By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
Phasing Out COVID-19 Related Business Restrictions in May
The state has announced May 1 and May 19, 2021 will be target dates for phasing out business restrictions in Connecticut, assuming COVID-19 incidence rates drop and vaccination rates continue to see success.
On May 1:
- Business curfews will be moved back to midnight, with outdoor restrictions lifted, including alcohol sales without food allowed and an end of table size limits.
On May 19:
- All remaining business restrictions will end, with the Department of Public Health issuing recommendations for safe operation of indoor and large outdoor events. Indoor masking will continue.
SBA Announces Official Restaurant Revitalization Guidelines
After more than a year of restauranteurs being impacted by the pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the official application and guidelines for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The $28.6 billion RRF was established by the American Rescue Plan. It was designed to administer funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants. SBA may provide funding up to $5 million per location; the minimum award is $1,000. Details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide are available here. The official application launch date has yet to be determined by the SBA, but interested applicants can prepare their applications in advance. For the first 21 days after the application becomes available, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by veterans, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The FCC has developed the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will provide qualifying households with a credit of $50 per month for broadband internet. Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut households qualify, including those receiving free or reduced-price school lunch, Pell Grants and Lifeline as well as those who have experienced substantial loss of income due to COVID-19, helping reduce financial burdens and allowing for increased benefits from remote learning, telehealth and state services. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet or desktop computer from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price. This program will become widely available in the near future, and I will provide updates when its start date is established; in the meantime, please click here for more details.
More Details Released on Federal Programs Approved
Through American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Democrats in Congress and signed into law by President Biden, contains support and financial relief for millions of Americans. More details on support continue to be released; here’s some of the most recent information made available. The Connecticut Department of Labor recently made available new updates on how the American Rescue Plan will benefit the state.
State Small Business Credit Initiative
The Plan contains $10 billion to fund the State Small Business Credit Initiative, funding small business credit support and investment programs for state, territory and Tribal government. Connecticut will receive just over $100 million in support through this program.
American Rescue Plan Details for Farmers
The United States Department of Agriculture has released details for farmers seeking more details about relief available to them through the American Rescue Plan. Those in need can learn what types of loans are available for payments under the Plan, how they can receive debt payments and how they can apply for aid. The FAQ can be accessed here.
Homeowner Assistance Fund Details
The American Rescue Plan contains support for the Homeowner Assistance Fund, providing just under $10 billion in federal aid for our country’s most vulnerable homeowners. This fund will work to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacement of homeowners experiencing hardship after January 21, 2020. The federal Treasury Department has released information on the fund and its functions; that information can be accessed here.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Details
The American Rescue Plan includes $25 billion in assistance for households unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be distributed to those in need with at least 90 percent of funds required to be used for direct financial assistance for rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy cost arrears and other housing expenses. Remaining funds will support housing stability such as case management. Eligible households will include those where at least one individual qualified for unemployment or saw reduced income or increased financial hardship due to COVID-19; those at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity; and those with a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. For more information, click here.
