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Mississippi Shelter-In-Place Order

Governor Reeves signed Executive Order 1466 on Wednesday, April 1, establishing a statewide shelter-in-place order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi. The order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020 and shall remain in effect until 8 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020. The guidelines for the shelter-in-place are as follows:

Individuals are to stay at home except for the limited allowances in the executive order.
When outside of their homes, people must follow social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.
Evictions are suspended, though people are still required to pay any rent or make any mortgage payments.
All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations (e.g. payroll, health insurance, security) and enabling employees to work from home.
Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be cancelled or rescheduled.
Restaurants and bars may only remain open for drive-thru, curbside, and/or delivery service.
People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies, and working for an essential business.
- Click here to read what qualifies as an "essential business".
Individual outdoor recreation is encouraged, but not group recreation or activities such as soccer or basketball games.

Click here to read the full Shelter-In-Place Executive Order.

Click here to view all COVID-19 related Executive Orders.

Source: Mississippi Secretary of State's Office

Ways to File Your COVID-19 Unemployment Claims

Unemployment Insurance benefits claims can be filed online by clicking here, or by calling 662-256-2618 or 888-844-3577 from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.

If you are experiencing difficulty filing your Unemployment Insurance claim, you may contact your local WIN Job Center for assistance. WIN Job Center lobbies are currently closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Find your local WIN Job Center in the list below.

MDES NOW OFFERS A FILLABLE UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FORM. DOWNLOAD THE FORM TO FILL IT OUT AND SAVE IT TO YOUR DEVICE.

Once you have completed the form, please email it to: UIClaims@mdes.ms.gov or to your local WIN Job Center, Amory Job Center: AmoryJobCenter@mdes.ms.gov.

Do NOT email the form to BOTH the UIClaims email AND your local WIN Job center. Pick one or the other. Emailing your claim form to both will only cause delays in processing your claim.
If you have questions about your claim, email those questions to CV19@mdes.ms.gov. That email address is only for questions. Do NOT send your claim form to that address.
After you have filed your claim or emailed with a question, please wait 3 to 5 business days before contacting MDES to follow up.

Coronavirus Resources

Mississippi Department of Health Services

Mississippians are advised to take health precautions to prevent the possible transmission of disease, and stay in touch for the latest information on the situation in Mississippi. Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline (available 24/7): 877-978-6453. Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)

CoronavirusMS.Gov

See updates, latest news and more at www.coronavirus.ms.gov. Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline: For convenient answers to questions about COVID-19 call 877-978-6453 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Small Business Association (SBA)

All Mississippi businesses and non-profits that are severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. Small business owners can begin the process immediately and apply for assistance by visiting this link: sba.gov/disaster How to video from MSBDC with tips for applying for EIDL from SBA.

Mississippi Small Business Development Center

The Mississippi Small Business Development Center provides the entrepreneur with education and training opportunities which cover a wide range of business topics. Phone: 662-915-5001 https://www.mssbdc.org/ How to video from MSBDC with tips for applying for EIDL from SBA.

Coronavirus Tax Relief

The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. This page will be updated as new information is available. Coronavirus Tax Relief

(CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For other information about the COVID-19 virus, people should visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (https://www.coronavirus.gov) for health information.

U.S. Government Actions

Other information about actions being taken by the U.S. government is available at https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

Department of Treasury Updates

The Department of Treasury also has information available at Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know.

Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES)

File a claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits or complete yourweekly certification while saving time, money and gas. Reach us online anytime at mdes.ms.gov or to contact the Amory WIN Job Center by calling 662-256-2618 or 662-256-3948.

Mississippi Department of Revenue

The Department of Revenue is the primary agency for collecting tax revenues that support state and local governments in Mississippi. DOR.ms.gov State Income Tax Deadline Extended

Monroe Regional Hospital

Beginning March 25th, Monroe Regional Hospital will be offering a Drive Thru Clinic. This will be located at our Plaza Medical Office Building down the hill from the hospital. You will be triaged by a nurse outside under the covered drive thru. Depending on your need, symptoms or preference, you will be directed into the clinic or to a parking spot. Your provider will be able to come to you. For more info, call 662-369-2455 or follow them on Facebook.

