Friends and Neighbors,
Session is coming to a close and we are working together to pass important policy before the constitutional adjournment date which is May 18th this year. Below are a few updates from this week.
Stay-at-home Order
On Wednesday night, Governor Walz delivered news that he is relaxing the stay-at-home order and allowing some “non-essential” businesses like retail shops to open if they follow safety guidelines and limit their capacity to 50%. While we still hope the Governor will continue to turn his dials to allow more people to get back to work, I am grateful that he is beginning to listen to the Senate Majority and the people of Minnesota. As we have said from the beginning – striking a balance and working together is the only way to emerge from this pandemic successfully! We will continue to develop creative ideas for businesses, continue fighting for our freedoms to be completely restored, and keep striving to reopen Minnesota!
Business grants
The Minnesota Senate passed legislation to appropriate $60 million for small businesses in crisis as a result of the stay at home orders and coronavirus pandemic. The bill was passed with bipartisan support. The bill takes $57.6 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund and $2.4 million from the Small Business Guarantee Loan program to provide relief grants to Minnesota small businesses.
Every day, the closures mandated by the Governor bring many small businesses one step closer to closing permanently. We hope these grants will carry many of them out of these tough economic times and back to prosperity. We will continue working on solutions to protect our mom and pop shops as we navigate these times together!
A business is eligible for the grants if it has a brick and mortar location in Minnesota, is owned by a permanent resident, employs 50 or fewer full-time staff, and can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. If any business meets all of those requirements, they will be eligible to receive grants of up to $10,000 to use for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses.
The bill designates $30 million to be distributed to businesses in Greater Minnesota and $30 million for distribution in the seven-county metropolitan area. At least $18 million of the funds would be designated for microbusinesses of 6 or fewer employees. A minimum of $15 million must be awarded to minority-owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses.
Wright County
Wright County is updating their website every Friday to share details on COVID-19 cases in the area and share helpful resources. You can visit the website here: http://www.co.wright.mn.us/945/Coronavirus-COVID-19.
I pray you all are doing well and staying safe. Be assured that legislative work continues, and we will make the most of the remaining days in session. Please feel free to contact my office at 651-296-5981 or sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn.
Sincerely,
Bruce
Keep in Touch
Senator Bruce Anderson
3209 Minnesota Senate Building
95 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55155