​In the Braintree Chamber of Commerce’s fourth COVID-19 update, local business leaders learned about recent improvements to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as phase 2 reopenings facilitated by the mayor’s office.
 
The June 8 video conference was led by Chamber Chair Kim Kroha of Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. Here’s the recap:

On June 5, the president signed into law the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act, which addresses problems with the original PPP loans for small business owners.
 
Representatives from the Massachusetts District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Bob Nelson and Susan Lourie, led a discussion of the PPP Flexibility Act and other PPP loan information. Margaret Laforest from the Massachusetts Economic Development Office provided additional information on PPP and reopening.
 
Applications: Assistance funds are still available, and new PPP applications must be approved by June 30. SBA has guidance for calculating maximum loan amounts.  

• Any businesses that applied for a PPP loan before March 30 must reapply for Disaster Loan Assistance here to be eligible for the grant (forgivable) portion of the loan.
• The state is processing loan applications more quickly now that the initial rush has passed. If you received a request from the SBA for more information, respond as quickly as possible. Many applications are held up due to missing information (like an account number) or an error.

 
Repayment: The PPP Flexibility Act answered many questions of small businesses related to repayment requirements.

• It extended the payment period from 8 weeks to 24 weeks, and it allows up to 40% of the funds to be used for nonpayroll costs instead of 25% under the original program. There are no regulations created for the act at this point.

• Interest rates remain 1% (any remaining loan amounts not forgiven), but the loan term has been extended from 2 years to 5 years.
• Unlike the initial PPP application, there is no rush for forgiveness, so please take time to consult resources.
• Only costs that were regularly incurred as of February 15, 2020, can be counted for nonpayroll expenses.
• Businesses will not be penalized if they cannot restore operations to February 15 levels due to shutdown orders.

 
Employment issues: Businesses will not be penalized if former employees decline offers to come back to work, or if businesses are unable to find qualified employees.

• It is important to document all offers and attempts to hire and to keep clear employment records.
• An employee risks losing unemployment if he or she refuses to return to work based on fears of COVID-19.

 
For more information, or if you have questions: Contact your local SBA partners for free consultations, and sign up for SBA email notifications on PPP and other programs. 

Slowly and cautiously, Braintree is reopening for business with guidance from the state and town.

​In the Braintree Chamber of Commerce’s third COVID-19 update, business owners learned about the governor’s reopening plan and when businesses can reopen. The meeting was held by video conference on May 21 and led by Chamber Chair Kim Kroha of Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C.
 
Here’s what you need to know:

State Senator John Keenan and Margaret LaForest of the Mass. Office of Business Development previewed the reopening plan’s four phases. Advancing to the next phase will require a positive trend in public health metrics.
 
All businesses and service providers must comply with mandatory safety standards for adequate social distancing, hygiene protocols and cleaning. In addition, specific sectors should follow recommended best practices.
 
Sectors eligible to reopen in phase 1 are construction, manufacturing, office spaces, laboratories, hair salons and barbershops, car washes and pet grooming.
 
Businesses can use this Covid-19 control plan template to self-certify their compliance with the safety guidelines and display this compliance attestation poster to the public.
 
There will be no drop-in inspections, but employers and employees can report unsafe work conditions, which will trigger an inspection.
 
Under the “Safer at Home” advisory, people at high risk should continue to stay home except for essential errands.
 
Public health officials anticipate another surge of COVID-19 cases that will coincide with the annual flu season. “The fall will be very challenging,” said Sen. Keenan. 

​The Braintree Chamber of Commerce hosted its second COVID-19 update with Mayor Kokoros, State Senator John Keenan and members of the real estate community on May 11.
 
Meeting by video conference, participants discussed the pandemic’s impact on residential and commercial renters and landlords as well as the broader business community. Incoming Braintree Chamber chair Kim Kroha led the meeting.

The mayor reported that 78 Braintree residents have died of Covid-19 to date, and 65% of cases are in nursing homes and long-term-care facilities. The number of new cases is declining, although the numbers are “far higher” than could have been anticipated at the start of the crisis.
 
The mayor expressed his commitment to working closely with business owners to reopen safely after the governor lifts restrictions and issues guidelines.

• Restaurant owners are very concerned about their ability to survive financially if social distancing requirements require them to operate at reduced capacity. The town will investigate using public property for outdoor dining, such as parking lots or French’s Common. Street closures and sidewalk dining are likely unfeasible.
• Hair salons and personal services might be best equipped to reopen because frequent sanitization is already part of their daily business practices.
• The mayor is skeptical that the town’s summer programming, including community events, will be possible due to safety concerns with large gatherings. “If we don’t maintain reduced numbers of folks in public places,” the mayor said, “we’re going to end up with a spike and it will put us in a bad situation come Fall when we need to have school go back in session.”
• Braintree Golf has reopened with distancing rules in place.
• The town is working to procure face masks and hand sanitizers for local businesses.
• The mayor encouraged the state legislature to consider ways to direct insurance companies to pay out business stoppage claims.

 
“We want everyone to get back to work, but we also don’t want everyone to get exposed,” the mayor said. Given that Braintree’s numbers are higher than the state average, the town likely will require stricter measures than those ordered by the state, he added.

​Braintree’s elected officials briefed members of the local business community in a videoconference hosted by the Braintree Chamber of Commerce on April 27.
 
The virtual meeting featured Mayor Charles Kokoros, Town Council President Shannon Hume and Braintree’s two state senators: Walter Timilty and John Keenan. Here is the recap: