New Vaccine Resources 

Now that all individuals over the age of 16 in the United States are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, employers can play a part in helping ensure their workforce has easy access to the vaccine by hosting an on-site vaccination clinic. The CDC recently issued new guidance to help businesses determine if on-site vaccination is an option for them.  To assist your members, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has prepared some new resources and best practices for hosting a vaccine clinic.


Other Information: 

How are states prioritizing and allocating vaccines?
How many people have been vaccinated in each state?
What planning tools are available for state officials?
Where can I find more information about how to get vaccinated?
 

SAFETY & EFFICACY INFORMATION 

Are COVID-19 vaccines really safe?
Do COVID-19 vaccines really work?
Where can I learn more about the Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines?
How does the Emergency Use Authorization process work?
What is Herd Immunity and how does it work?
Do individuals who have had COVID-19 still need to get vaccinated?
What should you expect when you’re vaccinated?
What common myths and misconceptions exist about vaccines?
What information is available for workplace vaccination sites and off-site clinics? What supplies do vaccination clinics need?
LEGAL ANALYSIS

Vaccine Considerations for Employers 
Vaccine Playbook for Employers (Gibson Dunn)
Survey: Employer Approaches to Vaccine Mandates PDF (Littler)
Global Legal Issues: International Employment Landscape (Seyfarth)

​
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 
Business Reopening Digital Resources Center (U.S. Chamber)
Path Forward: Navigating the Return to Work (U.S. Chamber Foundation Event Series)
Save Small Business Resources: Financial Relief, Guidance and Advice (U.S. Chamber)
Guide: Small Business Reopening Playbook (U.S. Chamber)
Business Response to COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout  (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
23 Frequently Asked PPP Loan Questions, Answered
This article was updated on 01/21/21

The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program offers forgivable loans to small businesses, but it has been changed several times. We answer all of your biggest questions.

From eligibility criteria to amount of funding provided, these are the most commonly asked questions pertaining to the loans being offered to struggling small businesses. 
One of the most extensive parts of the U.S. government’s response to COVID-19 disruptions for businesses was the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This program has distributed more than $500 billion in loans since its creation. However, the program has changed several times since it was originally created in March 2020. As such, many small businesses struggle to navigate some aspects of the PPP, such as eligibility and forgiveness.

In order to bring more clarity, we’ve compiled some of the most popular questions that have been asked and answered during our Small Business Update series and National Small Business Town Halls from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These virtual events have featured expert commentary on PPP and other issues facing small businesses during this uncertain time.

Here are popular questions businesses have been asking about PPP.

How does the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) work?
The PPP emergency loan program was created as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act in March 2020 and was authorized to distribute more than $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses. The program originally had just $350 billion allocated, but another $320 billion was added by Congress in April in order to help more businesses. Congress extended the PPP application deadline once more to August and then closed applications for the rest of 2020. In late December 2020, Congress passed the $900 billion Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) in order to help more businesses impacted by COVID-19. The CRRSAA fixed issues with PPP and put more money behind the program so businesses can apply for first-time and “second-draw” PPP loans. It also altered the criteria businesses needed to meet in order to be eligible for first-time and second-time loans and made forgiveness a little easier.

PPP loans are issued by private lenders and credit unions, and then they are backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The basic purpose of the PPP is to incentivize small businesses to keep workers on payroll and/or to rehire laid-off workers that lost wages due to COVID-19 disruptions. As long as businesses spend their loan money correctly, the full amount can be forgiven.

How do I apply for a first or second PPP loan?
Businesses can submit applications for PPP loans to SBA-approved private lenders, credit unions, and fintech companies. Businesses should start the process by talking to any lender they currently work with first to see if they are taking part in the PPP program. If you do not have an existing lending relationship, you may want to apply with a fintech company. The SBA also has a tool called Lender Match that can help businesses find an approved PPP lender.

For the latest wave of PPP loans that were approved in December 2020, applications opened for select community-based lenders on January 11, 2021, and then they will open up to more lenders in the following weeks. Applications for the latest PPP loans are open until March 31, 2021, or until all funding has been exhausted.

What’s different about the second-draw PPP loans?
The CRRSAA created the opportunity for businesses and nonprofits to apply for a second PPP loan if they meet certain criteria. The second-draw loans are more targeted than first-time PPP loans, and to qualify, businesses must 1) have previously received a PPP loan and used the full amount only for authorized uses; 2) have fewer than 300 employees; and 3) have had a 25% reduction in gross receipts during at least one quarter of 2020 versus the same quarter of 2019. The maximum loan size for a second PPP loan is $2 million versus $10 million for a first-time PPP loan. Additionally, the SBA has created a hub on second-draw PPP loans that may be useful.

