Alaska Business
Covers COVID-19
Update:The CDC is recommending that everyone wear cloth face coverings when in public.
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We’re in the midst of an uncertain social and economic environment. COVID-19 has sparked worldwide health concerns, and attempts to prevent the spread of the virus are creating challenges for small and large businesses alike.
Alaska Business believes in our mission to be a resource for Alaska businesses, and as a member of the media, we do receive ongoing updates about the virus and how Alaska’s businesses are responding to it. We have compiled below Economic Resources; Mandates, Advisories, and Plans; Webinars and Expert Advice; and Cancelled/Changed Events.
Whatever your job requires of you in the oncoming weeks, please always be conscientious and prioritize your safety and the safety of others.
Economic Resources
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is an SBA loan that help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The SBA has published an FAQ, found here.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan is available through the SBA; here is the loan application.
Tax Questions?
The IRS has extended “Tax Day” to July 15; here is the IRS Filing and Payment FAQ. The IRS has also launched the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll.
CARES Act
President Trump has signed the Corornavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act; The US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship has published this Guide to the CARES Act.
Unemployed?
For those who have been laid off due to COVID-19, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development is accepting applications for Unemployment Insurance benefits online.
Mandates, Advisories, and Plans
- Visit Coronavirus.gov for federal updates on COVID-19 in the United States; information on symptoms and what to do if you think you’re sick; and President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.
- Governor Dunleavy has issued COVID-19 Health Mandates 1-12, all of which can be found on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 page.
- The state has published the Alaska COVID-19 Dashboard to provide up-to-date information to Alaskans about COVID-19.
Webinars and Expert Advice
- Thompson & Co. Public Relations is offering free communications consulting to up to three Alaska nonprofits every week throughout April. Visit ThompsonPR.com to complete an online questionnaire to apply,
- Art Nash and Leif Albertson from the UAF Cooperative Extension service offer this advice on improving your home air quality.
- The Alaska SBA is hosting free Daily Briefings for Small Businesses about Coronavirus Opportunities.
- WEBINAR: Help is on the Way: COVID 19 Grants for Nonprofits and Small Businesses. The free, one-hour webinar takes place on Thursday, April 9.
- WEBINAR: COVID-19 Clean Practice Training. This free webinar on April 10 will provide businesses with information on how to reduce or eliminate disease transmission vectors in the workplace.
- WEBINAR: BDO is hosting a series of COVID-19 related webinars.
Event Updates
- AOGA’s annual conference has been rescheduled for July 30 (previously May 29).
- Alaska Executive Strategy Symposium has been rescheduled for June 16-18 (previously April 16-18)
- Homer Winter King Tournament is postponed to April 25
- The Alaska Railroad has suspended the Aurora Winter Train for the remainder of the winter season; it is delaying the start of its summer trains until early July. Visit the Alaska Railroad’s website for schedule details.
- Permits for climbing Denali and Mount Foraker have been suspended for the 2020 season
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Keeping Your Home’s Air Healthy
As Alaskans shelter in place, indoor air quality becomes a greater concern. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service offers these considerations on home air quality.
Small Business Owners Need to Know about the Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is an SBA loan program that provides a direct incentive to small businesses to keep employees on the payroll as we all manage the COVID-19 crisis.
State of Alaska Unveils COVID-19 Dashboard
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, unveiled the new Alaska COVID-19 Dashboard in an effort to keep the public informed with the latest data available.
AIDEA Creates Billion Dollar Loan Guaranty Program
Sustaining Alaska’s Future Economy Guaranty Program (AK SAFE) was recently approved by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), to confront the economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. AIDEA will make up to $50 million available for loan guarantees under AK SAFE, and subject to authorization for a statutory change, AIDEA will increase the program cap to $1 billion.
‘Eskimo Ninja’ Nick Hanson Leads Live, At-Home Workout Series with GCI
NBC “American Ninja Warrior” competitor Nick Hanson, known around the state as the Eskimo Ninja, will stream a series of live, at-home workouts on GCI’s Facebook page to promote activity and mental health while Alaskans are staying in their homes and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Update: Trump Signs $2 Trillion CARES Act
UPDATE: Following it’s passage by the US House of Representatives, President Trump has signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a bill to provide major relief to families, small businesses and their employees, as well as to stabilize our economy and protect jobs. The bill also provides a surge of support for bolstering the healthcare response during this COVID-19 pandemic.