and Best Practice Standards from the Minnesota Chamber 
 

Anoka County Regional Economic Development (ACRED) continues to work with our state, community and chamber partners to provide you up to date information about resources for employers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the ACRED website To aid area employers in navigating the latest resources available, Anoka County Regional Economic Development (ACRED) teamed up with the County Job Training Center to create a homepage of business resources to tackle COVID-19 impacts. https://www.anokacountysuccess.org/covid-19-anoka-county-business-resources/ This site, which is continually updated, has information on unemployment insurance for employers, a section on federal, state and local financing, links to resources and more. A Framework for Safely Returning to Work The MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has a dedicated web page to help employers navigate tools on how to safely reopen operations. https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/safework/   Provide Input for Returning to Work Input from businesses and labor organizations continues to be a critical component of the state's planning for business re-openings. Input from workers and community members is also essential in making sure they reopen safely. You can provide input or feedback here.  Department of Labor The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) invites small business and workers to participate in the DOL’s “Opening America’s Workplaces Again National Online Dialogue.” Through this dialogue, the public can play a key role in helping to reopen America’s workplaces. COVID-19 Preparedness Plan DEED is asking employers that to create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that explains the actions they are taking to ensure social distancing and keep workers safe. The Department of Labor and Industry has created a template plan, which is optional for businesses to use as a starting point. http://www.dli.mn.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/COVID_19_business_plan_template.pdf Recent Progression Executive Order 20-48 allows workers in non-customer facing industrial and office-based businesses who cannot work from home to return to work. Executive Order 20-48 further allows any customer-facing retail business that sells goods to engage in curbside or outside pick-up and delivery, as long as customers do not enter the business premises Executive Order 20-51 will allow hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and clinics - whether veterinary, medical, or dental - to resume many currently delayed procedures. Chambers Advocating for Opening More Businesses Many of your local chambers in Anoka County joined more than 70 other chambers across the state - sending letter 5.5 to Gov. Walz for a more rapid and equitable approach to safely open businesses of all sizes. Read the full text here. Contact ACRED We are here to help you navigate the resources - financial, workforce or technical assistance. Reach out to Jacquel Hajder, Anoka County Economic Development Specialist Jacquel.hajder@co.anoka.mn.us 612-358-8925

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)