From the PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The legislature passed and Gov. Tom Wolf quickly signed the first bill of the 2021-22 session last week. Act 1 of 2021 includes more than $900 million in financial aid to Pennsylvanians impacted by COVID-19, including small businesses.
Notably, Act 1 exempts from state taxation federal Paycheck Protection Program loans that were subsequently forgiven. Congress established the PPP as part of the CARES Act that was signed last April, and the program has helped employers financially withstand this difficult and uncertain time and, in particular, keep employees on payroll.
The legislation also creates a $145 million grant program to help businesses in the hospitality industry that have been financially impacted due to the pandemic. The program is funded by transferring money from the employer-funded Workers’ Compensation Security Fund, which provides workers’ compensation benefits in the event that an insurance carrier becomes insolvent. Local economic development agencies would administer the program and employers could be eligible for grants of up to $50,000.
In a memo sent to lawmakers, the PA Chamber expressed that, while the $145 million for the grant program would ideally have come from another source, the PA Chamber appreciated that the transfer was structured as a loan and requires replenishment of the fund with federal dollars should Congress appropriate additional funding to mitigate revenue shortfalls as a result of the pandemic.
Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) released the following statement after being named as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access for the Small Business Committee in the 117th Congress. Meuser also has been selected to serve on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations:
“As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access this Congress, I look forward to fighting for small businesses across the country, many of which have suffered from unfair treatment over the past year due to arbitrary lockdowns,” said Rep. Meuser. “To mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am committed to removing red tape, improving access to capital, and working with the Small Business Administration to make the Paycheck Protection Program as available and workable for those businesses that need it to survive.”
“I am eager to work alongside Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access ranking member Dan Meuser to fight for pro-growth policies while reducing overreaching red tape for our nation’s small businesses,” said the ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03). “Our committee is comprised of Republican Members from all backgrounds with one common goal: we must allow our country’s small businesses to safely open their doors once again. I am looking forward to providing much needed relief to America’s hardworking men and women to ensure they have the tools and the freedom they deserve to thrive.”
In Congress, the ranking member is the most senior (though not necessarily the longest-serving) member of the minority party on a committee (or subcommittee). The ranking member typically oversees minority committee staff and may coordinate involvement of the minority party committee members in committee activities. To learn more about the House Small Business Committee, please click HERE.
A Look Inside PPL Electric’s Website
PPL Electric Utilities is happy to announce the next webinar, which will be held on February 24th from 2 PM-3 PM.
During this webinar, you’ll take a look inside pplelectric.com and view what the website has to offer.
PPL project manager, Susie Smith, will demonstrate how to complete the following items and more:
• Register your account.
• Sign up for alerts.
• Monitor your usage.
• Enter a request for service.
• Report an outage.
Then, we’ll take some time to answer your questions on any topic. We’ll also ask what information you’d like to hear about during future webinars.
Register today and reserve your spot for this engaging webinar:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N3JPDDC
NEPIRC & IRC Network to Host Free Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers Webinar
In response to industry inquiries, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network will host a no-cost “Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers” webinar for manufacturing firms of all sizes on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The live interactive webinar will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams and advance registration is required.
The webinar will be moderated by NEPIRC and the featured presenter will be James Devine, a partner of Cipriani & Werner – a nationwide legal firm that specializes in representing employers in this niche aspect of HR and employment law. Among other topics, the event will cover the legal ramifications of mandating vaccination for employees, how to address the concerns of workers opposed to vaccination, the extent to which employers can disclose the vaccination status of co-workers and similar topics.
Manufacturing sector managers, supervisors, HR professionals and executives desiring to register for the event should email CLICK HERE to immediately register. While the event is free to attend, electronic “seating” is limited to 250 attendees.
Bason Coffee has always held their desire to serve as a core value of their business. From waking Christmas morning each year to bring coffee to the hospital for employees who are working the holiday, to hosting fundraisers and supporting area nonprofits, organizations, and sports teams. The family is always looking for ways to give back. When the virus hit that didn’t change but ramped up. No frontline worker (police, paramedic, USPS, UPS and FedEx worker, etc.) on duty pays for a cup of coffee. They brewed boxes of coffee for the Geisinger admission and screening tents, sent coffee to the units, and always asked if there was any more they could do.
When the vaccines hit, they learned of the hours being worked by the staff and the number of vaccines being given and once again said, “how can we serve?”. Jeff Emanuel, Director of the Columbia Montour Chamber Foundation connected them with Ann Mooney, Improvement Optimization Specialist and coordinator of the Hughes Center Vaccine site. She said the staff was running on K-Cups. Brad and JoAnn Bason said, we can do that. Their staff loaded up 100 fresh K-Cups and labeled them with their “I Am a Warrior on the Front Line” to honor the Front Line Heroes working, and individuals getting the vaccine. This brew and idea began at the start of the pandemic to honor those working the front lines and also to generate funds for the local foodbank. The response from the staff was overwhelming while distributing the K-Cups and thanking them. Brad and Jeff were so inspired by the efficiency, compassion, hope, and dedication that were on display at the vaccine site. It was wonderful to see the efforts and progress in fighting this crazy virus by the healthcare workers and those getting the vaccine.
