SBA: Closure of Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program Announced
Over 100k restaurants were awarded $28.6 billion; Average award was $283K Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman announces the closure of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program, signed into law by President Joe Biden as part of the American Rescue Plan. The program provided much needed economic aid to restaurants and other establishments struggling to make…
Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 5 Weekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the fifth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began May 17. Results will be released weekly May 27 to July 22. The SBPS includes questions on small business operations and finances, requests and receipt of assistance, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, measures of overall well-being, and…
EDA: $3.2 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Business Development and Job Creation Efforts in California
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $3.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to help the state of California prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. “President Biden is committed to empowering communities to build back stronger after the economic disruptions of…
EDA: $1.75 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Grow Healthcare Workforce Training Program in Grand Island, NE
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.75 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to CHI Health St. Francis, Grand Island, Nebraska, to renovate its medical center and support the expansion of vocational training programs in healthcare. This EDA grant, to be matched…
EDA: $894,960 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Economic Diversification Efforts in Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $894,960 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Ho-Chunk Nation, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to develop an economic diversification strategy plan that assesses assets, resources and potential opportunities to build economic resiliency. This EDA grant will be matched with $136,960 in local…
CFPB: Consumer Complaint Bulletin Highlights Consumers’ Difficulties During Pandemic
Spotty Responses by Companies Undermine COVID-19 Consumer Relief Related to Evictions, Economic Income Payments, and Student Loans The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a new complaint bulletin covering several areas of concern related to relief provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction moratorium. Some…
CFPB: As Federal Eviction Protections Come to an End, Agency Warns Landlords and Consumer Reporting Agenices to Report Rental Information Accurately
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released an Enforcement compliance bulletin reminding landlords, consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), and others of their critical obligations to accurately report rental and eviction information. Inaccurate rental and eviction information on a tenant screening report or a credit report can unfairly block a family from safe and affordable housing….
Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.1 Biweekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.1 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. Phase 3.1 includes substantial revisions to the questionnaire. Additional questions address the following new topics: disability, child health access, telehealth and child care. Also included are demographic questions to identify service members and military spouses, and questions to classify respondents employed…
FHFA: Use of Interest Rate Reduction Expanded to Help Borrowers with a COVID-19 Hardship Reduce Their Monthly Mortgage Payment
Changes to loan modification terms will help borrowers stay in their homes Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced changes to loan modification terms for COVID-19 impacted borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) needing payment reduction for successful home retention. The updated terms are specifically for borrowers with…
FEMA: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Policy Amended
FEMA is amending the agency’s COVID-19 funeral assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related fatalities that occurred in the early months of the pandemic. This policy change will allow applicants to submit a statement or letter from the death certificate’s certifying official, medical examiner, or coroner that attributes the death to COVID-19 fatalities that occurred…