SBA Reaches 200 Billion Dollars Milestone in Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to Small Businesses and Non-Profits

SBA Reaches $200 Billion Milestone in Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to Small Businesses and Non-Profits | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: February 12, 2021)

Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration reached a milestone in the success of the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which has provided U.S. small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses a total of $200 billion in emergency funding. “Following the enactment of COVID-19 emergency legislation, the SBA has now provided more than 3.7 million small businesses employing more than 20 million people with $200 billion through the unprecedented COVID-19 EIDL loan program,” Acting Administrator Tami Perriello said. “SBA remains committed to helping small businesses recover from the unprecedented economic effects of COVID-19.” SBA is still accepting COVID-1...

U.S. Small Business Administration and Lenders take more steps to improve Paycheck Protection Program | site |



Loan data shows 1.3 million loans and significant increase to underserved entrepreneurs


Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration and lenders are taking more strides to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so that small businesses can access much needed PPP funds to persevere through the pandemic, recover, and build back better. The Administration is working with the Agency to increase equitable access to underserved small businesses, to assure the integrity of the program, and to promote rapid and efficient distribution of funds.

This week, the SBA hit a major milestone of approving $104 billion of PPP funds to more than 1.3 million small businesses. Highlights from this round include:

• Reaching more of the smallest businesses; 82% of all loans going to businesses

...

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Starks announces Future of Work Panel on Black-owned Businesses and the Digital Divide| site |


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: February 8, 2021)

Washington, February 8, 2021 - - On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will virtually host Future of Work: Black Owned Businesses and the Digital Divide. The continued fight for social justice and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us an unparalleled opportunity to focus our efforts on the fundamental values of fairness and equity as we rebuild our economy and workforce for the future. This unprecedented crisis has also demonstrated that economic opportunity and access to affordable, reliable broadband are inextricably tied. The policies necessary to bridge the digital divide must center the most marginalized, including Black-owned businesses and Black workers who...

The U.S. Small Business Administration takes Steps to Improve First Draw Paycheck Protection Program Loan Review | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 26, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration is taking steps to improve the First Draw Paycheck Protection Program loan review so that small businesses have as much time as possible to access much needed PPP funds. The Biden-Harris Administration is focused on ensuring small businesses receive the support they need to keep their doors open and continue to employ millions of Americans across the country. The Administration is working with the Agency to identify immediate solutions to address eligibility, compliance, integrity, and promote transparency. While reviewing the initial draw of PPP loans, anomalies – mostly data mismatches and eligibility concerns – were identified in approximately 4.7% of the...

U.S. Small Business Administration Partners with National Science and Technology Council to Award $330,000 in Prizes in New Lab to Market Competition | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 19, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration partnered with the National Science and Technology Council’s Lab-to-Market subcommittee to award $330,000 in prizes to the winners of the new Lab-to-Market (L2M) Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem Prize Competition.

The L2M prize competition recognizes the most impactful organizations, programs and ideas that support the research and development (R&D) innovation ecosystems, particularly those focused on underrepresented communities and pandemic responses. The competition’s goal is to encourage entrepreneurship and inclusive, sustainable growth by developing and commercializing technology to improve...

U.S. Small Business Administration Proposes Rule to Eliminate Regulations that Exclude Faith-Based Organizations from Seven SBA Programs | site |



Public Comments Due by February 18, 2021


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 19, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration invites public comment on a proposed rule designed to remove regulatory provisions that exclude certain faith-based organizations from seven business loan and disaster assistance programs. These programs include the Intermediary Lending Program (ILP), Business Loan programs (7(a), Microloan and 504 programs), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) program and Immediate Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP). Because these provisions exclude otherwise eligible applicants based on their religious status, they violate their cons...

