.S. Chamber four-page Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness. This guide reflects recent substantive changes made by Congress and the administration to the PPP program to provide borrowers with more flexibility. These changes include: -Extending the time to spend PPP funds from 8 weeks to 24 weeks; -Lowering the amount that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60%; -Extending the deadline to restore FTEs and payroll from June 30, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020; and -Setting the repayment term for loans made after June 4, 2020 at five years. The U.S. Chamber’s updated Guide to PPP Forgiveness reflects all of these changes, as well as others made in recent guidance issued by the Department of the Treasury. It is designed to help your members more easily understand the forgiveness application process. However, note that while this guide reflects all of the most recent changes, it is possible that further changes could be made. Therefore, we will continue to update this guide as needed. June 16, 2020 Below are the updates from today’s press conference with Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted. Governor DeWine will hold a press conference tomorrow (6/17) at 2:00 PM on law enforcement reforms, and the next COVID-related press conference will be on Thursday (6/18). Here’s the news from today: Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below: 38,911 confirmed cases 3,099 probable cases 42,010 total cases 7,007 hospitalizations 2,362 confirmed deaths 235 probable deaths 2,597 total deaths 1,784 ICU admissions More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE. More than 65,000 children a day are expected to take part in Ohio’s Summer Food Service Program. With more than 1,500 sites across the state, many of the programs have set up new guidelines for distributing food to kids. Additional information can be found at education.ohio.gov/kidseat or by calling 866-3-HUNGRY. Governor DeWine released the latest basic reproduction number or R0 (pronounced “R naught”) for eight regions of Ohio. The R0 represents the number of people, on average, that a person will spread a disease to. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that COVID-19’s R0, without interventions, to be 2.5. With Ohio’s interventions, the R0 for the state measured at 0.87 on June 7. Ohio is beginning to see the R0 plateau in Region 7 and 8. Governor DeWine announced additional pop-up testing sites will be available throughout the state this week. Testing began this morning at CityLink Center in Cincinnati and will also be available on Thursday and Friday from 10:00am until 3:00pm. Testing will resume at the CityLink Center next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tomorrow testing will be available at the Centerpoint Health Community Building Institute in Middletown, Ohio, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Additional temporary pop-up testing locations will be in Elyria, Portsmouth, Xenia, and other locations. Governor DeWine announced that Ohio will borrow money to meet its unemployment obligation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state requested $3.1 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Department of Labor. This is not an unprecedented situation, Ohio borrowed more than $3.3 billion during the last recession and joins states such as California and Texas in borrowing money during this crisis. Governor DeWine announced $1 million in grant funding to Ohio’s local Family and Children First Councils (FCFC). Local FCFC’s serve some for Ohio’s must vulnerable children and often need services from many different agencies. These grant dollars will help local FCFC’s ensure that children can continue to connect with their loved ones and access essential medical services. Governor DeWine reminded houses of worship to continue utilizing the best practices when resuming in-person services. While these are not requirements, they are best practices that include having families sit socially-distant from other families; encouraging members to wear face coverings; and eliminating the touching of common surfaces, such as the collection basket and hymnals, as much as possible. Lt. Governor Husted announced that the Office of Budget and Management (OBM) and InnovateOhio have identified $950,027 in savings to state taxpayers through data analytics applied to state agency spending ledgers. These are actual taxpayer dollars recovered, not just potential savings identified. The total dollar amount of duplicate payments identified totals $1,008,876, leaving $58,849 still in the process of being recovered.The duplicate payments tool was initially announced in November 2019. Lt. Governor Husted also reminded Ohioans to be on alert for individuals that may want to take advantage of them with potential fraudulent cures, work-from-home offers, and messages asking for personal information. He also warned Ohioans of fraudulent unemployment claims. For resources on how to protect your personal information and protect yourself from fraud, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or the Ohio Department of Commerce, or the Ohio Department of Insurance websites. If you think you have been a victim of fraud contact the Ohio Attorney General office. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov. May 29, 2020 Governor DeWine announced that the following orders have been signed by Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton: Director’s Updated and Revised Order for Business Guidance and Social Distancing (PDF>) Director’s Order that Rescinds the Director’s Order that the Sale of Spirituous Liquor be Restricted in Certain Instances in Certain Counties (PDF)> May 28, 2020 Help support local Loveland businesses by purchasing a t-shirt from Cincy Shirts! Order here > May 21, 2020 Below please find the signed Director’s Order that Rescinds and Modifies Portions of the Stay Safe Ohio Order, and the Urgent Health Advisory. Stay Safe Ohio (PDF) Urgent Health Advisory (PDF) These printable resources can be used by anyone in Ohio to display common symptoms, protocols, or guidelines during the reopening of business and services throughout Ohio during the COVID-19 pandemic. May 18, 2020 COVID-19 has impacted every business differently. Every business will face tremendous challenges as our nation begins to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. In this guide provided by the U.S. Chamber, you’ll walk through the steps your business will need to take to reopen as restrictions are lifted across the country and your business prepares for the “new normal.” Download Now (PDF) > May 8, 2020 Below are the updates from yesterday’s (May 7) press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Dr. Acton. There are no press conferences currently scheduled for today (May 8), Saturday, or Sunday. The normal press conference schedule will resume Monday. Here’s the news from the May 7 press conference: Governor DeWine announced when restaurants and bars in Ohio will be permitted to reopen. Outdoor dining may resume May 15th and dine-in services may resume May 21st. Here are detailed lists of guidelines and best practices as well as statements of support from the Ohio Restaurant Association and the National Federation of Independent Business- Ohio Chapter. (DOWNLOAD PDF HERE>) Governor DeWine also announced that personal services such as hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons, and tanning facilities may reopen on May 15th. Here is a list of mandatory and recommended best practices for personal services. (DOWNLOAD PDF HERE >) For the week ending May 2, 2020, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported 61,083 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last seven weeks (1,118,569) is 1,112 more than the combined total of 1,117,457 for the last three years. Over these last seven weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $1.9 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 536,000 Ohioans. Pursuant to an order from the U.S. Department of Labor order, Ohio will release unemployment numbers on a weekly basis as soon as the national report is released on Thursday. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov. As always, Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions. May 1, 2020 Just before midnight, the Ohio Department of Health issued a new stay-at-home order that extends until 11:59 p.m. on May 29. Read the official order here (PDF) April 28, 2020 Below are the updates from the April 27 press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Dr. Acton. Governor DeWine announced the Responsible RestartOhio plan which aims to protect the health of employees and customers while supporting community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19, and responsibly getting back to work. A summary of the plan and reopening schedule is listed below. May 1, 2020: Medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment may move forward. This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established. May 4, 2020: Manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. Additionally, general office environments may reopen if they can also meet mandatory safety requirements. May 12, 2020: Consumer, retail and services, may reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees. All businesses must follow general safe business practices as they reopen. Those include requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times; conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees; maintaining good hygiene and social distancing; cleaning and sanitizing workplaces; and limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines. Schools and daycares, dine-in restaurants, beauty businesses, older adult daycare and senior centers, adult day support or vocational rehabilitation services in group settings, entertainment, recreation, and gyms are all ordered to remain closed due to their increased risk of COVID-19 exposure. Because the danger of COVID-19 still exists, Ohio’s Stay at Home order will remain in effect to encourage Ohioans to continue making reasonable, rational decisions about leaving home. Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited. We would like to thank the following associations and companies for supporting Governor DeWine’s actions to begin reopening Ohio’s economy: The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Business Roundtable, National Federation of Independent Businesses-Ohio Chapter, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Township Association, Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Mayors Alliance, County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Ohio Bankers League, Ohio Credit Union League, Ohio REALTORS, Ohio Apartment Association, The Columbus Partnership, Ohio Grocers Association, Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation. More detailed information on the Responsible RestartOhio plan can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio. Also attached are several documents that were previewed during the press conference. Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov. As always, Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions. April 27, 2020 Coronavirus Funding Options Click here to learn more about available SBA loan and debt relief options. Our nation’s small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. Additional Funding Notice: The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT. With the additional funding provided by the new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-served basis. We will provide further information on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive new applications (including those from agricultural enterprises) as soon as possible. To learn more about the relief options available for your business, click here. April 24, 2020 A supplemental $484 billion Coronavirus aid bill, passed in the Senate on Tuesday, passed in the House of Representatives yesterday. This bill’s key features include: An additional $310 billion for the depleted Paycheck Protection Program, of which $60 billion is set aside for underbanked businesses. That includes community-based lenders, smaller banks and credit unions to assist smaller businesses that don’t have established relationships with big banks and had a harder time accessing the funds in the first round of loans. About $10 billion of that would also be allocated for administration fees. $60 billion in additional funds for the SBA’s disaster loans and grants programs (EIDLs); $50 billion in the form of loans and $10 billion in grants. $75 billion for hospitals $25 billion for coronavirus testing. Of that testing money, $11 billion will go to states and some will also go to the federal government. With the new appropriations approved to PPP and EIDLs. For those companies who are pursuing disaster loans, please read this Article that identifies potential stumbling blocks when applying for these funds. April 17, 2020 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Releases Guide to Help Tens of Millions of Independent Contractors Secure CARES Act Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today (April 16) released a new guide to help independent contractors and self-employed individuals secure funding under the CARES Act. The guide, which was prepared after the Small Business Administration provided new guidance on Tuesday, is intended to assist millions of independent contractors including accountants, construction workers, musicians, real-estate agents, freelance writers, and gig workers. The guide provides step-by-step assistance to help individuals understand eligibility requirements, borrowing limits, and appropriate use of funds under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. It also outlines the steps required to apply for Unemployment Compensation under a special program created by the CARES Act. The guide for independent contractors and self-employed individuals is available at uschamber.com/ICguide. The Spanish version of the guide can be found at uschamber.com/ICGuideESP “No self-employed individual, independent contractor or their families should go bankrupt because of the economic fallout from the coronavirus,” said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This guide will help our nation’s independent contractors across a wide spectrum of industries secure the funding they need to support themselves and their families during this difficult time.” 23 Million Independent Contractors According to IRS data from 2016, nearly 23 million Americans earn wages as independent contractors working either part or full-time. Of those 23 million independent contractors, less than 2 million (8.6%) earn wages as part of the on-demand economy. To help illustrate the depth and breadth of the nation’s independent workforce, the Chamber has posted data visualizations on a state-by-state and industry basis. The interactive map shows both the number of independent contractors in each state and the number of independent contractors in each state that work through online or app-enabled platforms in addition to the top 20 industries for independent contractors. Not surprisingly, the most populous states of California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois topped the list in terms of the most independent contractors per state, but it also showed that 13 states have more than 500,000 people working as independent contractors and 38 states have at least 100,000 independent workers. Further, the dataset shows the top five independent contractor industries: Professional, scientific, and technical services Other services Real estate, rental, and leasing Health care and social assistance Construction “Twenty-three million American support themselves and their families through work as an independent contractor. Whether it is in construction or real-estate, delivery services or entertainment, or the hundreds of other independent contractor occupations, these individuals are a critical element of our economy. We are pleased that Congress included support for them in the CARES Act,” Bradley said. Paycheck Protection Act Funding Beginning on April 7, independent contractors receiving 1099-MISC forms and self-employed individuals were eligible to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program loan as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act. While these loans are potentially 100% forgivable, loan commitments have reportedly reached the maximum total of $349 billion available in the Paycheck Protection Program. Earlier today, the Chamber urged congressional leaders to restore this needed CARES Act funding. “Today’s tragic and staggering unemployment figures underscore the dire need for bridge funding to keep more Americans on the job and more businesses afloat during the coronavirus economic crisis,” Bradley said. “There is absolutely no excuse for failing to get these funds approved immediately. American small businesses, self-employed workers, and independent contractors need and expect the type of bipartisan cooperation that led to the CARES Act to solve this immediate crisis.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping American businesses respond to the coronavirus so they can support their employees, customers, and communities. Our members and the state and local chambers, who are on the front lines of this pandemic, need us now more than ever to help them through this significant disruption. We will continue working every day to help our country’s people, businesses, and economy weather this storm and emerge stronger—just as we have at other challenging times in our nation’s history. Visit uschamber.com/Coronavirus for more information. —————- COVID-19 Update: On April 16, Governor DeWine Discussed State’s Plan for Reopening Businesses, Regional Coalition Formed (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH, provided an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio and discussed how the state will develop its plan to reopen the economy. “Ohioans have done a great job, a phenomenal job, fighting back, staying home, ensuring physical distancing. We’ve been doing all the things that needed to be done. I’ve never been prouder to be an Ohioan and I’m very grateful for what you have done. You have flattened the curve,” said Governor Mike DeWine. Beginning May 1st, the state will begin a phased-in reopening of the state economy. The plan will be fact-driven over a long period of time to minimize the health risk to business owners, employees, and their customers. In consultation with