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March 23, 2020

Small Business Disaster Loans

Minnesota is now listed among the states where the federal Small Business Administration’s low-interest loans are available to cover small-business operating expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has said that this program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits. These loans can go toward working capital to meet need including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term repayment options of up to a maximum of 30 years are available at 3.75% interest, and at 2.75% interest for non-profits. Businesses can defer payments for the first four months and owners can apply online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.

Questions can be directed to the SBA Hotline at 1-800-659-2955. More information from Minnesota’s DEED can be found at https://mn.gov/deed/.

Additional Resources

We have put together a list of resources including general information, business and unemployment resources, information on utilities and more. If you are looking for information, I would encourage you to check out this page.

Ways to Help

Support Our Medical Professionals

Hospitals across the nation and here in Minnesota are running out of important personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gowns, that help keep them safe while diagnosing and treating patients.

Due to this nationwide shortage, the Minnesota Nurses Association, local hospitals, and others are calling for donations of factory-made N95 ear loop masks or for volunteers to create CDC-approved, reusable face masks. Instructions on how to make hand sewn masks can be found on their website.

Masks can be safely donated starting Sunday, March 22 through April 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN
• Abbott Northwestern Hospital – West Health, 2805 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN
• Buffalo Hospital, 303 Catlin St, Buffalo, MN
• Cambridge Medical Center, 701 S Dellwood St, Cambridge, MN
• District One Hospital, 200 State Ave, Faribault, MN
• Mercy Hospital – Mercy Campus, Coon Rapids, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN
• Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, Fridley, 550 Osborne Rd, Fridley, MN
• New Ulm Medical Center, 1324 5th St N, New Ulm, MN
• Owatonna Hospital, 2250 NW 26th St, Owatonna, MN
• Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Rd, Hastings, MN
• River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E Division St, River Falls, WI
• St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave, Shakopee, MN
• United Hospital, 333 Smith Ave N, St. Paul, MN
• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation, Golden Valley, 3915 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN

Please be sure to remain in your car when you arrive to donate. A staff member will come to you to accept your donation.

This is a great way to support our healthcare professionals as they treat and diagnose Minnesotans. Please be sure to thank a doctor or nurse today!

Donate Blood

The American Red Cross needs your help! The Red Cross faces a severe shortage because nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Blood drives account for more than 80 percent of blood that the Red Cross collects, so if you are healthy and eligible to donate, please visit RedCrossBlood.org, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment.

Please Contact Me

If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-3201 or rep.mary.franson@house.mn. I would love to hear from you.

It’s an honor to represent the best!

303 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.3201