U.S. Small Business Administration's Emerging Leaders Initiative to Help Growing Entrepreneurs Opens for 2021 Recruitment | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 15, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the launch of the 2021 Emerging Leaders initiative for executives of small businesses poised for growth in underserved markets. Local area recruitment for the 2021 training cycle is currently underway at designated SBA District Offices. Interested small business owners can learn more regarding eligibility, how to apply, class schedules and locations at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders , or by contacting their local SBA District Office. “I am proud of Emerging Leaders’ success to date, and the impact the training has made in helping to take small businesses from across the country to the next level,” said Allen Gutierrez, Associate Administrator of the SBA�...

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Recipients of Tibbetts Awards for Demonstrating Significant Economic and Social Impact from R&D Funding | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 14, 2021)

Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced 38 companies, seven organizations and 14 individuals as the winners of the prestigious Tibbetts Award for their accomplishments in creating cutting-edge technologies. The Tibbetts Awards, named after Roland Tibbetts, the founder of the SBIR Program, honors these awardees for the exceptional successes they achieved through SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. “For nearly four decades, the SBIR and STTR programs have been assisting small businesses with launching ideas from conception to market. The Tibbetts Awards highlight our nation’s ...

U.S. Small Business Administration Re-Opening Paycheck Protection Program to Small Lenders on Friday, January 15 and All Lenders on Tuesday, January 19 | site |



Lenders with $1 Billion or Less in Assets Will be Able to Submit First and Second Draw PPP Applications on Friday – Continuing Dedicated Access for Community-Based Lenders


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release: January 13, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 am ET. The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA. Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated P...

U.S. Small Business Administration Re-Opens Paycheck Protection Program to Community Financial Institutions First | site |



Community Financial Institutions get dedicated access starting today



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: January 11, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal today at 9 am ET. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these concerns.

When the PPP loan portal re-opened today, it initially accepted First Draw PPP loan applications from participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs),...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas Visits FEMA COVID-19 Vaccination Facility in Philadelphia | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: March 2, 2021)

Washington - - Today, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Community Vaccination Center (CVC) facility at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, scheduled to open tomorrow and expected to vaccinate up to 6,000 people per day. Secretary Mayorkas thanked and met with the Mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, and representatives from other partner organizations including the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and the Department of Defense. “On the first day of his administration, President Biden challenged FEMA to stand up 100 Federal...

Premium Reductions coming to Enrollees of Veterans’ Group Life Insurance | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release dated: March 1, 2021)

Washington - - All Veterans insured under Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) will receive a reduction in premiums effective April 1, ensuring that VGLI remains a cost effective option for Veterans and transitioning uniform service members who choose Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) insurance products.

Premiums for VGLI will be reduced by an average of 7% across all age groups — allowing separating service members to continue their Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage level as a renewable term insurance policy after leaving service. “The reduction in VGLI premiums will make life insurance even more affordable for Veterans,” said Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Thomas Murphy. “Offering our Veterans better rates for their l...

Tax Time Guide: How to do Taxes for Free and get Refunds Fast | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] news release dated: February 23, 2021)

Washington - - - During this tax season when many people are trying to stay safe at home, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers about ways to do their taxes for free online or with help from volunteers.


Free File is easy, fast, safe and secure

Taxpayers who want to prepare and file their tax returns electronically can use IRS Free File. IRS Free File offers brand-name tax software for taxpayers with an income of $72,000 or less in 2020. Taxpayers who earned more can use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. Taxpayers can get started at IRS.gov/freefile . IRS Free File also lets taxpayers get an automatic extension of time to file if they need it. Free File is also a way to get a refund fast. Filin...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: March 2, 2021 | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration press release dated: March 2, 2021)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the following actions taken in its ongoing response effort to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• The agency has updated its FDA COVID-19 Response At-A-Glance Summary, which provides a quick look at facts, figures and highlights on the FDA's response efforts.

• The agency issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Quidel for its QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test for at-home use with a prescription. The Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test is an antigen test that detects proteins from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from a nasal swab sample and gives a result in 10-15 minutes without needing to send a sample to a laboratory for analysis. The test is authorized for prescription at-home use with a self-collected nasal swab sample

...

