May 5, 2020
Weekly Update Vol.2020

MN Air Guard Salute Healthcare Workers, EMS, Fire & Police Today


Local Support for Small Business

Impact??   Your County & State Leaders are asking!

The Forest Lake Chamber is hosting these meetings twice a week through the zoom platform.   On the calls, lead by Nannette LaNasa of Forest Lake Chamber have been Regional Economic Development Representatives from Anoka & Washington Counties; Open to Business Representative, County Commissioner Miron from Washington County, Mayor of Forest Lake, Senator Karen Hausley, Representative Bob Dettmer, 

  They started out with a couple of meetings to get a handle of what was happening.  The continue to meet twice a week and seek impact and provide updates from the various participants.   

It is a great Networking Opportunity as Nanette rotates through participants with Name, Business,  Frustrations/Successes, Tips for coping, Positives from the Covid Situation.   

Yesterday, we talked about creating a safe work environment, mental health, long term 30 year businesses that are closing, modifications to PPP program, a fresh produce delivery to get it out to anyone willing to pick up, so that it doesn't go to waste.  

Senator Hausley talked about a bill going through state government that will give Banks more authority to prevent financial exploitation of our elderly in the scams to withdraw large sums of money.  

There is also an initiative going on creating local grant opportunities for small business by the Anoka & Washington County Regional Economic Development & Open to Business Programs.    They will be seeking donations from large businesses that have done very well during the Covid-19virus to contribute fund dollars that will only go to small businesses in our area. 

This program is open to anyone and in the area.   Chamber membership is not required. 

If you would like to be invited to participate in these calls, send an email:http://chamber@flacc.org

QACC BOD looking at options to Support Small Business Recovery

We Need to hear from You! 
How are you doing?
What adaptations have you made to adjust?

 
If you have ideas on what the Chamber can do to support all small businesses, please submit via email to info@quadareachamber.org by Friday May 15th.   

Remember to check the Covid - 19 page on the Chamber Website and the Anoka County Regional Economic Development page.  They are updated as new information arrives. 

Are you preparing to reopen- have you used the tools on the MN Deed Website.
Together we will get through this and be a better community in the Quad Area!



 

Prevention of wasted food and food rescue grants

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grants. These grants will provide financial assistance for programs that can help prevent food from being wasted and/or promote food rescue that redirects unused food to people who need it. Composting and food-to-animal programs are not eligible for this grant funding.
Approximately $500,000 is available. Funding will focus on organizations with project proposals that use prevention of wasted food or food rescue to have a measurable impact on reducing the greenhouse gas impacts from food that is wasted.
Eligible applicants include Minnesota not-for-profit organizations, businesses, institutions, political subdivisions of the state, State agencies, and tribal governments. Multi-organizational collaboration is encouraged. See the request for proposals (RFP) for full details on eligibility, grant match amounts, and other information that will help you submit a proposal. To learn more and to apply, go to the Prevention of wasted food and food rescue grants page (http://direc.to/dP8p).
Application deadline: 4pm on June 12, 2020
Total funds: Approximately $500,000
Awards: Maximum $250,000; minimum $75,000
Match requirement: 25% (applicants must provide at least 25% match of the grant award)
 

Community Families May Pick Up Free Fresh Food at Lino Lakes YMCA

YMCA, LOAVES & FISHES AND UNITED HEALTH GROUP PARTNER TO PROVIDE FREE FRESH FOOD FOR HEALTHY MEALS TO FAMILIES DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

 
Minneapolis, MN – YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is partnering with Loaves & Fishes and United Health Group to provide free, fresh food to families in the community to ensure youth have healthy meals during unprecedented pandemic.
The Y, Loaves & Fishes and United Health Group believe that supplying healthy fresh food is critical to supporting families in our communities to alleviate food insecurity and hunger. Together they combine the YMCA region-wide distribution network, Loaves & Fishes internationally recognized program, and United Health Group efforts to cover the more than $2 million in food costs and wages for the cafeteria employees preparing meals for people in the Greater Twin Cities. This program with the YMCA and Loaves & Fishes is part of a larger effort by United Health Group to provide healthy meals to those in need, in the Twin Cities, and around the country.
Families may pick up food from Noon – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday at most YMCAs and choose a meal package for a family of four including a protein, vegetables and other fresh food. Also, lunch bags with a sandwich, snacks and fruit are available. Anyone in the community may pick up food.  YMCA membership is not required. Supplies are limited. Please practice physical distancing when picking up food.

