Regional Stakeholders,
During a crisis, timely, accurate, and actionable information is important. In order to help you get this information, GNO, Inc. is sending out regular updates. Please see below, and feel free to forward.
May 16-17, 2020 Update
News
- Governor Budget Proposal – Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposal to close a $1 billion budget gap caused by the coronavirus pandemic would avoid deep cuts to health care and education programs by relying on hundreds of millions in federal relief aid and a portion of the state’s “rainy day” fund. You can read more here.
- WSJ: Changes Expected to PPP – Per the Wall Street Journal, and other sources, “Lawmakers and government officials are preparing to make significant changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, amid cooling demand for government-backed loans and criticism from business owners who say they can’t tap the funds.” Likely changes will include:
- Relaxing the 75% payroll spend rule for forgiveness
- Extending the time to spend the loan money for forgiveness beyond two months
Changes are expected to come in two waves. Technical fixes in a new guideline on loan forgiveness from the Treasury Department and the SBA may be unveiled in the coming days, and could address the 75% issue. Broader changes, including extension beyond two months, require congressional action.
Information
- Louisiana Reopening – Friday, Louisiana formally began Phase 1 of reopening. Phase 1 is expected to last a minimum of 21 days before moving into Phase 2. Under Phase 1, the following types of businesses may now be open, with limitations (25% occupancy, sanitation, spacing for physical distancing):
– Churches
– Solo and non-contact sports
– Barbers and salons
– Museums, zoos, aquariums (no tactile exhibits)
– Gyms and fitness centers
– Malls
– Restaurants, coffee shops and cafes
– Bars and breweries with LDH food permit – takeout, delivery and dine-in seating only
– Theaters
– Casinos and Video Poker
– Racetracks (not open to spectators)
– Offices
– (Massage establishments, spas, tattoo parlors, and all other places of public amusement remain closed)
You can register to receive updates on state guidance from opensafely.la.gov. The website is being updated to provide the option to download information specific to your business type without registering on the site. Registration is not used for tracking purposes – it only provides a business with automated notifications as guidance is updated
- Parish Reopening Plans – In response to Governor Edward’s announcement Monday to reopen Louisiana (Phase 1), parishes in Greater New Orleans have begun to announce parish-specific guidelines. Parishes have largely followed the guidance outlined by the Governor (see below), but do have the discretion to enact stricter guidelines. Below are the available announcements made by each parish in Greater New Orleans:
Resources
Are you looking for:
- Work? – If you want a job in a sector that is surging right now, new openings are on WorkNOLA.com.
- Employees?
- A database of local talent looking for new job opportunities, including quick employment history and skills summary, is on the WorkNOLA Workforce Directory.
- GNOmatch provides custom connections between companies with lay-offs, and those hiring for transferable skills.
- Online Training? – A catalogue of opportunities for online training from the region’s higher education partners and private training providers can be found here.
- COVID-19 Customers/Purchasers? – If you have pivoted your business to make a new, coronavirus-related product, register on GNOpivot.
- COVID-19 Supplies/Services? – If you are looking for PPE, sanitizer, food providers, and other related products and services, search the GNOpivot Resource Tool.
As always, general information is on the GNO, Inc. Coronavirus Business Resource Page.
Please feel free to contact me [email protected] or VP Policy Ileana Ledet at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
Take care,
Michael
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