Weekly Update: April 24, 2020

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

STATE:

ECONOMIC SUPPORT WORKING GROUP:
The Working Group, ECONOMIC SUPPORT, one of 4 groups under the House Select Committee on Covid-19, met again this week. One of the presenters was Lockhart Taylor from the NC Department of Employment Security. He said that the “system” should be ready to accept PUA claims on Friday. PUA is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and is explained below. Also is a link with more information.

Please note when you click on the page now, no other link is provided for you to apply. The link will be provided when the system is ready, so keep checking until you see it.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): This program provides unemployment compensation for individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance or any extensions to unemployment insurance. This will provide benefits to eligible self-employed workers and independent contractors. We anticipate the system will be ready to accept claims for this assistance around April 25, 2020.

https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information/federal-unemployment-assistance

Also, a reminder that the General Assembly is scheduled to begin the short session on Tuesday, April 28^th at noon. It’s anticipated that only issues concerning COVID-19 will be addressed in the short time they will be meeting and then will recess till a later time to be determined.

The press release states that access to the legislative building and the legislative office buildings will be limited to members, staff and credentialed media beginning on April 20^th and extending through May 8^th. All entrants will have their temperatures taken before entering.

The ECONOMIC SUPPORT is not scheduled to meet again until after the session begins.

God bless,

Jerry

NOTE: **IF YOU ARE RECEIVING ANY COMPENSATION FOR WORK, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.**

Industry Funded Economic Survey:

It is very important that all fishermen fill out this survey and return it. This information is so NC can get an accurate value for our fishing industry. Deadline will be extended until April 30, 2020 due to the delays from COVID-19 coronavirus.

If you have not received an economic survey, or need a replacement survey, please contact Chris Dumas 910-962-4026 or via email dumasc@uncw.edu (To be eligible for the survey, a fisherman needs to have had (1) a commercial fishing license in 2019, and (2) trip ticket sales in 2019.

Aquaculture Farm Financial Management During the Pandemic Webinar

April 3, 2020

Economic Assistance Programs

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Applications can be submitted starting today.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

For a top-line overview of the program https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20–%20Overview.pdf
If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20Lender%20Information%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Fact-Sheet.pdf
Final Borrower Application Form *NEW* https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf
Lender Electronic Data Form *NEW* https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP-Lender-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf
Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule *NEW* https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–IFRN%20FINAL.pdf
To find a qualified lender, click here.

https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find

Paycheck Protection Program Resources

SBA Paycheck Protection Program website https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp
Department of the Treasury CARES Act website https://home.treasury.gov/cares

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering all states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options for coronavirus relief loan options.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
Click here to apply. https://covid19relief.sba.gov/%23/
For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.

Apply for the Loan Advance here.

Other Coronavirus Assistance

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are currently eligible to apply for a loan advance of up to $10,000.

The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

Terms

Up to $25,000
Fast turnaround
Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan

The SBA provides a debt relief to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.

Farm and Business Financial Analysis

SRAC 4400: Introduction to Financial Management of Aquaculture Businesses click here.

SRAC 4401: Assessing the Financial Position of an Aquaculture Business: Using Balance Sheets click here. https://covid19relief.sba.gov/

SRAC 4402: Determining the Profitability of an Aquaculture Business: Using Income Statements and Enterprise Budgets click here.

SRAC 4403: Evaluating the Liquidity/Cash Position of an Aquaculture Business: Using Cash Flow Statements click here.

Please note federal websites are being updated daily to reflect loan program changes to improve access or new programs authorized by the CARES Act. If a link no longer functions on these pages, go to the agency website and look for a coronavirus economic assistance program link. Here’s a link to the page providing updated information on applying for Unemployment Insurance.

COVID-19 Resources for Fisheries and Aquaculture

7 April 2020

Financial Relief Programs

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources (SBA) https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan- resources

SBA Informational PowerPoint on COVID-19 Assistance https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-iP5QJGi0Zmjn8ZncSejYhWcD9atjA5f/view

National Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Fund https://rerf.us/

USDA

https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/extension-grant-application-deadlines-fmlfpp- and-rfspp-grants

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Regional Food System Partnerships Program

Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

How to Apply

A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found here.

Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application Form

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) INFORMATION SHEET: BORROWERS

Treasure Department COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Homepage.

Q&A: https://www.businessreport.com/business/graves-and-waguespack-answer- cares-act-questions

Q: Can PPP be used to pay 1099 contractors?
Both: A company can pay their 1099 contractors with PPP funds, but that will not be considered part of the payroll costs that can be forgiven. Contractors can apply for PPP independently.

Other Notes:

Linda Shaw, NMFS in Alaska shared a provision from the CARE Act which speaks to aid to the fishing sector.

‘Specifically, tribes, fishermen, fishing communities, aquaculture businesses, and other fishery-related businesses are eligible for assistance if they have incurred as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic any economic revenue losses greater than 35 percent as compared to the prior five-year average; or any negative impacts to subsistence, cultural or ceremonial fisheries, according to the senator’s office. ‘

https://riponadvance.com/featured/members-praise-enactment-of-cares-act/

Webinar from Saving Seafood’s government relations on the federal relief package. About the 26-minute mark seems more specifically relevant.

https://www.savingseafood.org/news/washington/the-federal-relief-package-is- your-business-small-medium-large-essential-and-or-critical-and-what-do-those-terms- mean-for-you-and-your-employees/

Also, in addition to the Paycheck Protection Program, there is an Employee Retention Credit Program. Applicants might want to consider both options as benefits seem to vary based on qualifying information and one might prove more beneficial than the other depending on the situation.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-employee-retention-credit-available-for-many- businesses-financially-impacted-by-covid-19