January 19, 2021

Governor Janet Mills today extended the State of Civil Emergency (PDF) through February 17, 2021. The Governor’s decision to extend the emergency is in line with nearly every other state in the nation which have ongoing emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association. For example, the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont (DPF) recently extended their States of Emergency.

“Our Administration is working around the clock to take the limited and inconsistent supply of vaccine we receive from the Federal government and turn it around quickly and efficiently to make sure it gets into the arms of as many Maine people as possible. But as we do this, the pandemic rages on all around us,” said Governor Mills. “I urge all Maine people to take the steps we know that keep everybody safe — wear your mask, wash your hands, watch your distance and avoid gatherings, whether you’ve been vaccinated or not. These things will keep us all safe during the pandemic and give us a better shot of getting back to normal sooner.”

A State of Civil Emergency allows Maine to deploy all available tools to respond to and contain COVID-19. This is Governor Mills’ eleventh extension of the State of Civil Emergency. Under Maine law, Proclamations of Civil Emergencies may be issued in thirty day increments.

Since December 19, Maine has recorded 15,523 new cases of COVID-19, which represents 45 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the state since the beginning of the pandemic. Since that date, 298 Maine people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and 227 have lost their lives to COVID-19, representing 23 percent of all COVID-related hospitalizations and 44 percent of all COVID-related deaths in Maine since the beginning of the pandemic.

Release Date: January 19, 2021                         Release Number:  21-10                         

SBA Proposes Rule to Eliminate Regulations that Exclude Faith-Based Organizations from Seven SBA Programs

Public Comments Due by February 18, 2021

 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration invites public comment on a proposed rule designed to remove regulatory provisions that exclude certain faith-based organizations from seven business loan and disaster assistance programs.  These programs include the Intermediary Lending Program (ILP), Business Loan programs (7(a), Microloan and 504 programs), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) program and Immediate Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP). 

Because these provisions exclude otherwise eligible applicants based on their religious status, they violate their constitutionally guaranteed religious liberty rights.  By eliminating the provisions, the proposed rule would ensure that SBA’s programs provide equal treatment for faith-based organizations, which the Constitution requires, and would correspond with the President’s Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.

“Today’s proposed rule would remove barriers to SBA loans and disaster assistance that current regulations unfairly impose on faith-based businesses and organizations,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza.  “America’s faith-based small businesses and organizations play a vital role in providing employment opportunities, products, and essential educational, training and youth social services that benefit both our local communities and the overall national economy.  Today’s proposed rule would ensure that these businesses and organizations are not forced to choose between their faith and the SBA financial assistance that they need to continue serving the public and employing our neighbors.”

Public comments on this proposed rule can be submitted on or before February 18, 2021 at www.regulations.gov, using the following RIN number: RIN 3245-AH60.  The public may also comment by mail to Valerie Mills, Executive Operations Officer, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW, Washington, DC 20416.   

SBA will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov.

For more information about SBA’s assistance to faith-based communities, click here.

The SBA is committed to ensuring the relief programs launch as quickly as possible to deliver critical economic aid to America’s small businesses, live venue operators and promoters, independent theaters and cultural institutions. 

The SBA hosted a webinar on  1/14/21 outlining the  Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.  The recording is now available on SBA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/sbagov. Visit Shuttered Venue Operators Grant sba.gov) for more information on the program.

Are you or your business looking for a commercial shared kitchen?! Look no further!

Join the community at West Wellness Kitchen Co-op!

Whether you’re starting a brand new business or relocating an existing one, West Wellness Kitchen Co-op is a low risk/no lease option for hosting your consumer packaged goods, catering, and mobile food projects.

In the heart of downtown Berwick, Maine sits our 3 story historical building, with the most charming full commercial kitchen!

Right across from Corner Point Brewery and the town hall! Surrounding area currently projected to be redeveloped into a brand new downtown! This space has it all to offer: location, amenities, and a great community!

The building houses a tattoo studio and art gallery on the first floor, rentable fully compliant commercial kitchen on the second floor, and a yoga studio/function hall on the third floor. Fully handicap accessible with an elevator. You have to see this space to believe it!

Would be great for a restaurant in need of more kitchen space, catering company, baker, personal chef, and more! A great start up space for anyone looking to take the next step.

Dining room attached to the kitchen and event space upstairs for hosting private events!

Is this the space you have been looking for? View the full listing here:

https://maine.craigslist.org/off/d/somersworth-shared-space-commercial/7264022460.html

Low risk/ no lease month to month and even daily payment options available!