North Mississippi Medical Center Gilmore-Amory

Information may be obtained by visiting North Mississippi Medical Center's website. Hand Washing and Sanitizer Fact Sheet

Monroe Journal

The Monroe Journal is a great resource to keep up with local news regarding COVID-19 and other community happenings. MonroeJournal.com

Work On Your Business When You Can’t Work In Your Business

The country recommended people stay in their homes; airlines are grounding flights, the state has implemented shutdowns on schools and entire industries. Your customers are being told to only leave for necessities; your employees are working from home, and you’re looking around an expanse of open space in what used to be a bustling business. What do you do when you can no longer function as the business you’ve always been? Use this time to work on your business, not in it. Click below to download your guide.

Mississippi Announces Support for Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced today that Mississippi workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits.

Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor and Governor Tate Reeves, MDES is modifying existing unemployment compensation rules to allow workers to file a claim for unemployment benefits who are affected based upon these measures below:

Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,

Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employers due to COVID-19 concerns,

Those who are diagnosed with COVID-19,

Or, those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.

To file an Unemployment Claim, visit the MDES website at mdes.ms.gov or call the MDES Contact Center at 1-888-844-3577.

Online filing is encouraged! A claim may be filed online at mdes.ms.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Contact Center will be open this weekend, March 21 and 22 and available to take calls between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, the contact center hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. On March 18, 2020, H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This document includes the summary of the following sections of the new law in chronological order of the bill.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Payment Protection Program (PPP) vs SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Please see the attached Comparison Chart for Payment Protection Program (PPP) vs SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). (more detail in text below)

We have several SBA approved lenders in Monroe County, so we encourage you to reach out to your local banker and accountant to help advise you on the best option for your business. Click here to access our Member SBA Certified Lenders, Member Financial Institutes and Member Accounting Firms.

Courtesy of our friends at Cadence Bank:

The CARES Act, which was passed by both houses in Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27th, has set aside $350 billion to help small businesses during this worldwide pandemic and economic downturn.

Under the act, the SBA 7(a) loan provision known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. For those borrowers that maintain their payrolls through the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward, these loans may be forgiven.

In addition to the PPP relief measure, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan [sba.gov] (EIDL) was also established to provide financial relief for small businesses. Unlike typical SBA-backed loans, interested borrowers should apply directly to the SBA for these funds, not through a bank.

Please note, in accordance with Section 1102 (a)(2)(Q) of the CARES Act, you may apply for both the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the SBA 7(a) loan. However, these loans cannot be used for the same purpose.

SBA EIDL Overview, Required Forms & Application

SBALoanProcessOverview

IRS-Form-4506T-Request-for-Transcript-of-Tax-Return

SBA-159D-Fee-Disclosure-Form-and-Compensation-Agreement

SBA-Form-5-Loan-Application

SBA-Form-413D-Personal-Financial-Statement

SBA-Form-1368-Monthly-Sales-Figures

SBA-Form-2202-Schedule-Of-Liabilities

CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS Small Business Guide and Checklist

Congress has approved $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact, if small businesses maintain or later restore their payrolls, they may not have to repay some — or possibly any — of the loan. Here’s a guide and checklist to help your small business through the process. https://www.uschamber.com/…/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallb…

COVID-19 Stimulus Package Summary

Our friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have put together a summary of the COVID-19 Stimulus Package. To better understand the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and how it impacts you and your members, we encourage you to review their updated summary which breaks down the final stimulus package and provides analysis for the business community. Links to the final bill text is included in the summary.

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Workforce Pipeline

Monroe County, MS, is full of great schools with students bursting with potential in the Workforce Pipeline. Please take a moment and read about a few of the accomplishments from some of our local school districts.

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