Dear Neighbors,
Today, I wanted to pass along news that local small-business owners who are facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak are now able to seek relief through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance Program.
This is an extremely difficult time for folks across the state, nation, and world. Please be sure to buy local and support our small businesses. These small businesses are the economic backbone of many small communities and they not only provide goods and services for all of us, but they provide good-paying jobs as well. Let’s all do our part to support them!
Minnesota is now among states where the federal SBA’s low-interest loans are available to cover small-business operating expenses after a disaster declaration was issued.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) indicates this program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits. These loans can go toward working capital to meet need including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long-term repayment options of up to a maximum of 30 years are available at 3.75% interest, and at 2.75% interest for non-profits. Businesses can defer payments for the first four months and it is recommended owners apply online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
Loans can be directly dispersed within three weeks. Businesses will need to gather their tax statements from last year, in addition to providing financial information to show current and expected business losses.
Questions can be directed to the SBA Hotline at 1-800-659-2955. More information from Minnesota’s DEED can be found at https://mn.gov/deed/.
Hospital Donations Needed
Hospitals across the nation and here in Minnesota are running out of important personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gowns, that help keep them safe while diagnosing and treating patients.
Because of this nationwide shortage, the Minnesota Nurses Association, local hospitals, and others are calling for donations of factory-made N95 ear loop masks or for volunteers to create CDC-approved, reusable face masks.
Below is a list of current hospitals that are seeking additional resources for donation. I am in contact with our local hospitals to see if they require materials and will be passing along information as it relates to them in the future.
Masks can be safely donated starting Sunday, March 22 through April 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital – West Health, 2805 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN
- Buffalo Hospital, 303 Catlin St, Buffalo, MN
- Cambridge Medical Center, 701 S Dellwood St, Cambridge, MN
- District One Hospital, 200 State Ave, Faribault, MN
- Mercy Hospital – Mercy Campus, Coon Rapids, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN
- Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, Fridley, 550 Osborne Rd, Fridley, MN
- New Ulm Medical Center, 1324 5th St N, New Ulm, MN
- Owatonna Hospital, 2250 NW 26th St, Owatonna, MN
- Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Rd, Hastings, MN
- River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E Division St, River Falls, WI
- St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave, Shakopee, MN
- United Hospital, 333 Smith Ave N, St. Paul, MN
- Courage Kenny Rehabilitation, Golden Valley, 3915 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN
Please be sure to remain in your car when you arrive to donate. A staff member will come to you to accept your donation.
Be sure to thank a doctor or nurse today! They are putting their own safety on the line to treat and diagnose Minnesotans.
Red Cross Blood Donations
The American Red Cross needs your help! The Red Cross faces a severe shortage because nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Blood drives account for more than 80 percent of blood that the Red Cross collects, so if you are healthy and eligible to donate, please visit RedCrossBlood.org, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule an appointment.
Staying in Touch
Please continue to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. I can be reached on my cell phone at 701-361-1909 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Be well,
Jeff