Inquire through Craigslist and set up an appointment to come check out the space or for any other questions! :)

Palmer Gas & Oil Breaks Ground on Propane Storage Facility

 

Atkinson, NH – Palmer Gas & Oil confirmed its commitment to keeping New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts homes and businesses warm by breaking ground on a propane storage facility in Somersworth, NH. Family-owned Palmer Gas & Oil, along with its subdivision Lamprey Energy, is one of the largest providers of commercial and residential fuel, service, sales and installation in the area.

 

“The supply infrastructure in New England is dated and can be taxed during extreme weather conditions,” says Peter Iacobucci, General Manager of Palmer Gas & Oil. “Weather can prevent ships from docking in ports and create unforeseen rail interruptions. Adequate storage is essential to ensure we have plenty of product on hand for our customers during challenging supply times.”

 

On hand for the groundbreaking were President and owner, Bill Ermer, along with his son Charlie Ermer, VP Business Operations, and daughter Joanne Ermer, VP Human Resources and IT. The award-winning Palmer Gas & Oil has been in the Ermer family for four generations. “I’m proud that we’ve been able to keep families warm for over 85 years,” says Bill Ermer. “And prouder still that we employ so many great residents of New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.”

 

In addition to facilities in Atkinson, NH, North Hampton, NH and this latest storage facility in Somersworth, Palmer Gas & Oil also has an additional storage facility in Raymond, NH.

 

For further information, please see PalmerGas.com.

 

Palmer Gas & Oil (PGO)is a family-owned and operated propane and oil delivery and service company based in Atkinson, New Hampshire with an over-85-year history serving New Hampshire, Northern Massachusetts and Southern Maine. PGO's automatic delivery, easy payment and scheduled maintenance plans make it simple for its customers to keep their tanks full and their equipment serviced. A full sales, service and equipment installation business, PGO is unique to the industry in that it is truly a one-stop shop. PGO is aBusiness NH MagazineBusiness of the Decade winner in the Retail/Wholesale category, a four-time consecutive winner of the Best of Business (BOB) awards for best fuel provider, a 2020 Business Excellence Award winner in consumer services for large organizations fromNH Business Review, and has an accredited A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Concord, NH – On Friday, January 22, the State of New Hampshire will begin accepting vaccination appointments for individuals within Phase 1B, which includes:

• New Hampshire residents 65 and over
• New Hampshire residents who are medically vulnerable at significant risk – including family caregivers for those under 16
• New Hampshire residents with developmental disabilities that receive services in a congregate residential setting, as well as staff in those settings
• Corrections officers and staff
• Populations that experience health disparities

Alteration of Phase 1B to include individuals 65 and older follows recommendation by the CDC to ensure that populations proven to be most vulnerable – which compromise 95% of deaths in the state – are prioritized in distribution efforts.

Vaccinations for Phase 1B will begin on January 26. An estimated 300,000 individuals are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination within Phase 1B of the state’s distribution plan. Supply of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the states has fallen short of the increases promised by the federal government.

“Overpromising and under delivering has become a habit with pretty much everyone in Washington D.C., which is why in New Hampshire we designed our vaccination system to be flexible and able to deliver for our citizens regardless of what they send us,” said Governor Chris Sununu.

Those eligible for Phase 1B vaccination can begin the process of scheduling an appointment on Friday, January 22 at 8 AM. Scheduling an appointment online at vaccines.nh.gov is the fastest, most efficient way to do so and is highly encouraged.

For those unable to schedule an appointment online, the 211 Hotline remains available. An extremely high call volume is anticipated. Wait times may be long, but every call will be answered by a live person.

Limited supply of vaccines from the federal government means appointments may be booked weeks out. Everyone in Phase 1B who wants an appointment will get an appointment. If allocation should increase, appointments will be rescheduled to earlier dates and times.

The State will continue to urge federal partners to make more doses available as quickly as possible.

The NH Department of Health & Human Services issued new guidance that outlines the five steps an employer should take if their employee tests positive for COVID-19. To learn more and download their document visit:

 5 Steps: When Your Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. 

The NH Attorney General's Office has issued guidelines for retail and grocery employees on how to respond to customers who refuse to wear a mask. Retail employees are urged not to engage with the customer after the refusal to wear a mask. Be sure to call your local law enforcement department prior to an issue to establish a plan with them. Read more.

 

EIDL loan applications will now continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and a 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations. Learn more about how an EIDL loan could be a resource for your small business.