U.S. Department of the Treasury Sanctions Russian Officials in Response to the Novichok Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release dated: March 2, 2021) Washington - - Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) joined the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce in imposing sanctions in response to Russia’s poisoning and subsequent imprisonment of Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny. Specifically, OFAC designated seven Russian government officials: Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Aleksandr Bortnikov (Bortnikov), Chief of the Presidential Policy Directorate Andrei Yarin (Yarin), First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko (Kiriyenko), Deputy Minister of Defense Aleksey Krivoruchko (Krivoruchko), Deputy Minister of Defense Pavel Popov (Popov), Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) dire...

US Department of Labor Guidance to State UI Programs expands Eligibility for Workers who Declined Work due to Pandemic Safety Concerns | site |


Eligible unemployed workers will receive benefits retroactively


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Labor press release dated: February 25, 2021)

Washington - - For many of America’s workers, choosing between unsafe employment and refusing work to avoid the risk of coronavirus infection has serious consequences. Too often, those who do not return to work or accept a job offer over concerns about workplace exposure lose their state unemployment benefits.

In response to a directive from President Biden, the U.S. Department of Labor is issuing guidance to state unemployment insurance agencies that expands the number of instances in which workers may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. “Our nation cannot afford to continue compounding the already...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Additional Biden-Harris Administration Staff Appointments | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: March 2, 2021) Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional Biden-Harris Administration appointments, building on an experienced team committed to President Biden’s mission to end the COVID-19 pandemic, expand affordable health care, and advance equity. “President Biden’s team at HHS is growing quickly and continues to work tirelessly to end the COVID pandemic and address our many health challenges,” said HHS Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie. “Our appointees will work hand-in-hand with our dedicated team of career officials throughout HHS to protect and expand quality, affordable care to all Americans.” These new appointees join tens of thousands of career officials throughout the agency, wh...

U.S. Office of Personnel Management Announces Return of the Presidential Rank Awards | site |


OPM Calls for 2021 Presidential Rank Awards Nominations


(Information contained in U.S. Office of Personnel Management press release dated: March 3, 2021)

Washington, D.C. - - Today, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced a call for nominations for the 2021 Presidential Rank Awards. The awards – which recognize exceptional performance by members of the career Senior Executive Service (SES) and Senior Career Employees (SL/ST) – will resume this year after having been canceled in 2020. The resumption of the Presidential Rank Awards reflects the Biden Administration’s commitment to supporting the federal workforce and recognizing federal employees who serve with distinction. “The Presidential Rank Awards have a rich history of awarding well-deserved individuals in Federal career service,” said Ronald Klain, White House Chief...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Dr. Dewayne Goldmon as Senior Advisor, Racial Equity, and Andy Green as Senior Advisor, Fair and Competitive Markets | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] press release dated: March 1, 2021)

Washington, March 1, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced two senior appointments today.

USDA announced the appointment of Dr. Dewayne Goldmon as Senior Advisor for Racial Equity to the Secretary of Agriculture. Goldmon has served for the past year as Executive Director of the National Black Growers Council (NBGC), a Washington, D.C. based organization that advocates to improve the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Black row crop farmers. He has more than 30 years of experience in the agricultural sector and is also a farmer in southeast Arkansas. Before joining the NGBC, he helped to form the organization and served as its initial advisor. �...

Labor Movement Fighting Anti-Asian Racism in All Forms | site |



(Information contained in AFL-CIO press released dated: March 5, 2021)

The continued anti-Asian racism that has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic is a stain on our nation. The labor movement again condemns this vile behavior and will continue to fight these injustices. “The entire labor movement is appalled by the continued rise in anti-Asian racism across the country. Acts of physical violence, yelling of racial slurs and intimidation tactics used against our Asian American friends, family and communities must be called out and stopped,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Anti-Asian rhetoric is only hurting our nation more during this pandemic, and we all must stand up and condemn in the strongest terms possible that racism in any form is unacceptable.” Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance National President Monica Thammarath stated, “It is not ri...