How do I calculate the maximum amount for my PPP loan?
For first-time PPP loans, businesses and nonprofits generally can request a maximum loan amount of 2.5 times the average monthly 2019 payroll. Insurance payments can also be included in payroll costs. The SBA has also created an explainer for first-time PPP loans that outlines calculations for different types of businesses.

For second-draw PPP loans, the maximum loan amount is calculated as 2.5 times average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs for a maximum of $2 million. For borrowers in the accommodation and food sectors, they may qualify to use a higher calculation of 3.5 times average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs, but the maximum amount remains at $2 million. Work with an accountant or financial advisor to make sure you calculate the loan amount correctly.

What are the loan terms?
The interest rate for all PPP loans is set at 1%. PPP loans that were issued before June 5, 2020, mature in two years. Loans issued after June 5, 2020, have a maturity of five years. The maximum loan size for a first-time PPP loan is $10 million, and the maximum loan size for a second-draw loan is $2 million. No personal guarantee or collateral is required. Also, both the government and lenders involved with PPP are not allowed to charge small businesses any fees for processing these loans.

Do I qualify for a first or second PPP loan?
For first-time PPP loans, the majority of small businesses with fewer than 500 employees and select types of businesses with fewer than 1,500 employees are able to apply if they experienced revenue declines in 2020. Many 501(c)(3) non-profits, 501(c)(19) veteran organizations, tribal business concerns and self-employed workers/sole proprietors are eligible to apply. As of December 2020, 501(c)(6) nonprofits, local news media companies and housing cooperatives were added to the list of organizations that could apply. All publicly traded companies are prohibited from receiving PPP loans.

Businesses can apply for a PPP loan as long as they were operational on February 15, 2020, and had paid employees at that time (even if the owner is the only employee). The SBA’s 500-employee threshold includes all types of employees: full-time, part-time and any other status.

Lenders will also ask for a “good faith certification” that 1) the uncertain economic conditions make the loan request necessary to support operations, and 2) the borrower will use the loan proceeds for specific purposes like payroll and approved expenses.

How can I get my PPP loan forgiven?
Generally speaking, the loan can be fully forgiven if at least 60% has been spent on employee payroll. As of December 2020, the other 40% can be used on the following: (1) qualifying mortgage interest or rent obligations; (2) utility costs; (3) operations costs such as business and accounting software; (4) property damage such as destruction from civil unrest that was not insured; (5) supplier costs on essential goods; and (6) worker protection expenditures such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and sneeze-guards.

Forgiveness is primarily based on employers continuing to pay employees at normal levels during the eight-to-24-week period following the origination of the loan. Employers must attempt to keep headcount and payroll at the level it was before the pandemic to have the loan fully or partially forgiven.

Read this guide to PPP loan forgiveness for more details.

What can I do to maximize PPP loan forgiveness?
First, carefully document all the ways you spend PPP funds. Second, no matter what else you do, make sure 60% of the loan is spent strictly on payroll costs. Notably, there may be some leeway on headcount if you document that you tried to hire or rehire and could not get back to where you were on total employees. If you are able to rehire some workers and you spend 60% of funds on payroll, you should be able to get most or all of the loan forgiven.

Do businesses with smaller PPP loans have to do less paperwork?
Yes, Congress has said it will offer simplified PPP forgiveness for any business that took out a loan of less than $150,000. A one-page application for forgiveness will be released. The application will likely be similar or the same as the  PPP Loan Forgiveness Form 3508S.

​Can I use an EIDL grant and a PPP loan?
As of December 2020, Congress has changed the provisions surrounding Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants and PPP loans. Originally, if you received an EIDL grant, that would count against how much of your PPP loan was forgiven. Now businesses that are eligible to receive EIDL grants up to $10,000 while also having first- and second-draw PPP loans fully forgiven.
Is my business allowed to use the Employee Retention Tax Credit and PPP? When PPP was originally announced, businesses had to choose whether to take advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) or take out a PPP loan. As of December 2020, Congress changed the provisions so businesses can now use both. The expansion of ERTC can provide considerable benefits to businesses, regardless if they took out a PPP loan.
Read these updated guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) for more information.

