New Executive Orders
Last week, the governor signed two executive orders, regarding first responder licenses and medical cannabis patients. The first order allows the licensing boards for peace officers, firefighters, and private security personnel to extend licenses and defer continuing education requirements for peace officer licenses expiring soon.
The second order extends re-certification dates for current medical cannabis patient enrollments expiring in the next several months, and allows patients to request a temporary caregiver so they are able to send someone to pick up medication on their behalf. It also allows medical cannabis patients to practice social distancing with curbside delivery and telephone pharmacist consultations.
In addition, two new executive orders were announced Monday.
Monday's first order authorizes out-of-state mental health providers to treat Minnesota patients via telehealth services to help ensure that the mental health needs of Minnesotans are met during the increased stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since many Minnesotans receive mental health services from providers in the surrounding states, this executive order ensures that their care can continue. It also waives some late fees and deadlines for licensure of dentists, barbers, and cosmetologists.
The second executive order modifies an earlier one regarding Unemployment Insurance (UI), by providing an administrative fix to streamline applications for UI benefits, and implementing a federal notification requirement that will help Minnesota qualify for additional federal UI funds.
You can see all of the governor's executive orders online here.
Small Business Resources
One of the questions I get most often is about what resources are available for small businesses. Over the last few weeks, several state and federal programs have been built to assist small businesses that are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have issues with a small business program application, or questions about whether your business is eligible for a program, please contact DEED using the resources available on their website for the fastest and most accurate answers. In addition, programs passed by the federal government may not yet be available — please keep checking the federal program websites for updates.
Different programs make sense for different businesses, so DEED has provided a summary guide to help small businesses quickly see which programs might be right for their situation.
These programs include:
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
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Summary of Program: Low interest, long term Economic Injury Disaster Loans for up to $2 million: The first payment is deferred for 12 months. The application has been simplified and can be completed 100% online through our improved web portal at www.sba.gov/disaster. 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% and the loans can be extended over 30 years.
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
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Summary of Program: The SBA PPP is a new federal $350 billion loan program at SBA for small businesses, self-employed people, and gig workers to help them from going under due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If employers maintain payroll, the loans would be forgiven.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
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Summary of Program: Congress authorized a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that covers those who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, such as independent contractors and self-employed people. The program was authorized but must be created by the states, so Minnesota must build out this program before it can be implemented. More information will be available soon, however it could be several weeks before payments begin.
- Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program
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Summary of Program: Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loans are made through an approved lender – you can find FAQs, application materials and lenders on the DEED website. These loans are for $2,500 to $35,000 and at a 0% interest rate. There is a total of $30 million available for this program.
- Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
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Summary of Program: This program provides a 80% loan guarantee for loans up to $250,000 made by a qualified economic development lender within this program. Details for business are not yet on DEED’s website but DEED and agency partners are reaching out to lenders to make them aware of this new program – look for more details soon. This program is intended to incent the private market to make loans to small businesses and provides the guarantee for those loan dollars. The state is providing a loan guarantee of $10 million which is likely to leverage between $20 and $25 million in lending by private banks.
- Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program
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Summary of Program: The Shared Work program offers an alternative to layoffs for employers facing a temporary downturn in business. Administered by DEED’s Unemployment Insurance Division, the program allows employers to divide available hours of work among a group of employees instead of implementing a full layoff. These employees may then receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. The purpose of Shared Work is to avoid a layoff, not to subsidize wages.
For more information on any of these programs, visit the DEED website here.
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