GNO, INC Update – 4/11/2020

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.

April 11, 2020 Update

A special note:  Condolences go out from the GNO, Inc. family to the Bagala family, following the loss of Rep. Reggie Bagala. The newly elected legislator passed away this week after battling the coronavirus. While he was new to the role, Rep. Bagala went out of his way to meet and get to know many of our GNO, Inc. partners and we are saddened by his loss. You can read more here.

News

• Unemployment FAQs – The federal $600 supplement to unemployment benefits is scheduled to start this Monday.  GNO, Inc. compiled answers to some of the most  frequently asked questions about unemployment we have received from individuals and employers. For more information, you can always visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission website.
• GiveNOLA Day  – The Greater New Orleans foundation has announced that  its annual nonprofit fundraising event GiveNOLA Day has been moved to June 2^nd. Last year’s event raised nearly $5.9 million from over 50,000. You can learn more about GiveNOLA Day here.
• INNO – Local tech firm Revelry Labs has transitioned their upcoming innovation conference INNO to a free online conference. The virtual INNO is April 28-29, and full details are available at innoconf.com. INNO has partnered with GNOpivot, GNO, Inc.’s initiative to help regional companies make products and provide services in demand for the fight against COVID-19. If you already purchased a ticket to INNO, or if you register now, you will have the option to donate a portion of your refund to GNOpivot to help flatten the curve and keep businesses in-operation.

Information

• Paycheck Protection Program – The forgivable loan program is in its first full week of applications.
  • GNO, Inc.’s overview of the program is here.
  • You can find the latest guidance on the U.S. Department of Treasury website here.
  • Finally, there is a GNO, Inc. webinar, with questions and answers, here.

The SBA has also released a tool to help find a nearby lender eligible to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.

Resources

Are you looking for:

• Online Training? – A catalogue of opportunities for online training from the region’s higher education partners and private training providers can be found here.
• 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.
• COVID-19 Customers/Purchasers? – If you have pivoted your business to make a new, coronavirus-related product, register onGNOpivot.
• 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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