Will the IRS be taxing the PPP loans or expenses paid for with PPP loans?
No, the IRS will not be taxing the PPP loans in any way. Originally, the IRS had ruled that expenses that were paid for with PPP loans were not deductible business expenses. However, in December 2020, this was changed, and businesses can now deduct regular business expenses paid for with PPP loan proceeds. The change applies to all issued PPP loans.
Read our the US Chamber's explainer regarding the tax implications of PPP loans for more details.

I applied for a PPP loan. How can I find out about my current status?
There are two major steps for getting a PPP loan: The private lender must approve your application and then the SBA must approve it. Check with your lender to see if they can tell where your application is in the process and if you have a loan origination number from the SBA.

My bank has not processed my PPP application yet. Can I apply through another lender as well? Yes, you can apply for a PPP loan through multiple lenders. But you should only accept one PPP loan.

Will my PPP loan be audited?
Small loans most likely won’t be targeted for auditing as long as your business has followed all the rules and you document your PPP spending. However, all PPP loans above $2 million will automatically be audited. If you are concerned about this, talk it over with your lender before accepting a PPP loan.

Should I pay employees with PPP funds even if my business is closed?
Yes, the law was designed to enable businesses to pay workers, no matter if they are performing different tasks outside of their normal job or not even working at all. The idea is to keep workers connected to their employers so that, ideally, once businesses open back up, employers are able to bring workers back to normal duties.

For independent contractors and sole proprietors, how do you document the cash you draw from the PPP loan to have it forgiven?
You should clearly document all expenses and maintain a separate PPP account that shows how you are using the PPP money. You want to make the process transparent in order to make it easier for the bank to forgive your loan.

If you have a workforce reduction, are you allowed to increase owner or other employee pay to meet the 60% threshold PPP requires?
Yes, you could increase an owner or another employee’s pay slightly. But make sure that you are not going over the $100,000 compensation limit and make sure the pay is well documented.

If I normally pay vacation pay and/or a bonus, can I do it now under the PPP program instead of later in the year like I normally would?
Be careful if you think about doing this. If you were normally accruing vacation pay or issuing bonuses during this same period last year, then you should be fine. But if you are doing things differently in a deliberate manner, this could set off red flags. Operate like you normally do. 

Is it necessary to open a separate banking account to utilize PPP funds? It is strongly encouraged to open a separate account for PPP funds in order to track where the money is going and to maximize forgiveness. However, it’s best to discuss this with your accountant or financial advisor to see what makes the most sense for your operation.

Can I add new employees during the PPP loan forgiveness period, and can their payroll be included for forgiveness?
Yes. The PPP has been designed so you can hire or rehire workers for your operation. You can hire new employees in order to get back to the average headcount and payroll of your business and have your loan forgiven.

What should an employer who has received a PPP loan do about an employee who is receiving unemployment insurance that exceeds their normal wages and they don’t want to come back?
An employee has the right not to come back, but you should remind them they’ve officially been offered the job back in writing. Employees that reject documented offers of re-employment “may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation,” according to the SBA. If an employee refuses to come back, keep documentation in order to show that when you are trying to maximize loan forgiveness.

As a small business owner, I’m confused about how we pay for rent, utilities, etc., when my PPP loan is 60% for employee payroll. The balance remaining based on the formula will not cover rent. What can I do?
The main purpose of the PPP loan is to maintain or rehire employees, so you must spend at least 60% on payroll. Businesses are encouraged to also look at state and local resources and to talk with local banks about additional short-term loan options. Businesses can also apply for EIDL grants to help cover costs.


For more resources check out the  U.S. Chamber of Commerce: CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

Picture
Click Here for Webinar 
Small Business Update on PPP, EIDL and Other Aid Programs
Jan. 19, 12:00 pm 

Guide to Small Business COVID Emergency Loans
01/07/2021

 As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.  


Congress has also made changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Venue Grant program, and SBA loan programs –that will benefit small businesses. Here’s everything small business owners need to know now:  

​Contents: 

1. How Do New Changes Impact My Existing PPP Loan? 

Tax Treatment: The new law overturns the IRS ruling and provides that regular business expenses paid for with PPP loan proceeds shall be deductible for tax purposes (applies to past and future loans). 


