Economic Development COVID-19 Information

Governor of Kansas Executive Orders: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/

Presidential Actions: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/

Dickinson County Health Officer Orders 3.23.2020:                         https://www.dkcoks.org/DocumentCenter/View/7136/2020-03-13-School-Closing-Order

Pending House Bill H.R. 6201: https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20200309/BILLS-116hr6201-SUS.pdf  

Pending FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/Families%20First%20Summary%20FINAL.pdf

Small Business FAQ & Loans: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Unemployment Information: https://www.dol.ks.gov/covid19response

Health Recommendations for Dickinson County: https://www.dkcoks.org/1189/CoVid-19-Recommendations

Managing Stress: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (from the CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

How to clean and disinfect (CDC Recommendations): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

flatening the curveTips:

Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations.

Employers should educate staff and workers performing cleaning, laundry, and trash pick-up activities to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 and provide instructions on what to do if they develop symptoms. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html

Consider cross training employees for key functions so that daily schedules be relatively uninterrupted in case of absence.

Can your employees work remotely?  Considering this option may help families who cannot obtain childcare during the recommended social distancing and can help sustain your business. 

Review your sick leave and absentee policies to ensure employees do not feel encouraged to come to work while sick.

Communicate with the Health Department (785.263.4179 or 785.258.2741) or Kansas Department of Health & Environment at 1-866-534-3463 or by e-mail: COVID-19@ks.gov

Check with your local Chamber office for more info: https://www.abileneks.net/ or https://tricountycofc.com/

National COVID-19 Resources:

Federal and state government entities and nonprofits are working together to control the spread of the coronavirus and to support the businesses and individuals impacted by the virus and/or the protective measures being taken. 

Resources for Businesses

Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated 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). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
  • Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
  • SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.
  • Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities.
  • 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 without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
  • 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.
  • SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Federal COVID-19 Resources

Health and Safety

Travel and Transportation

Money and Taxes

Housing

International Cooperation

Workers

  • OSHA COVID-19 Resources
  • Some states are extending unemployment benefits to those quarantined or laid off due to COVID-19.