Front Line Healthcare workers could use your encouragement to help keep them running, in case the caffeine runs out. To send them a note to say thanks or just encourage them to keep going, go to the Geisinger Thank you, heroes page.
Remember when it is your turn and you are able- be willing and get the shot.
The state Senate unanimously voted in favor of legislation last week that contains more than $900 million in financial aid to Pennsylvanians impacted by COVID-19, with most of those dollars provided by the federal government’s latest round of COVID-19 relief funding.
An amendment to S.B. 109 contained a $145 million grant program to help small businesses in the hospitality industry that have been financially impacted due to the pandemic. Local economic development agencies would administer the program and employers would be able to access up to $50,000 in financial relief. Priority will be given to businesses that have not already received a loan or grant from the federal government or state, those who were subject to closure by the emergency declarations and those who can demonstrate a revenue reduction of at least 50 percent for the affected time period.
To pay for the grant program, S.B. 109 included a proposal from Gov. Wolf to transfer $145 million from the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund, which is financed by the businesses community and provides workers’ compensation benefits in the event an insurance carrier becomes insolvent. The bill stipulates that the transfer must be repaid by July 1, 2029 or within 180 days of the federal government providing a flexible stimulus allocation to Pennsylvania.
The bulk of the money in the version of S.B. 109 that has cleared the Senate – around $569 million – will go toward rental and utility assistance for residents in all 67 counties. In addition, nearly $200 million will go toward ensuring that educational institutions receive resources to address COVID-19 related issues.
The bill now awaits consideration in the House.
Columbia County and the Town of Bloomsburg have both declared emergency disasters due to the winter storm. In order to assist business owners and residents that live on Main Street (from West to East) and East Street (from Main to 5th Streets) the Town is requesting that snow from sidewalks be shoveled into the parking area by Thursday, February 4th at 3 a.m. The Town’s Public Works Department has asked PennDOT not to plow parking areas onto the sidewalks. The road crew will remove the snow from the parking area.
From McKonly & Asbury
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) has been overlooked…that is until the latest COVID-19 Relief Bill passed in December 2020. This latest bill provides an immediate tax savings opportunity for many businesses and nonprofit organizations but many are still unaware of the credit’s expanded scope and more generous credit amounts.
New for 2021, taxpayers can apply for a credit against expected payroll taxes for the first and second quarter of the year. The result is an immediate opportunity for those who qualify.
We encourage you to visit our ERC page at: 2021 Employee Retention Credit. Here you’ll learn more about the Employee Retention Credit, what changed in 2021, and how you can get an analysis started to uncover the savings.
As always, the McKonly & Asbury team is here to help. We stand ready to review your business, determine eligibility, and the amount of potential savings. Visit our ERC page today and a team member will be happy to assist!
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced beginning Friday, February 5th, a regional drive-thru testing clinic will be held in Columbia County at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Fort McClure Blvd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.
Testing will be available daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM starting Friday, February 5th through Tuesday, February 9th.
Up to 450 patients can be tested per day. Mid-nasal passage swab PCR tests will be performed. Testing is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is completely free to all patients. Patients must be ages three and older and are not required to show symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested. No appointment is necessary. Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID or insurance card. Registration will also be completed on-site. The turnaround time for testing results is two to seven days after testing.
Individuals who are tested should self-isolate while they await test results. For those individuals who live with other people, they should self-isolate in a private room and use a private bathroom if possible. Whoever else lives in the home with the individual awaiting test results should also stay at home. The department has additional instructions for individuals waiting for a COVID-19 test result. Individuals who test positive will receive a phone call from AMI while individuals who test negative will receive a secured-PDF emailed to them from AMI.
For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.
Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty Donates to AGAPE
From Left to Right: AGAPE Executive Director, Eileen Chapman, stands with Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty’s Dorothy Rhone, broker owner; Sue Barchik, broker owner; Ruth Killian, Realtor, and Cary Smith, Realtor.
Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty recently donated $4,000 to AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community. The realtors collected $100 from each of their closings in December.
NEPIRC & IRC Network to Host Free Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers Webinar
In response to industry inquiries, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network will host a no-cost “Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers” webinar for manufacturing firms of all sizes on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The live interactive webinar will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams and advance registration is required.
The webinar will be moderated by NEPIRC and the featured presenter will be James Devine, a partner of Cipriani & Werner – a nationwide legal firm that specializes in representing employers in this niche aspect of HR and employment law. Among other topics, the event will cover the legal ramifications of mandating vaccination for employees, how to address the concerns of workers opposed to vaccination, the extent to which employers can disclose the vaccination status of co-workers and similar topics.
Manufacturing sector managers, supervisors, HR professionals and executives desiring to register for the event should email CLICK HERE to immediately register. While the event is free to attend, electronic “seating” is limited to 250 attendees.
On January 26th, the Chamber and McKonly & Asbury co-hosted a webinar to help businesses and non-profit organizations understand renewed Federal COVID-19 relief programs. McKonly & Asbury partners David Blain and Mark Heath discussed updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Employee Retention Tax Credit. Employers are now able to take advantage of both programs if they meet the criteria and are encouraged to explore both options. Details on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance have not yet been finalized.
If you were unable to attend the webinar, a recording is available on YouTube.