Expanded List of Expenses Qualifying for Forgiveness: The list of expenses that PPP funds can be used for that qualify for loan forgiveness has been expanded to include: 
“operations expenses” defined as payments for business software and cloud computing services and other human resources and accounting needs that facilitate business operations; 
“supplier costs” defined as payments to a supplier for goods that are essential to the operations of the borrower pursuant to a contract or purchase order in effect before the PPP loan is disbursed or with respect to perishable goods, in effect at any time; 
“worker protection expenses” defined as operating or capital expenditures to comply with public health guidance related to COVID-19, including things like drive-through windows and sneeze guards and the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE); and 
“covered property damage costs” defined as costs related to property damage or looting due to public disturbances in 2020 that are not covered by insurance or other compensation. 
Remember: It is still the case that not more than 40% of the forgiven amount can be for non-payroll costs, which may limit how much of your loan can be forgiven. 


Loan Forgiveness Reduction: If you also received an EIDL grant, your PPP loan forgiveness will no longer be reduced by the amount of the grant. 

Loan Forgiveness Period: The period for which expenses count toward loan forgiveness will begin on the date of loan origination and end on a date of your choosing that is between 8 and 24 weeks after origination. 

Simplified Application: If your loan was for less than $150,000, there will be a simplified one-page application process for loan forgiveness. 



2. I Exhausted My Initial PPP Loan, How Does This Help Me? 

The brand new “Second Draw” program is for small businesses, non-profits, sole proprietors, and independent contractors who have exhausted their initial PPP loan. The program will make new loans through March 31, 2021 or until the new funding is exhausted. 

Eligibility: You are eligible for a second draw loan if you have exhausted your first PPP loan and  
(1) you have less than 300 employees, and  
(2) you have experienced a greater than 25% reduction in gross receipts during the first, second, third, or fourth quarter in 2020 relative to the same quarter in 2019. 

Entities with significant ties to China are ineligible for a second draw loan. 

Loan Amount: The maximum loan amount is the average monthly payroll costs for the entity during the 12 months prior to the loan or, at the election of the borrower, 2019 multiplied by 2.5 (or 3.5 for employers in the accommodation and food service industry). 
Seasonal employers utilize average monthly payroll costs for a 12-week period between February 15, 2019 and February 15, 2020.  
A loan may not exceed $2 million. 

Loan Forgiveness: The amount of loan that can be forgiven is the lesser of: 
  1. Costs incurred or expenditures made between the date of the origination of the loan and ending on a date of your choosing that is between 8 and 24 weeks after origination for: (a) payroll costs, (b) qualifying mortgage interest or rent obligations, (c) covered utility costs, (d) covered operations costs, (e) covered property damage, (f) covered supplier costs, and (g) covered worker protection expenditures; or 
  2. Payroll costs for the same period divided by 0.60 (this serves as a cap on the total loan forgiveness to ensure that at least 60% of the total amount forgiven is for payroll costs). 
Like original PPP loans, the amount of loan forgiveness can be reduced if the borrower has (1) reduced the number of employees or (2) employee salaries by more than 25%. However, the same safe harbors that apply to original PPP loans apply to Second Draw loans. Learn more about these Safe Harbors in our Guide for PPP Loan Forgiveness. 
Set-Asides: $25 billion is set aside for employers with 10 or fewer employees or for loans less than $250,000 for entities located in a low-income neighborhood. (top)

3. What If I Never Received a PPP Loan? 

For new PPP applicants, the loan process will largely remain the same (check out our original PPP Guide) with a few major changes:  
  • The PPP program is open through March 31, 2021 or until the new funding is exhausted. 
  • If you are a 501(c)(6), a local news media organization, or a housing cooperative you may be newly eligible for a loan.  
  • You may qualify even if you took advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit. 
  • If you are a publicly traded company, you are now prohibited from receiving a loan. 
  • The maximum loan amount is now $2 million (was $10 million). 
  • Group insurance payment can be included in your payroll costs when determining your maximum loan amount (see Step 3 in our original Guide). 
  • If you are a seasonal employer, you have greater flexibility in picking the 12-week period between February 15, 2019 and February 15, 2020 used to determine your payroll costs and thus your maximum loan amount. 
New borrowers have until the end of the covered period of their loan (up to 24 weeks after origination) to restore a reduction in their number of employees or reduced wages in order to avoid having their loan forgiveness reduced.  Note: The safe harbors for when an employer cannot find qualified employees or where complying with COVID related safety measurers prevents a return to February 2020 levels of business activity and staffing remain in effect. Learn more in our Guide for PPP Loan Forgiveness. 
Set-Asides: $35 billion is set-aside for first time borrowers and $15 billion is set aside for employers with 10 or fewer employees or for loans less than $250,000 for entities located in a low-income neighborhood. 
Remember: The other changes regarding eligible uses of PPP funds and loan forgiveness discussed above will also apply to your new loan. (top)

4. Which Other Programs That May Help My Small Business Have Been Changed or Updated? 

Expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit: The new law significantly expands the employee retention tax credit beginning on January 1, 2021. The credit expires on June 30, 2021. The prior credit was 50% on $10,000 in qualified wages for the whole year (or a maximum of $5,000 per employee). The new credit is 70% on $10,000 in wages per quarter (or a maximum $14,000 per employee through June 30th).  

The new law also expands which employers are eligible. Prior to the new law, the employee retention tax credit applied only to an employer who experienced a decline in gross receipts of more than 50% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. Eligibility is now expanded to include employers who experienced a decline of more than 20%. 
In addition, the employee cap under which it is easier to claim the tax credit has been raised to 500 employees from 100 employees. Now, employers with 500 or fewer employees can claim the credit for wages to paid to employees irrespective of whether the employee is providing services.  

Employers can now also receive both the Employee Retention Tax Credit and a PPP loan, just not to cover the same payroll expenses. 
Remember: This is a refundable tax credit. See the Chamber’s original Guide to the ERTC for more information.  

EIDL Grants: The new law reopens the $10,000 EIDL Grant program. Priority for the full amount of the EIDL grant will be given to small businesses with less than 300 employees, located in low-income neighborhoods, who have experienced a 30% reduction in gross receipts during any 8-week period between March 2, and December 31, 2020 compared to a comparable 8-week period before March 2. If you meet this description and received a grant that is less than $10,000 you can reapply to receive the difference. 

Grants for Shuttered Venue Operators: The law creates a new $15 billion grant program for eligible live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, or talent representatives that have experienced at least a 25% drop in revenue. 
Grants are equal to the lesser of $10 million or 45% of gross earned revenue in 2019. Grants must be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.  
If you receive a grant you may not apply for a new PPP loan. 

SBA Loan Debt Forgiveness: The new law resumes the government payment of monthly principal and interest on small business loans guaranteed by the SBA under the 7(a), 504, and Microloan programs. Borrowers with loans approved by the SBA prior to the CARES Act will receive an additional three months of payments beginning in February of 2021. Those payments will be capped at $9,000 per borrower per month.  

After that, certain borrower will receive an additional five months of payments, including: borrowers with SBA microloans or 7(a) Community Advantage loans or borrowers with any 7(a) or 504 loan in hard hit sectors: educational services; arts, entertainment and recreation; food service and accommodation; support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction; apparel manufacturing; clothing and clothing accessories stores; sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores; air transportation; transit and ground passenger transportation; scenic and sightseeing transportation; publishing industries; motion picture and sound recording; broadcasting; rental and leasing services; and personal and laundry services. 

New SBA loans made or approved between December 22, 2020 and September 30, 2021 will receive six months of government payment of principal and interest, also capped at $9,000 per month. 
​

Frequently Asked Questions                           One-Minute Membership Assessment Survey                    Schedule a Membership Appointment                          Join Now ​​

Stay-At-Home Orders Lifted
05/14/2020

Guidelines for Opening Your  Business 
Gov. Doug Ducey said that he would allow his stay-at-home order to expire on May 15, and signaled that Arizona is one step closer to beginning to reopen its economy. Saying that the state has met the White House's gathering criteria to enter "Phase One" of its guidelines for states to reopen, Ducey signed an executive order that asks people to continue to physically distance without clear enforcement measures and for businesses to develop and institute plans to operate under state and federal public health guidance. Click Here: https://azgovernor.gov/executive-orders.

Read the Chamber's Open Letter to the Business Community  

Governor Ducey Re-Opening Guidelines:
General Resources and Tips for Re-Opening 

Sector-Specific Guidance

The pandemic has affected different industries differently — likewise, the reopening process will vary by sector. Here are sector-specific guidance from some of the leading industry associations and government sources:

For office-based businesses: 

For restaurants: 
For retailers: 
For home service providers:
For construction businesses: 
For gyms and fitness facilities: 
For office-based businesses: 
For hair, nail and beauty salons: 
For childcare programs: 
For camps and youth programs: 
For schools: 
For medical and dental: 
For lodging, retirement communities and assisted living  
For automotive and construction:
Parks, recreational facilities and special event planners: 
For banking, finance and real-estate 
Travel  

​
OPEN LETTER TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY 

Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act Passes with Bipartisan Support
June 8, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) was signed into law last week, giving greater flexibility to the program that provides COVID-19 relief aid to small businesses.  

