In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

April 6, 2020

Federal Updates

• The Federal Reserve is working to ensure capital is available for large and smaller companies to keep the financial markets functioning during this crisis.
• Congressional leadership have begun discussions on timing and content for 4^th relief bill, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicating the bill should fix anything left out of the CARES Act, and support our healthcare systems’ efforts to end the spread of COVID-19.

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State/Local Updates

• Governor Abbott issued a statewide order that only “essential services” could remain open across Texas and attempted to clarify which businesses were deemed essential.  The Governor’s order supersedes any local or regional order that was more strict with regard to limiting businesses.  Shortly after Gov. Abbott’s announcement, Collin County Judge Chris Hill announced he has rescinded his executive order previously declaring all businesses essential and the City of Plano cancelled its meeting to consider its own version of a stay-at-home order.
• Governor Abbott also announced that all Texas schools would remain closed until May 4^th.
• The Texas State Supreme Court has extended its moratorium on residential evictions until April 30.

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Join Congressman Taylor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

With various programs and resources available, its important Collin County businesses have the most up-to-date information about the tools at their disposal.

The United States Chamber is working closely with the White House and federal agencies to inform and equip businesses with the most important and current information so that they may prepare their business for the near and long-term impact resulting from the economic effects of the pandemic.

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm CST

To participate in the event, simply register at the link below. Upon receiving your RSVP, Congressman Taylor’s office will email you credentials and instructions to access the webinar.

To help facilitate an efficient event with as much information provided as possible, please submit your questions prior to the webinar by emailing your questions to RepVanTaylor@mail.house.gov.

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

April 3, 2020

Small Business Administration

Starting today, April 3, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans thanks to the CARES Act. To start your application today please visit sba.gov/disaser.

Apply now: sba.gov/disaster
Learn more: sba.gov/coronavirus

Collin Small Business Development Center CARES Act Small Business Assistance

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

April 2, 2020

City of Plano Town Hall

Join us for a virtual Town Hall focusing on COVID-19 Thursday, April 2 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Participate in 3 ways:

• Submit questions on the City of Plano Facebook event.
• Send questions via Twitter with #PlanoTownHall.
• Call 888-409-5380.

Watch Town Hall live here on the City of Plano Facebook page.

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Message from the City of Plano 

Update on the Governor’s Order and Essential vs Non-Essential:
The COVID-19 crisis is ever-evolving. In just three weeks, it’s brought tremendous change and uncertainty. We understand it’s been challenging to deal with rapidly-changing information and instructions.

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

April 1, 2020

Update from the Small Business Administration  
Due to the CARES Act, small businesses and non-profits can get up to a $10,000 advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan even if previous applications were declined or are still pending.

Apply now: sba.gov/disaster
Learn more: sba.gov/coronavirus

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

March 31, 2020

The U.S. Senate has shared a Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act.

Click here to learn more. 

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Governor Abbott just issued a new executive order extending social distancing guidelines through April 30, the closure of schools through May 4, and defining essential services based on the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/03/31/texas-gov-greg-abbott-extends-social-distancing-measures-through-april-30-closes-schools-until-may-4/

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Texas Education Agency Coronavirus Guidance 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues to work with the Office of the Governor, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate and plan the state’s response to COVID-19. If you or your employees are looking for updates on Texas schools click here.

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

March 30, 2020

President Donald Trump extended the federal guidelines for social distancing and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people through April 30^th.

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A federal stimulus package, called The CARES Act, was signed into law by President Trump on Friday, March 27^th.  The $2 trillion economic stimulus package was the largest relief package in history and includes:

• Direct payments of up to $1200 to individuals under certain income thresholds and $500 for each child under 18;
• Extended unemployment insurance funds in the amount of $250 billion to offer unemployed workers an additional $600 per week for four months;
• Allows employers to delay the payment of their portion of 2020 payroll taxes;
• Waives the 10% withdrawal penalty for distributions up to $100,000 from retirement funds for coronavirus-related purposes;
• Increased the 401(k) loan limit from $50,000 to $100,000;
• $350 billion for small businesses to prevent layoffs and closures while workers have to stay home.  Companies with 500 employees or fewer that maintain their payroll during the coronavirus can receive up to 8 weeks of cashflow assistance;
• $500 billion for large corporations to provide loans, loan guarantees and other investments.  Airlines are set to receive $50 billion.
• $100 billion for hospitals and healthcare, and $40 billion for personal and protective equipment for healthcare workers, testing supplies, accelerated Medicare payments and supporting the CDC.
• All testing and potential vaccines for COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to patients.

Looking for guidance on Coronavirus Emergency Loan? Click here for a review from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued new travel restrictions into Texas, requiring a 14-day self-quarantine for anyone flying to our state from Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Washington or New Orleans, as well as those driving from Louisiana.  Additionally, Governor Abbott announced the state’s first ad hoc health care facility to be constructed at the Dallas Convention Center.  The makeshift hospital will have the capacity for 250 beds with the potential to expand to more than 1,000.

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Judge Chris Hill ordered Collin County residents to stay home except for essential activities, including continuing to work.  Judge Hill declared that all Collin County businesses are essential and may remain open so long as they continue to practice social distancing guidelines and the bans enacted by the State, including the closing of bars and restaurants.

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Texas Comptroller Glenn Hagar told lawmakers that the general revenue for the state budget and the Rainy Day Fund balance will be drastically lower – possibly by billions of dollars.

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Small business loans are available through the SBA, but officials urge businesses to apply sooner rather than later.

Click here to apply now.

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Upcoming Plano City Council Meeting
How to Speak at the Council Meetings via Videoconference:

This evening’s Plano City Council meeting will be by videoconference. The Council Meeting regular session begins at 7 p.m. It is preceded at 5 p.m. by the Executive Session, which is followed by the Preliminary Open Meeting. Review the agenda on the city council agenda webpage: share.plano.gov/CCAgendas.

To speak at the Council Meeting, registration is required at share.plano.gov/March30Meeting.

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

March 27, 2020

A message from Governor Abbott

Yesterday the Texas Health and Human Services Commission submitted a waiver request to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid that, if approved, would ensure Texans on Medicaid continue to have their routine needs met, even as the state responds to COVID-19.

Find more information on the waiver HERE.

A message from the Texas Association of Business

Hope rises in Texas as Senate cuts deal on $2 trillion stimulus
After days of negotiation between congressional Republicans and Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Senate leaders announced early Wednesday they had a deal, with hopes of passing the legislation today and getting checks out to Americans and loans to business and industry within weeks.

Read more HERE.

A message from the Texas Workforce Commission

Taking care of your workers during COVID-19 is our top priority.
Mass Claims program streamlines the unemployment benefit claims process for employers faced with either temporary or permanent layoffs. Employers can submit basic worker information on behalf of their employees to initiate claims for unemployment benefits. You can get started 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In order to keep you informed on the evolving impact of COVID-19 on our local community, the Plano Chamber will be publishing updates every weekday as the Daily Business Bulletin. We will share the top news items that you need to read to stay up-to-date on important health, community, and business issues as they develop.

March 26, 2020

Governor Greg Abbott announced today that visitors flying in to Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Orleans are now required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/26/texas-orders-self-quarantine-air-travelers-new-york-and-new-orleans/