Coronavirus Updates and Resources

Friends, the information and resources below will be updated regularly. For real-time news and updates follow the CDC on Twitter at @CDCgov and the PA Department of Health at @PAHealthDept.

April 7, 2020

PA Fish & Boat Commission: PA Trout Fishing Season Now Open
Effective 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in consultation with the Office of the Governor, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opened the statewide 2020 trout season. This measure allows properly licensed anglers and youth to begin fishing for and harvesting trout. All regulations, sizes, and creel limits apply. (More)

April 1, 2020

Speaker Mike Turzai: Trump’s coronavirus response will protect Pennsylvania’s blue-collar workers
”The president’s authorization of direct cash payments to Americans, which will provide most working families with an invaluable financial buffer in these uncertain times, is about to take effect. I wholeheartedly support this proposal, which will give the typical family of four a vital $3,400 buffer…Pennsylvanians should be assured that their elected officials at all levels, from President Trump to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, are working to provide the necessary tools to combat COVID-19 together and turn the economy back into the robust engine it was.” (Read Full Column)


U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Information on Paycheck Protection Program

The U.S. Department of Treasury shared new information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Please review the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury below and visit their webpage for additional information.

  • A top-line overview of the program can be found here.

  • If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.

  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.

  • The application for borrowers can be found here.

SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
Paycheck Protection Program | Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance | SBA Debt Relief | SBA Express Bridge Loans | Guidance for Businesses and Employers | SBA Products and Resources | Government Contracting | Local Assistance

March 30, 2020

PA Governor Wolf
Expands ‘Stay at Home’ Order to Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties, Extend School Closures Indefinitely
“Stay at Home” order revised to include Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill counties, bringing the state total to 26 counties under a stay-at-home order…All stay- at-home orders are now extended through April 30. All PA schools will remain closed until further notice. Non-life-sustaining business closures remain in effect. (Press Release)

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. (See Guide)

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
Where can I apply for the Paycheck Protection Program? You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. This could be the bank you already use, or a nearby bank. (See FAQs)

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 
Coronavirus Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide and Checklist.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. (See Guide)

March 27, 2020

PA Dept. of Health: As of 12:00 a.m., March 27, there are 531 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 2,218 in 50 counties. The department also reported seven new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 22. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. (MORE)

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Pennsylvania by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions. Additionally, FSA is relaxing the loan-making process and adding flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit to producers in need. (MORE)

March 26, 2020

Governor Tom Wolf announced that he will spend up to $50 million in transferred state funding to purchase medical equipment and supplies for hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency workers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania. (MORE)

March 25, 2020

New funding is available to help small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, through a new program under the PA Industrial Development Authority’s (PIDA) Small Business First Fund, the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA). All loan applications must be submitted through a Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO). For the list of CEDO’s operating within Pennsylvania, please refer to dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-working-capital-access-program-cwca/.

Gun Shops Allowed to Reopen on a Limited Basis: Gun stores are now able to reopen and sell their wares on a limited basis.  All transactions must be done by individual appointment during limited hours. (MORE)

READ: $2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill. Senate leaders have passed a historic $2 trillion deal to provide economic relief for Americans, businesses and the health care industry in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic. (MORE)

March 24, 2020

Secretary of Agriculture on Food Supply and Hoarding: It's Hurting Pennsylvania's Food Banks (WATCH)

STATE RESOURCES

Overall resource site - your best starting point
Responding to COVID-19 - PA's Resource Guide
PA Department of Health updates 


Information for Businesses Affected by Gov. Wolf's Closure Order
List of businesses deemed "life sustaining" or not by the governor (updated 03/21/20 PM)
FAQ Document provided by the governor's office

Individuals or business owners who have questions about whether a business can remain open or must close should direct email their questions to ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.

Businesses seeking a waiver from the order are directed to email RA-dcexemption@pa.gov. 
Waiver Request Form 
PA Department of Community & Economic Development (additional business designations and resources)

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Perry Stambaugh