There are several important changes that PPP loan recipients should be aware of:
Payroll spend requirement lowered to 60%  The percent of funds that must be spent on payroll was lowered from 75% to 60%, to be eligible for at least some loan forgiveness. But there also is now a cliff; payroll spend below 60% prevents any loan forgiveness. In addition, the list of eligible expenses does not change (rent, mortgage, utilities, and interest on loans). 

Time period to use funds extended to 24 weeks Recipients now have 24 weeks to spend funds from the time of origination, to be eligible for at least some loan forgiveness. This is up from the original eight weeks. What is more, small businesses do not have to wait for 24 weeks to apply for forgiveness, they can still do so 8 weeks after.

Deadline to rehire workers extended to December 30, 2020 Originally, small businesses were required to rehire workers by June 30, 2020 in order for their salaries to qualify for forgiveness, but under PPPFA that deadline has been extended and their salaries will qualify if the new deadline is met.

Loosens hiring requirements PPPFA states that a business can still receive forgiveness on payroll amounts if it meets any of the following criteria:Is unable to rehire an individual who was an employee of the eligible recipient on or before February 15, 2020;
1. Is able to demonstrate an inability to hire similarly qualified employees on or before December 31, 2020; or
2. Is able to demonstrate an inability to return to the same level of business activity as such business was operating at prior to February 15, 2020.
3. New guidance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be needed to elaborate on how to document these exceptions. 

Extends loan repayment from 2 to 5 years A business now will have five years at 1% interest to repay the loan and the first payment will be deferred for six months after the SBA makes forgiveness determination. Currently, banks have 60 days to make a forgiveness determination and the SBA an additional 90 days, which means small businesses could have up until May of 2021 to make the first payment on their PPP loan.

Deferment of payroll taxes for social security  PPPFA now allows borrowers to take advantage of the CARES Act provision allowing deferment of the employer’s payroll taxes for social security on the forgivable portion of the loan.  
PPPFA addresses many of the concerns raised by the small business community. Once important technical changes are applied by Sen. Rubio and Sen. Collins, PPPFA will go a long way to ensuring small businesses have greater flexibility to use their PPP loan and maximize their loan forgiveness. With funding still available through PPP, these changes could instill confidence and encourage more small businesses to apply for the program.
​COVID-19
Resources | Response | Impact

The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is working diligently on behalf of the business community during these turbulent times. 

​We Are:  
  • Representing your interests with officials and policymakers at every level of government
  • Encouraging our communities to shop local and support our small businesses
  • Connecting our members with the resources and tools they need to stay in business.​​
Breaking NEWS 
Chamber to Offer Free Marketing Tools for Every Business in the NW Valley!
05/13/2020

The Chamber says it is now time for all businesses to prepare to re-open, recover and grow: and it's providing the resources and tools to help make it happen for every business in the NW Valley.

When guidelines are in place to ensure employees and customers are provided a safe environment, the business community must be prepared to respond quickly, says Bill Vensel, Chair of the Board of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. "This is why we have launched the Saving Small Business Initiative: Helping Business Re-open, Recover and Grow." In an unprecedented move, the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is opening up its entire marketing arsenal for the benefit of the entire business community and doing so at no cost to the business with its free COVID-19 Marketing Resources Membership

What is the Chamber doing! A lot!    

The Chamber as usual will continue its mission related work of :
Here are some of the new things, and remember, we are not  your grandfather's Chamber   

  • The Chamber Saving Small Businesses Initiative. The tagline/marketing message is Helping Businesses Re-Open, Recover, and Grow.  Kicking off the event initiative is an Action Alert requesting all businesses to sign on to a letter going to elected official at the federal, state and local level. The Chamber new Action Alert system allows businesses to fill out a short form and we will send out the messages for you! Its fast and easy! 
  • In an unprecedented move, the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is opening up its entire digital marketing arsenal to the business community! There will be the announcement of a free COVID-19 Marketing Resources Membership for all businesses in the six cities we serve. This is a bold move on the part of the Chamber, but we felt it was an essential strategy for helping businesses recover. 
  • Shop Local/ ShopSurprise  the Chambers signature economic development  program will be temporarily expanded to include more businesses (non-chamber members may now enroll in the program). This is being done to help jump start our local economy. 
  • Take-Out Tuesday was launched this week and will encourage residents in all our communities to make Tuesday an extra special day for ordering take out. The digital promotional campaign is part of the Chamber's award winning  Shop Local/ShopSurprise business retention and expansion efforts.   
  • Virtual Re-Opening Celebrations: Not every business wants or needs to plan a formal grand opening, especially with COVID-19 concerns.  Today,  many businesses simply want to get the word out to as many people, that they are open for business. A  virtual grand opening is ideal.  No more cutting a ribbon  in a crown of people.  The new Virtual grand openings are not limited geographically and can reach thousands of more people. getting exposure, brand recognition,  and more customers is what the virtual grand opening is all about.  The Chamber will make available resources like our Facebook, SMS text messaging program to announce grand opening  
Three Tips for Every Business About Reopening

Businesses of all sizes will play an important role in reassuring the public and instilling the confidence needed to return to work—and life.  Here are three key takeaways from conversation  with some experts  

  • Consumers want physical, visual assurances that places of business are safe.  These might include placing hand sanitizer in a prominent place, having employees cleaning, showing a visible plan of action to protect customers and employees, and a certification from local health officials that the business is abiding by recommendations.
  • Consumers maintain considerable optimism and pent-up demand for goods or services that have become limited or unavailable in the pandemic. When we reopen, businesses must seize that opportunity.
  • Some customer expectations may significantly, and permanently, change (e.g. greater demand for online and contact-free services). We must not limit our thinking to “returning to normal” but instead look ahead to a “new normal” and be ready to meet new demands and expectations in the post-COVID environment.

​The most important conclusion is this: The human spirit is indomitable. People are adaptive. I am optimistic that ingenuity, industriousness, and resilience will win the day.

To watch the complete video click here
​
Five Things You Need to Know about the Next Round of PPP Funding 
04/24/2020

Today the Paycheck Protection Program got  an infusion of $320 billion in funding! Congress also allocated $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.     

Five Chamber Recommendations for this New Round of Funding 
  1. Apply NOW. We recommend applying immediately or within the next 72 hours at the latest.  The funds ran out in two weeks during the last funding cycle, plus there are tens of thousands applications still in the que. Time is of essence!   Don't forget that self-employed individuals and independent contractors are also eligible. 
  2. Go to your current financial lender first.  Banks typically show preference to existing customers.
  3. If your bank was unable to help you, Go Back!  Smaller banks are in a better position now. Today's stimulus measure will allot around $60 billion to smaller financial institutions. 
  4. Try a Community/Local Bank: One survey indicated that during the first round of the PPP, roughly half of all small businesses got their loan from a local community bank. Most are up to speed now, and since they are a bit smaller, they are also more nimble.  
  5. NEW! Consider applying with a FinTech: PayPal, Intuit, Square and others,  have just been approved to participate in  the  Paycheck Protection Program! They might prove easier to work with, especially business owners who don't have a longstanding relationships with a traditional bank.


Picture


​Attention Independent Contractors or Self-Employed
​

If you are an independent contractor or self-employed, you may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans/grants, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and/or Unemployment Compensation for losses of income related to the coronavirus pandemic. Click Here 

​04/21/2020:  Earlier this afternoon, the administration and the Senate reached a deal to increase the funding of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs under the CARES Act to provide emergency financial relief for small business owners navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect the House to vote on this bill on Thursday, April 23rd. 


03-27-2020
CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS
Small Business Guide and Checklist

​
3/19/2020
ACTION ALERT UPDATE:
SBA DISASTER LOANS NOW AVAILABLE
The Small Business Administration minutes ago approved loans for Arizona businesses affected by COVID-19. Individual businesses can be eligible for up to $2 million through the program. Please share this email with other businesses.The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Small businesses throughout the entire state that fit this criteria are eligible. Arizona businesses impacted by COVID-19 may apply for the loan HERE. 
Picture





​
​

​
​Employer Tools and Resources   

All employers should be implementing strategies to protect their workforce from the coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. Download these guides created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to learn more about how employers and employees can prepare for and address the impacts of the coronavirus.


Source: US Chamber of Commerce
The Surprise Regional Chamber Commerce collaborates* with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest and most influential lobbying group in America!  Also working with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, and surrounding chambers,  we are able rally resources and mobilize around common issues giving.    


FEMA

Emergency Preparedness Resources for Businesses (21)
​When business is disrupted, it can cost money. Lost revenues plus extra expenses means reduced profits. Insurance does not cover all costs and cannot replace customers that defect to the competition. A business continuity plan to continue business is essential. Ready Business will assist businesses in developing a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards.


Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Additional resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:For additional information and resources, visit https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/coronavirus.

Business COVID-19  Survey Results
CEOs across the globe are coming to terms with the reality that business will be anything but normal over the coming months as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate.

But while revenues are set to suffer a short-term hit, the majority of leaders remain confident that their companies will be back on solid footing within the year, according to a new study on the business impact of the outbreak of COVID-19.

The survey results found that 82% of business leaders expect declines in revenues over the next six months, but more than half (54%) anticipate revenues will be back to normal in a year’s time. And 61% of CEOs expect their total fixed investments to remain unchanged year on year.

How Business Owners are Responding
Among the industries seeing the greatest impact from the fallout are hospitality and travel (89%), education (87%) and media and entertainment (80%). Meanwhile, production firms in agriculture, factories, mines and utilities reported some uptick in revenues.
Nevertheless, business leaders across the board (95%) said they’re taking new measures curb the impact of the virus. That includes communicating more regularly with employees (68%), adopting new health and safety procedures (67%), cancelling major events (64%) and halting business travel (53%).

Meanwhile, other respondents, when asked for their advice for business leaders, recommended the following:
  • Focus on the facts
  • Communicate regularly with employees and stakeholders/customers
  • Stabilize supply chains
  • Make short-term and long-term plans

Citation: The Survey was conducted by YPO a  global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries. Full Press Release
SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS & KEY MESSAGES

For shareable social graphics on how to keep families, schools, and businesses safe, and what to do if you get sick, visit www.uschamber.com/coronavirus-response-toolkit.
Picture




​

FIGHTING FOR BUSINESS FUND DRIVE
​
  • Each year the Chamber of Commerce conducts its  Fighting for Business Fund Drive . During this period  the Chamber  solicites the community for support  of our mission work and fighting for a pro-business climate.   
 
  • Being the VOICE of the business community is what our Chamber is all about. Gone are the days of parades, parties, pageants, and mixers. In today’s economic and political environment, it is more critical that the Chamber works to represent the collective voice of the business community by influencing the public policies that will impact our business communities. 
 
  •  Economic Development:  The Surprise Regional  Chamber of Commerce  invests in business retention and expansion (BR&E) activities like shop local and helps to connect companies with the community.   
 
  • Membership dues only cover 50% of our program efforts.  Your support is essential, if we are to be the VOICE of business and  the champion for free enterprise!   
 
  • Last year we hired a lobbyist, implemented an Action Alert program, developed annual legislative priorities, and weighed in on over 60 bills at the state legislature.  We now have a grassroots network of over 4,000+ business and individuals, to make our VOICE more louder than ever.
 
  • Next year there will be another tidal wave of bills and legislation that will impact your business. It will be more important than ever that the Chamber weighs in on behalf of the business community.  Your annual gift to the Chamber makes all this possible. 


 Click Here For Information on Bequests and Estate Plans (individuals) 
​
Picture
​Our goal this year is to raise $25,000 to significantly expand our advocacy efforts and need your contribution to support our mission of championing economic prosperity and fostering a pro-business climate at all levels of government.  
Picture




​​Though you might not find the time to attend our events or become a member of the Chamber, you can still support our work  with a generous gift, and take comfort in knowing the Chamber is working diligently on behalf of your business.
Picture





The Chamber Promise
​The Chamber Promise reflects our fervently-held belief that  the health of the business community and the health of larger community in which it lives are inextricable. And our work – is central to  the success of the community as a whole. 


Picture
​


​One of the most valuable, and often overlooked functions of a chamber is being an advocate for the business community.  The Chamber works to represent the collective voice of the business community. Whether it's setting legislative goals, working with our lobbyist, sending out Action Alerts or keeping voters informed through our forums, the goal is ensuring an environment where business can prosper.




​​
​
Tax Information &  Protecting Your Privacy   
The Chamber is a non profit organization and qualifies for exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(6) and may engage in unlimited lobbying  that is germane to accomplishing our mission without jeopardizing our exemption. Your gift to the Annual Fund Drive is 95% tax deductible as a business expense (Please check with tax preparer.) Your gift not associated with a membership plan.  The Chamber is not a political action committee (PAC) and does not endorse candidates. The Chamber is dedicated to protecting your privacy and does not rent, sell, trade or otherwise share our lists.

. 

Services

Join
Advocacy
Programs 

Company

About
Volunteer 
Biz Resources

Support

Contact
Free Newsletter 
Privacy and Lists 
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Surprise Regional Chamber