"Our phones have been ringing nonstop and we have identified that there is great need in cities where we really need to be,” said Cathy Maes, executive director at Loaves & Fishes. “Serving at the YMCA Twin Cities is a relationship that expands our reach and we could not be more grateful. Our goal has always been to serve those in need and together we are doing just that.”
 
“We are grateful to partner with Loaves & Fishes and UnitedHealth Group to ensure all of our families in our community have access to food during this very difficult time and no child goes hungry,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. 
For more information on the YMCA food distribution locations, go to www.ymcamn.org/food-distribution
The Y is committed to ensuring all in the community have the resources they need to navigate the impact coronavirus is having on people’s lives. For more information on the YMCA Community Response Hub, visit www.ymcamn.org/impact-summary. To support Y programs and services for youth, families, adults and seniors, visit Y Community Response Fund at www.ymcamn.org/give.
 
WHO: The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, Loaves & Fishes, and UnitedHealth Group
 
WHAT:  To ensure youth and their families have nutritious meals during the coronavirus crisis, the community can get free fresh food at select YMCA locations
 
WHERE: Front doorways of most YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities locations. See www.ymcamn.org/food-distribution for a full list of locations.
 
WHEN: Noon – 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Eat Local from our Curb-side meals! New Component! Photo Contest


 
  1. Order a meal from a local Quad Area restaurant
  2. Take a picture of your meal
  3. Post your picture to Facebook and tag the Quad Area Chamber of Commerce or the Chain of Lakes Rotary
We are looking for likes, shares, stories, etc.    Those with the most likes or shares will be considered for upcoming marketing options for the Chain of Lakes Rotary and/or the Quad Area Chamber.   

The Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Centerville and Lexington community is our business and it’s in all of our best interests to help our businesses survive the COVID-19 era. We want to encourage all of our community families to learn which businesses are serving curbside, what their hours are, and what their curbside menus comprise of. And of course, we want our neighbors to purchase curbside meals!
To learn more, go to https://www.facebook.com/QuadAreaChamber/
https://www.facebook.com/chainoflakesrotary/
 

Flier- Curbside to Go /Delivery Options

Centerville Community Market Seeking Vendor Applications

Anoka County News & Conversations with Administrator

Very informative conversation and video put together by North Metro TV. 

It most certainly helps understand what went into the Bunker Beach Decision and what's been happening on county level!

It is important to stay informed, especially during these challenging times. 

Quad Area Chamber Community Census Challenge

Congratulations Centerville!!!
We have some tough competition for Census 2020 Community Bragging Rights!   1st goal was the largest percentage by Tax Day 4/15/2020.    Our next date is 6/1/2020.    Please do what you can to encourage your community to be COUNTED!!    

You can be counted on line at: 2020 Census Respond

Current Community Ranking

One Stop for Local Information for Business Owners

Find it Here!

Paycheck Protection Program Update from SBA
In the near future, SBA expects the amount of processed PPP loan volume to reach the
maximum amount authorized and appropriated by Congress. Once the authorization limit is reached, SBA will not be able to accept any new loan applications for the Paycheck Protection Program.
 
This will mean that lenders will no longer be able to load PPP applications into the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS or E-Tran) [the Lender Gateway]. SBA is unable to maintain a queue for PPP applications. Further, PPP loan amounts may not be adjusted by lenders within the CAFS system.
 
Additionally, once the authorization limit is reached, SBA will no longer be able to accept new lender applications to become PPP lenders.
 
SBA is reaching out to the lending community to make them aware of this eventuality so that they may prepare and inform their small business customers of the situation.
 
SBA will continue to inform its lending partners of new updates should Congress authorize additional funds.
 
 
 

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