Dr. Acton, Lt. Governor Jon Husted will lead the governor’s board of economic advisors to identify best practices, similar to the current requirements on essential business operations to ensure Ohioans health and safety as businesses begin the process of reopening. REGIONAL COALITION Governor DeWine also announced he will work closely with the Governors of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and Kentucky to reopen the region’s economy in a coordinated way. The states will review four factors as they reopen their economies: the number of cases in the state and the number of hospital admissions, the amount of hospital capacity, the ability to test and trace cases of COVID-19, and best practices for social distancing in businesses. CURRENT OHIO DATA: There are 8,414 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 389 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 2,331 people have been hospitalized, including 707 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov. Video of today’s full update, including versions with foreign language closed captioning, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page. For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH. April 9, 2020 Here is an updated FAQ (PDF) on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), released today by the Dept. of the Treasury, which addresses many of the questions that have been raised. Here is updated information on the CARES Act for Non-profits. The CARES act is a $2.2 trillion bill that provides economic relief for individuals, small businesses, corporations, hospitals, state and local governments, and nonprofits. April 3, 2020 The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available retroactive from February 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees, through June 30, 2020. Small businesses and sole proprietors may begin applying on April 3, 2020. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning April 10, 2020. For more information, visit SBA’s online resource. April 2, 2020 Below are updated guides from the US Chamber of Commerce for employers relating to the Paycheck Protection Program, SBA Emergency Disaster Loan, and Employee Retention Tax Credit. Small Business PPP Loan Guide (PDF) Small Business EIDL Guide (PDF) Employee Retention Credit Guide (PDF) March 26, 2020 Update on SBA Loan: Please note there have been changes to the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan process. We were notified today that the prior online portal is no longer accepting e-applications. Instead, businesses are to complete PDF forms offline and upload them to the website. Additionally, businesses will no longer be able to look up application status. The updated link is here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/apply-for-disaster-loan/index.html March 25, 2020 Want to help out the populations in need? A few organizations have come together to provide resources to anyone in need, including: elderly, children on free & reduced lunch, and simply those unable to leave their homes. Those in need can call the Community Resource Line: 513-781-6345 if they have a need and they will be directed to a resource or we will create a way to assist them. This truly is community at work! Here is a link to the resources available. March 24, 2020 Here is a link to a video that outlines step by step how to apply for an SBA loan. March 23, 2020 Updated local guide to restaurants and businesses. Please use carry out as an option for food to keep these small businesses running! Download guide > Here’s our weekly email with more updates, helpful tips, and some action item ideas to help you feel productive this week. Read the Email > March 22, 2020 On Sunday, March 22, under the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH issued a director’s order to require all Ohioans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 beginning at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. This order prohibits holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Residents can return home from out of state and can leave the state. The governor’s office has sent us official documentation on this policy. Download the FAQ on the Stay At Home Order PDF > March 20, 2020 The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Ohio small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Official News Release (PDF) Loan Fact Sheet (PDF) ONLINE RETRAINING OPTIONS (info provided by Ohio Lt. Gov’s office) OHIO TECHNICAL CENTERS: https://www.ohiohighered.org/otc/locations Ohio Technical Centers provide post-secondary career and technical education (CTE) at 54 career centers across Ohio. These institutions offer programming in the skill trades (i.e., HVAC, Phlebotomy, Police Training, EMT, etc.) that prepare adult learners for certificates, industry-recognized certifications, and state licensures. Ohio Technical Centers are positioned to respond quickly to the needs of business and industry by providing customized trainings and business consultation services to companies in order to assist with meeting Ohio’s workforce goals. COMMUNITY COLLEGES: https://www.ohiohighered.org/campuses/map Ohio’s two-year college system is made up of 23 technical and community colleges. These institutions allow students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and/or pursue a technical certificate, Associate degree, or microcredential. At an affordable rate, employers can utilize two-year colleges for upskilling and retraining their employees in a variety of fields. Two-year colleges also offer certification prep and customized training in Ohio’s most in-demand industries. UNIVERSITIES: https://www.ohiohighered.org/campuses/map Ohio is a national leader in postsecondary education with 14 public universities and 51 private colleges and universities. Many universities offer certificate programs that can be completed in less than a year, giving employees the opportunity to upskill in the short-term. MICROCREDENTIALS Microcredentials indicate an understanding or mastery in a specific skill or set of skills. Most microcredentials can be earned online and in a self-paced format. Microcredentials provide an opportunity for employee development that leads