Funding

Summary of 501(c)(6) Eligibility in Pandemic Relief Package Expansion of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The final pandemic relief package restarts the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and expands PPP eligibility to include 501(c)(6)s. The language begins on page 2102 (in the PDF) and can be found in the Rules Committee Print (PDF). The authority to make new PPP loans will terminate on March 31, 2021.

Reopening & Recovery

Which Orders Do I Follow & What is a Requirement vs. a Recommendation?

Businesses and individuals must comply with both County and State orders. Each County retains authority to issue and enforce equally or more restrictive orders or provisions as necessary to respond should conditions worsen. The orders outline requirements that must be complied with in order to conduct business. (Riley County's Safety Requirement document (PDF) provides additional information for businesses.)

• Business Guidance (PDF) - State of Kansas document with links to recommendations from multiple industries
• City of Manhattan Mask order (Issued July 7, 2020)
• Guidance for Businesses to Respond to COVID-19 (PDF) - Good for more basic business operations
• Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force - Tools to Communicate Your Business Practices to Patrons (PDF)
• Pottawatomie County Health Order Number 8 (PDF) (Issued August 19, 2020)
• Pottawatomie County Mask Order (PDF) (Issued July 3, 2020)
• Pottawatomie County Reopening Guidelines (PDF) 
• Riley County Health Order Number 20 (PDF) (Effective March 1, 2021)
• Safety Requirements and Guidelines for all Businesses in Riley County (PDF)

Restaurant Guidelines

• (Food) Retail Best Practices (PDF)
• Food Retail Best Practices (Including Delivery and Pick-up Procedures) (PDF)
• Reopen Guidance - National Restaurant Association - Restaurant Guide (PDF)

Retail Guidelines

• National Retail Federation Checklist (PDF)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Guidance for Retail (PDF)

Cosmetology Guidelines

• Kansas Board of Cosmetology Guidelines (PDF)
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• PPE Items - these members offer Personal Protective Equipment
• Riley County Health Department

Resources

We encourage local businesses and Manhattan residents to monitor the situation and be diligent in protecting themselves. The Chamber has compiled resources, both locally and nationally, for its business members and the general public.

Our goal is to minimize the impact on our community by looking to our public health experts for guidance related to COVID-19. Here are some additional resources for your reference.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers - CDC
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Kansas Department of Labor
• Mental Health Related - Managing Your Mental Health Time of Crisis (PPTX) by Pawnee Mental Health
• Riley County Health Department - In cooperation with Ascension Via Christi and local medical partners a screening phone line available at 785-323-6400.
• Risk Assessment Guidance - CDC

Resources From the U.S. Chamber

• Federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP)
• Fort Riley
• K-State
• New - Guide to Small Business Association's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
• New - Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit
• Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency
• Unified School District (USD) 383
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched a new online series called Path Forward to supplement and inform the Chamber's work. Each episode of Path Forward will feature experts sharing their perspectives on the complex issues involved in a responsible reopening strategy. You can learn more about this initiative in the letter we sent to all of our members. We will be hosting a series of webinars, which you can sign up for online.

State Jobs Website

The Kansas Department of Commerce launched a jobs website, connecting job seekers with Kansas businesses hiring to fill urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 jobs site allows employers from essential industries to quickly and easily post critical positions that need to be filled to support activities related to helping individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The site, which is available at no cost to employers or job seekers, will be updated continuously as businesses add new jobs to the system. Job seekers can visit the site to find companies hiring for COVID-19-related positions and quickly access company hiring portals.

2-1-1

2-1-1 is a service by the United Ways of Kansas that puts people in touch with much-needed services and volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Now you can call, go online or even text to find help. Dial 2-1-1.

Google Resources

View Google resources.

Webinars

METL is a regional coalition of the Manhattan, Emporia, Topeka, and Lawrence Chambers of Commerce, representing the voice of nearly 3,000 Kansas businesses are hosting a webinar series. This webinar series will provide business resources for COVID-19.

• March 31 Secretary David Toland of the Kansas Department of Commerce
  Sec. Toland provided business assistance information relating to the COVID-19 response.
• April 2 Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  Neil discussed the CARES Act and what that means for small businesses.
• April 7 Karl Klein, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center and Will Katz, director of the KU Small Business Development Center
  This call focused on the nuts and bolts of the SBA application for small businesses.
• April 9 Laurel Klein Searles, Unemployment Insurance Director for the Kansas Department of Labor
• April 14 Sheldon Bartel with the National Development Council, a national non-profit
  He will discuss revolving loan funds and small business recovery programs, including EIDL and PPP.
• April 16 Wayne Bell, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, based in Wichita

Based on Recommendations of the CDC

• Frequently and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use your inner elbow or sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you're sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
• Clean surfaces in your home and personal items, such as cell phones, using regular household products.
• Consider an "elbow bump" instead of a hug or handshake.

We hope to maintain business as usual, but also want to ensure we're aligning with best practices to do all we can to keep our community healthy.