ChamberWest Leadership Communication - 110 Days - Stay Safe to Stay Open Pledge

Good afternoon!
 
If you have felt anything like I have over the last 110 days of COVID-19 induced craziness, it was so nice to enjoy a change of pace with a three day weekend in celebration of July 4^th!  Just like the birth of American Independence and the energy behind a new form of government and the future it made possible, I’m hopeful you are filled with a sense of the American spirit as you work to rebuild, maintain, or take advantage of your growth opportunities.  We remain committed to support you as we continue to push out pertinent information, host topical and timely events, and work on behalf of our business community. 
 
It's great to be open and to welcome customers, but customers and staff need to know that you are doing everything in your power to ensure their safety. To that end, we are joining with the Salt Lake Chamber and other chambers in Utah as part of the Stay Safe to Stay Open, a statewide campaign to meet the critical imperatives of helping Utah address the health-related objectives to prevent and recover from the coronavirus while assisting our business community in an effort to appropriately strengthen our state’s economy.
 
By taking this pledge, participating local businesses will be able to clearly identify their commitment to safety with colorful signage for display in windows and throughout their establishments, demonstrating they have taken a pledge to follow the state’s guidelines.  For more details, please visit: https://stayopenutah.com/.  As you fill out the information to take the pledge, you are able to request printed collateral with our logo added which can be picked up from our office or delivered to you by one of our staff members. 
 
If you have not applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program loan, legislation was passed and signed into law last week which extended the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans to August 8, 2020.  According to the SBA, there is still $131 billion available so if you need assistance and have not yet obtained a PPP loan, please reach out to an SBA approved lender as soon as possible.   You can find a lender at: https://sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find…h or learn more at: https://sba.gov/paycheckprotection.
As a reminder, businesses severely impacted by the public health order closures can apply for up to $35,000 in grants through the Salt Lake County $40 million Covid-19 Small Business Impact Grant program.  The application process opened June 16^th and will continue until the funds are exhausted.  Information about the Grant can be found at slco.org and a video tutorial is available at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPCTuH3i9Ek .
 
Changes were made to the $40 million COVID-19 Commercial Rental Assistance Program for small businesses that lost revenue as a result of measures taken during the pandemic to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19.  For those who have already applied, there is no need to reapply as you will be automatically reconsidered and for those who qualify for additional grant money based on the changes, checks will be mailed beginning June 30^th.  You can learn more at utahgoed.info/comrent. 
 
Work continues on the state grant programs passed as part of HB5010 - COVID-19 Economic Recovery Grant Program with an expected roll out of August 5^th.  You can read the entire bill at:   https://le.utah.gov/~2020S5/bills/static/HB5010.html/.  The expected grants include:  

• COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant Program – “Shop in Utah” – $25 million

• COVID-19 Cultural Assistance Grant Program – $9 million

• COVID-19 PPE Support Grant Program – “Safe in Utah” – $5 million
• COVID-19 Displaced Worker Grant Program – “Learn and Work in Utah” – $9 million
• COVID-19 Outreach and Education Program – “Healthy In Utah” - $1 million.