4/15/2021 On April 9, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal would remain temporarily suspended through the weekend as they worked to resolve technical issues. As of 4/15/2021 the site is still inaccessible. The SBA has not yet accepted any applications or distributed any funding. The eligible entities – an important part of regional and local economic ecosystems across the country -- include: live venue operators or promoters; theatrical producers; live performing arts organization operators; relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria; motion picture theater operators; talent representatives; and each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements. The SVOG program page provides: program details; supplemental documents; who can apply; grant amounts; how to apply; allowable use of funds; and video tutorials.

The Health Action Alliance offers a range of free resources and events to help businesses share facts about COVID-19 vaccines, encourage employee vaccination, and contribute to a stronger, healthier recovery for everyone. This includes:

• A Quick Start Guide, to help businesses make it as easier for employees and workers to get vaccinated;
• Communications Guidance, with sample CEO statements, social media posts, conversation guides, audience insights and key messages for employees;
• A suite of Small Business Resources, with tailored content to help small employers support workers and encourage vaccination; and,
• A comprehensive Vaccine Education Program for Diversity Professionals and Employee Resource Groups Leaders, offering coaching and support to engage communities of color and other disproportionately impacted workforce populations.

Alaska’s plan to pay out nearly $50 million to the fishing industry for pandemic relief has been approved by the federal government. Commercial applicants will need to show that the COVID-19 pandemic caused them at least a 35% loss in revenue last year. Applications will be accepted during a two-month window that opens March 1. This program will not be administered by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Please contact the Department of Fish and Game for details.

• Full Article
• Final Spend Plan
• Application

4/9/2021- The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has re-opened the PPP program until May 31,2021. The SBA also made four additional changes to open the PPP to more underserved small businesses.

The SBA has:

• Allowed sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
• Eliminated an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions.
• Eliminated PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make student loan payments by eliminating student loan debt delinquency as a disqualifier to participating in the PPP
• Ensured access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

For guidance regarding the PPP or EIDL program, please visit the SBA’s website: http://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection

The State of Alaska has set aside $35 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to specifically support nonprofits in Alaska adversely affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has partnered with The Alaska Community Foundation to establish the Coronavirus Nonprofit Relief Fund (CNRF) with the set-aside funding. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply to ACF for grants from CNRF.