OKBFAA Update on Coronavirus
OKBFAA members provide vital services that are even more important as we all deal with the Coronavirus. Our member companies are committed to providing service 24/7 365 days a year. Members may not be able to shut down services.
OKBFAA is keeping in contact with the Governor’s office, OK Department of Labor, and the CIB to clarify rulings and directives that are happening at a rapid pace. We have compiled resources for your information.
OK Dept of Commerce - Weekly Update Call Information for Businesses
Department of Commerce needs to hear from businesses and to give updates.You are invited to participate in a call with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce! The ODOC wants to hear from small businesses. See the information below to join one of eight industry calls that start tomorrow. This is part of a larger, multi-industry initiative to help Oklahoma recover from economic damage relating to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please note that the calls are limited to 1,000 participants each, and will be first come, first served. The intent is to have the calls every Wednesday for the foreseeable future.
Non-Profit Wednesdays at 8 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 953-297-031.
Manufacturing Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 300-493-251
Retail Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 976-164-467
EDO and Chambers Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 346-250-014
Energy Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 274-396-442
Ag/Food Processing Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 912-825-759
Aerospace and Defense Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 431 290 552
Services Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting at http://okcommerce.zoom.us/j/346250014 Use the meeting ID: 474-216-813
Oklahoma SBDC advisors can help you assemble your SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application and talk through ideas to help keep your business operational during this pandemic. Visit www.OKSBDC.org or call 580-745-2877 for assistance. |
Oklahoma Department of Commerce - Relief Efforts and Workforce Information
1. ODOC Coronavirus Updates, Small business loans, Q & A – Oklahoma Department of Commerce
2. Unemployment Insurance – Governor Stitt waived the 2 week delay, so beneifts can start immediately. www.ok.gov.oesc.
3. Recruiting addditional workers – go to www.okworks.gov to access the app – okjobmatch
4. DOC is working to get out a list defining Essential Business per the Governor’s Executive Order. At current time, they are still using the Cyber Infrastructure list from Homeland Security– https://www.cisa.gov/. The Governor in his second executive order on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, tried to provide clarification which can be accessed on the Sec of State website www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1920pdf
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - COVID-19 Resources for Rural Businesses
COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide – https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf
Guide to Accessing Small Business Loans
US Chamber Resources
US Chamber has compiled comprehensive resources – https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
Updated Resource Guides:
– NEW – State-byState Business Reoping Guidance – https://www.uschamber.com/article/state-by-state-business-reopening-guidance
– NEW – Report Examinig COVID-19 Litigation Impact – https://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/research/ilr-briefly-covid-19-series-federal-liability-problems-and-solutions
– NEW – Independent Contractors’ Resources – https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/uscc_coronavirus_independent-contractors.pdf
– NEW – Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)<https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-sbas-economic-injury-disaster-loans>
– NEW – Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit <https://www.uschamber.com/report/guide-the-employee-retention-tax-credit>
– UPDATED – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist (Paycheck Protection Program)<https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final.pdf>
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued additional guidance yesterday regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. Links to the resources provided by Treasury can be found, or on their webpage<https://t.e2ma.net/click/5fmfhc/tamql0/5rngoj>.
– A top-line overview of the program can be found here<https://t.e2ma.net/click/5fmfhc/tamql0/lkogoj>.
– If you’re a lender, more information can be found here<https://t.e2ma.net/click/5fmfhc/tamql0/1cpgoj>.
– If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here<https://t.e2ma.net/click/5fmfhc/tamql0/h5pgoj>.
– The application for borrowers can be found here<https://t.e2ma.net/click/5fmfhc/tamql0/xxqgoj>.
Essential Business Definations
DOC is working to get out a list defining Essential Business per the Governor’s Executive Order. At current time, they are still using the Cyber Infrastructure list from Homeland Security – https://www.cisa.gov/. The Governor in his second executive order on March 23, 2020, tried to provide clarification which can be accessed on the Sec of State website www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1920pdf
Essential Employee Letters
If you are operating in an area that has imposed a stay at home order consider providing your employees with a letter. You may also want to give them a copy of the CISA Guidelines.
The Monitoring Association (TMA) Sample Letters: Any company using these samples must edit them for their own use and must perform their own internal review/due diligence after their edits and customization.
- Sample OKBFAA Letter
- Sample TBFAA Letter
- Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of NRTL-listed Monitoring Centers
- Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of Non-listed Monitoring Centers
- Sample CISA Letter for Company Employees of Installing Companies
- DHS CISA Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
OK Health Department - Coronavirus Stats
Current stats and counties with cases of COVID-19 –
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: DOL Q&A
The Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor has created an expanded question and answer page for employers seeking to meet the requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. You can find this page here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
COVID-19 Federal Relief Bill
Congress passed and the President signed the COVID relief bill representing $2 trillion dollars for COVID 19 relief efforts. On a call with Senator Lankford Friday, we learned that the Government’s intent was to get this aid to businesses as soon as possible. That is why community and local banks will be involved in the disbursement of excusable grants for business and their payroll, utilities (including mortgages or rent). Additionally there are loans up to $10 mil at 4% interest all accessible now through June 30, 2020. More information can be found here.
CDC Resources
U.S. Small Business Administration
Oklahoma State Chamber Resources
The State Chamber of which we are a member is hosting a variety of webinars with our Congressional delegation. Additionally, their site has small business and other resources. Click here.