COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID-19

The City of Ramsey, in collaboration with Anoka County, has consolidated resources below to help ready and recover your business and workforce from the impacts of COVID-19. For general information for both businesses and employees affected by the COVID-19 virus implications and precautions, please visit the following page https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/. If you have specific questions that cannot be addressed, or if there are specific industry challenges, please use one of the contacts below:

City of Ramsey Economic Development
Sean Sullivan
ssullivan@cityoframsey.com
763-433-9868  

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Minnesota Executive Order 21-11
Adjusting Limitations on Certain Activities and Taking Steps Forward   

Executive Order 21-11 changes will take effect March 15, 2021 at 12:00 noon. Read full Executive Order here. Here is a summary of the easing of restrictions that went into effect:

  • Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
  • Youth sports: Pod size increasing to 50 for outdoor activities.
  • Religious services: Remove occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
  • Celebrations: Follow venue guidance.
  • Bars and restaurants: Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
  • Salons/barbers: Removing the occupancy limit, but social distancing is required.
  • Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people.
  • Entertainment venues: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.

Minnesota Mask Requirement:  Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 to Keep Our Economy Open

As of July 25, 2020, per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-81, people in Minnesota are required to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. Read the MN DEED article here. Read face covering requirement and order here.

MN DEED Guide for Small Businesses Needing Financial Help (March 31, 2020)COVID-19-Help-for-Business

View this summary guide from MN Department of Economic Development to help small businesses quickly see which programs might be right for their situation. (Note that many of these programs have closed or no longer have funds)

MN DEED Guidance for Safely Re-Opening Minnesota Businesses #StaysafeMN

View this summary page from MN Department of Economic Development for industry-specific guidance documents for businesses to aide in the development of its COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to safely re-open.

CARES Act

For more information about the CARES Act, please review the following documents:
Title I – Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act
Additional information on Keeping American Workers Paid & Employer Act
Title II – Assistance for American Workers, Businesses and Families
Title IV – Economic Stabilization & Assistance to Severely Distressed Sectors of US Economy
Healthcare Provisions
Employer Provisions

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Critical Sector Work Exemption (Essential Businesses)

For critical business identification, essential designation and more, go to
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/.
After utilizing the resources found in the above link and you still have questions about whether a business is eligible for the Critical Sector work exemption please contact CriticalSectors@state.mn.us. 

MN Executive Order 20-48: Critical Sector Workers Definitions and Guidance Document

Rapid Response

Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will discuss your needs with you, help avert layoffs if possible, and provide services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, visit DEED’s Rapid Response page or call 1-866-213-1422.

Grants & Loans

MN DEED Small Business Emergency Loan Program (Program Currently out of Money for Metro Area)money
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is offering emergency loans for small businesses that closed directly or indirectly from the Governor’s Executive Orders 20-04 & 20-08. Qualifying businesses are eligible for loans from $2,500 to $35,000. Loans are zero interest, must be paid back monthly over five (5) years and the first payment will be deferred six (6) months with potentially partial forgiveness. For more information or to apply, go to https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/peacetime/ 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) ***Applications Window Still Open***
US Small Business Administration is issuing low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) For more information or to apply, go to EIDL Application

Paycheck Protection Program - PPP (Program Closed August 8, 2020)
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is an SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. PPP Program Details

Bank Loans 
Contact your local bank partner to see if they are allowing payment deferrals.

Grants
Many corporations and non-profits have developed grant programs to assist companies affected by COVID-19. Contact Sean Sullivan (ssullivan@cityoframsey.com) or Jacquel Hajder (Jacquel.Hajder@co.anoka.mn.us) for the latest grant opportunities.

The City will continue to look at local alternatives to supplement the efforts of County, State and Federal Resources. 

Workforce 

Unemployment Insurance Information for Employers
On March 16, Governor Walz issued an executive order ensuring workers affected by COVID-19 have full access to unemployment benefits. The order also relieves taxpaying employers of benefit charges associated with COVID-19. This means a company’s unemployment tax rate will not increase if your workers collect unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. If your workers apply for unemployment benefits, DEED will let you know. For more information about unemployment insurance for employers, go to: https://www.uimn.org/employers/employer-account/news-updates/covid-19.jsp

Shared Work Program (Alternative to Layoffs)weld
Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Shared Work Program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent. Learn more at: https://www.uimn.org/employers/alternative-layoff/index.jsp 

Anoka County Dislocated Worker Program (For permanent layoffs)
Our Dislocated Worker program offers free services to help individuals find suitable employment and help take the stress and uncertainty out of the process. Workers may be eligible for this program if they are out of work through no fault of their own, are eligible for unemployment insurance, and are unlikely to return to your previous occupation or industry. Learn more at: https://anokacounty.us/dw

Health Insurance Options for Laid-off Workers
Anytime a Minnesotan loses health coverage, including employer-sponsored coverage, they are eligible to enroll in coverage through MNsure.org via a special enrollment period for the 60 days following the loss of coverage. Additionally, if someone is eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, enrollment is available at all times, regardless of when they might have last had coverage. Details at https://www.uimn.org/applicants/help-support/comm-organizations/healthcare.jsp

State & Federal Tax Assistance 

U.S. Treasury Department
The Treasury Department and IRS are extending the due date for Federal income tax filings & payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Visit https://home.treasury.gov/coronavirus for the latest updates.

MN Department of Revenue
Minnesota has also extended the due date for business and personal income tax filing & payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Visit https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/businesses for the latest updates.

Sales Tax Payment Extension for Eligible Businesses
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is granting a Sales and Use Tax grace period extension for businesses identified in Executive Order 20-04. During this time the department will not assess penalties or interest. For more information, visit their website at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sales-and-use-tax.

Other Resources

Central hub where individuals and families can access information on finding food, paying housing bills, or other essential services: Dial 2-1-1, 651-291-0211 or 1-800-543-7709 or Text ‘MNCOVID’ to 898211