to increased business productivity without the time commitment of other traditional educational programs. Through Ohio’s TechCred program employers can be reimbursed up to $2000 when employers complete these types of credentials. TECHCRED: techcred.ohio.gov TechCred reimburses Ohio employers when they invest in their employees by sponsoring them to earn tech-focused credentials. Employers can apply for the current round of TechCred, which runs through March 31st. TechCred offers employers up to $2,000 in reimbursement for every technology-focused credential earned by an employee, up to $30,000 per employer per round. Credentials can be offered by a provider of the company’s choice and many of these trainings can be completed online. OHIOMEANSJOBS CENTERS: jfs.ohio.gov/wioamap/ OhioMeansJobs centers are located within each of Ohio’s counties and assist job seekers, employers and youth with job search assistance, employee recruitment, job training, and more. Many OhioMeansJobs centers help subsidize the cost of employee training and upskilling through their Incumbent Worker Training and On-The-Job Training programs. Employers can connect with their local OhioMeansJobs center to connect with new talent or learn more about opportunities to upskill their current workforce. OHIOMEANSJOBS.COM: https://jobseeker.ohiomeansjobs.monster.com/ OhioMeansJobs.com provides all Ohioans with access to free online training and assessments. OhioMeansJobs.com has free online courses on business and computer topics, such as Microsoft and Adobe products. LINKEDIN LEARNING: linkedin.com/learning/ LinkedIn Learning is an online tool where users can take courses to earn business, creative, and tech skills. LinkedIn Learning has over 15,000 expert led courses. LinkedIn Learning is available for free to any Ohioan with a valid public library card. OTHER FREE ONLINE EDUCATION AND TRAINING In addition to the resources available through OhioMeansJobs.com and Linkedin Learning, there are a number of other online education and training providers through which part or all of their course content can be accessed for free. A few examples of the many great online resources include: Code.org, Coursera, edX, Udacity, and Khan Academy. Code.org: https://code.org/ Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/ edX: https://www.edx.org/ Udacity: https://www.udacity.com/ Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/ eBASEDACADEMY: http://www.ebasedacademy.org/learn The eBasedAcademy is an online learning platform hosted by OhioMHAS. From behavioral sciences to the science of addiction, eBasedAcademy offers classes from Ohio’s top educators, professors and professionals. Through the eBasedAcademy you can earn Continuing Education Credits in a variety of fields including psychology, nursing and social work. SHAREDWORK OHIO: SharedWork Ohio is a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, the participating employer reduces affected employees’ hours in a uniform manner. The participating employee works the reduced hours each week, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours. You can visit JFS.Ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio for more information. March 19, 2020 A statement from Loveland Mayor, Kathy Bailey regarding COVID-19. Here are some additional resource links: Small Business Administration Disaster Resources: · U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program · SBA Disaster Assistance One-Pager · SBA Coronavirus Disaster Loans U.S. Chamber Resources: · U.S. Chamber Coronavirus Resource Website · U.S. Chamber Disaster Help Desk · Resources to Help Your Small Business Survive March 17, 2020 We know you’ve been inundated with messages from literally everyone you ever gave your email to. Please know that this is new territory for all of us. We will do all we can to support you, your staff, and your business. We are all getting a lot getting thrown at all of us. We’ll do our best to keep you up to date, but not add to the chaos. Here are some helpful links and information below. (Item 1 is in reference to the low interest loans shared yesterday on social media, Shared via Ott Huber and Nick Crossley, CEM, CPM | Director Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency) 1. The Ohio Development Services Agency is preparing to submit an application in the coming week to qualify Ohio for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides low-interest loans up to $2 million in order to help businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue during the state of emergency. In order to complete the state’s application, businesses impacted by the current public health crisis should immediately send their contact information to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov. Additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at SBA.gov/Disaster. 2. Here is an excellent resource for businesses to respond to the public from the Small Business Administration. 3. Information regarding BWC program via our Representative at Corvel 4.This document (PDF) explains social distancing and setting up on line ordering if you do not currently have this capability: contact, John Webb, John.webb@usbank.com or 937-671-1606. 5. A check list from on a 12 week small business plan is here to review. From City of Loveland: Loveland City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. at the Loveland Museum Center’s JoAnn Richardson History House, located at 201 Riverside Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to consider legislation to declare a state of emergency in the City of Loveland due to the coronavirus disease outbreak. City Council will also consider any and all information or measures raised concerning the coronavirus pandemic and the delivery of municipal services, and any other business as may properly come before the municipal body at the meeting may be considered and acted on. |
Please note the following events have been postponed/cancelled:
March 18 Leadership Panel “An Appetite for Growth” (Postponed to later date TBD)
March 19 Loveland Young Professional Happy Hour (Cancelled)
March 26 and April 23 Morning Mixers (Cancelled)
March 31 Cybersecurity Lunch and Learn (Postponed to a later date TBD)
