PRESS RELEASE
Audrain County, Missouri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Background
On March 27th, 2020, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund and appropriated $150 billion to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Under the CARES Act, the funds are to be used to make payments for specified uses based on the requirements of the CARES Act requirements and United States Department of Treasury guidance. Generally, the CARES Act provides that payments may only be used to cover costs that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 for the government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.
Expenditures must be used for actions taken to respond to the public health emergency. Funds may not be used to fill shortfalls in government revenue to cover expenditures that would not otherwise qualify under the CARES Act. Expenditures using CARES Act fund payments must be reasonably necessary. For further information, please refer to the guidance issued by Treasury on April 22, 2020, and May 4, 2020.
On April 28, 2020, Audrain County received information and guidance from the office of the Missouri State Treasurer regarding the distribution of CARES Act funds from the State of Missouri to Audrain County. After approving and returning a certification for payment to the State of Missouri, on May 6, Audrain County received $ 2.978,000.00
Process
Over the course of the past six weeks, Audrain County has reviewed the requirements of the CARES Act and the guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and has been working to identify community priorities and develop an application process to allow applicants to request CARES Act funds and make award decisions for the use of funds.
Application
The County is making an application available to request CARES Act funds. Initially, for the first round of funding, local governments, non-profits and businesses will be eligible to submit an application for reimbursement of incurred expenses directly related to Covid19. Applications for the first round of funding must be based on requests for reimbursement of eligible expenses or costs already incurred during the period March 1 through June 30th, 2020 and must satisfy the requirements of the CARES Act and Treasury guidance. Applicants will be required to submit sufficient supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts, and proof of payment.
The County is allocating $950,000.00 of the CARES Act funds for the first round of award decisions.
Applications for the first round of funding are due on or before July 30th. Completed applications are to be returned or mailed to the Audrain County Clerk’s Office, at 101 N. Jefferson, Room 101, Mexico Mo. 65265. The County will then review and evaluate the applications for completeness (including supporting documentation), compliance with the CARES Act requirements and Treasury guidance, and anticipates making award decisions as applications are received.
The application will be available at the Audrain County Clerk’s office, County website, County social media site, Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, Mexico City Hall and Vandalia City Hall. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the Audrain County Commission via CARES@audraincounty.org, (573) 473-5822, or Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce (573) 581-2765.
Depending upon the number of applications received and the amount of funds awarded in the first round of funding, the County anticipates potential additional rounds of funding.
Message from Dana Keller and helpful resources regarding COVID-19
Chamber Members,
If your organization has taken special preparedness measures, is closing or changed hours of operation, please let us know and we will share as much as we can on the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page.
Please remember this will be a direct hit for our small businesses, support them in any way that you can!
CDC Guidelines for employers :https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A//www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
If you anticipate a temporary layoff it is critical to contact the Missouri Department of Labor before taking action. They will help you develop a strategy and may offer some assistance but are unable to help if the layoff has already started. They also can assist with mass claims.
The US SBA will have Small Business Emergency Disaster Loans available.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
Stay prepared and healthy! Call if we can help!
COVID-19 Missouri 24/7 Hotline – (877) 435-8411
- Unemployment
- For information about employer tax rate calculations and the impact of benefit charges, please call (573) 751-1995 or email esemptax@labor.mo.gov.
- To file for or manage unemployment claims click here.
- Layoff
- Missouri Department of Labor is available 24/7, by phone to assist with a mass claim. Employers are asked to register on-line if you have not already at https://labor.mo.gov/
- Click here for unemployment insurance benefits FAQ’s
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- To view the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (passed March 19) click here.
- View the Fact Sheet for Employees
- View the Fact Sheet for Employers
- View the Questions and Answers document
Financial Help
- Disaster Loans
- The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. To apply for a disaster loan, click here.
Supply Needs
- The Missouri Hospital Association, in conjunction with the MO DHSS, is reaching out to see if any businesses or organizations have access to the supplies listed below and would consider donating to Missouri hospitals.
- Items most needed include:
- Surgical masks
- N95 Respirators
- Protective gowns
- Face shields
- Safety glasses
- Hand sanitizer
- Sanitizing wipes
- Thermometer probes
- Disposable gloves – sterile and non-sterile
- Nasal swabs
- Reagents, viral medium
Is your business open during the COVID-19 Restrictions?
Add your business to the list that are open but maybe operating with special restrictions on the Mexico Chamber of Commerce website.
NOTE: This form is to add Audrain County businesses only. We will publish the list of restaurants on Mexico and Fulton Takeout Restaurant Guide Facebook page which can be accessed here.
* Required
On behalf of the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce, welcome to Mexico, Missouri!
Mexico is a growing, active community located in Audrain County in northeast central Missouri. I invite you to spend some time on our website so you too can “Discover the Mexico Difference!”
Mexico’s greatest asset is our citizens….hard working, progressive, ethical, friendly, and caring. We have excellent public and private educational facilities, over 35 churches of all denominations, an outstanding public library, a historical museum complex, beautiful parks, a historic theatre and performing arts center, abundant activities for the avid outdoorsman, and organized programs and activities for all sports and all ages.
Dana Keller
Executive Director
Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce
As host to numerous national and international manufacturers and home to many locally managed or owned businesses, we offer job opportunities to those looking for life at its best.
We work hard as a Chamber of Commerce to be the pulse of the community, assisting all to provide services that will nurture and encourage our businesses and strengthen our community.
Visit Mexico and see what we have to offer.
Dana Keller
Executive Director
Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce