With ongoing uncertainty, we're hearing from fellow business owners that they'd like to know what others are thinking about the situation and when we might see improvement in the economy. Check out the US Chamber report for an overview:

https://www.uschamber.com/report/small-business-coronavirus-impact-poll-june

Starting 5PM this Saturday, August 1, Mayor Frey is ordering tap rooms, distilleries and night clubs "with a bar area" to close indoor bar areas for regular service. This is in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus cases. Health Commissioner Musicant cited 367 cases as of Monday where people testing positive had been in a Minneapolis bar. Restaurant/table areas may continue to operate. Customers will not be allowed to sit/stand at the bar or go to the bar and order directly from the bartender as health officials note that the proximity of people at the bar leads to community spread.

We're sad to report that the call has been made to cancel all remaining Open Streets events for 2020 given the ongoing health concerns. This includes Open Streets Lyndale and Open Streets Nicollet. The Open Streets organization is hopeful we'll be able to hold events in 2021, and will communicate early next year about that probability.

It has been front-page news across the nation. The discussion surrounding "defund the police" and the Minneapolis council's subsequent proposal for a charter change is fueling a lot of discussion. The charter proposal is currently in the hands of the Minneapolis Charter Commission, and they are accepting public comment.

The next virtual public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Participation instructions will be published on the City’s website. If you’re interested in speaking at either or both of the public hearings, you can pre-register using the online registration form.

Other ways to comment:

• Using the online public comment form.
• Emailing councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov.
• Mailing comments to:
  Minneapolis Charter Commission
  City Hall – Room 304 350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415

SWBA has held meetings with each of the business nodes to review the latest design plans and discuss design impact to business along the corridor. The City is proceeding with public comment meetings:

Virtual Open House Announcement

The City of Minneapolis is holding a virtual open house to share updates on the design for the reconstruction of Grand Avenue S between Lake Street and 48th Street W. Based on public feedback and incorporation of city policies, the design has been refined and will be presented to the Minneapolis City Council in August 2020. Attendees will have the opportunity to view a presentation and ask questions of project staff. We hope you will join us!

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Presentation followed by live Q&A

Visit the project website for instructions on how to attend.

If you cannot attend the virtual open house, we also have a recorded presentation online that you can view on the project website.

 

More about the Grand Avenue Reconstruction project

The City of Minneapolis plans to reconstruct 2 ¼ miles of Grand Ave S between Lake Street and 48th St W. The 60-year-old pavement has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. With the total reconstruction of Grand Avenue, the City has the opportunity to:

• Replace aging infrastructure
• Improve safety
• Incorporate ADA compliant pedestrian infrastructure
• Calm traffic speeds
• Enhance greening and stormwater facilities

Visit the project website: http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cip/futureprojects/grand-ave-s for all things project related.

• See a list of places we’ll be visiting in the community, where you can engage with us one-on-one
• Read current project information and sign up for email updates

A reminder for those still in need of financial assistance. The Federal Government extended the PPP program and is accepting applications through August 8th.

If you haven't yet found a bank to work with locally, smartasset has compiled a list of lenders offering loans at: https://smartasset.com/insights/ppp-loan-lenders

With concern to Covid issues, Our Streets is still hopeful for a September 20 Nicollet Open Streets and is interested to find out that IF your business would like to be involved IF the event goes forward. If the event is happening you will register beginning on July 27 at: 
https://www.openstreetsmpls.org/contact_event_coordinator. 

A decision of whether to hold the event at all will be made by July 24.

Your new contact for the event:
Our Streets
Nick Ray Olson
nickray@ourstreetsmpls.org.

Please Email Nick to let him know:

• If you are interested in participating in the event this year, should it happen
• If you have no interest in participating in a large community event this year

The Governor just announced he will be adding another 1,000 troops to the 700 already deployed in Minneapolis and St Paul tonight. Looting and burning continued last night despite the curfew and added active enforcement of the original 700 troops.

Hennepin County Grant Applications Due at Noon Today

This is the program that we shared out last week, but the maximum grant amount has increased from $7,500 to $10,000. Application assistance is available if you are interested. Details for both the grant and application assistance are at: https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief

We're on the path to opening back up as the Governor acknowledges our suggestions and begins taking the steps to get us back to work. Announcing that the Stay and Home order will be extended by 2 weeks, with a new end-date of May 18th, our businesses will be allowed to offer curbside and delivery service starting this Monday, May 4th. 

Curbside and Delivery Allowed As Of Monday, May 4 (with Plan In Place)

CODIV-19 Preparedness Plan

In order to provide service, you will need to have a "COVID-19 Preparedness Plan" in place. This plan must show how your business will implement the MN OSHA Standards, MDH and CDC Guidelines in your workplace.

Full Requirements:  https://mn.gov/deed/safework/

Plan Requirements:

1. Work from home must continue whenever possible.
2. Ensure sick workers stay home. Your plan must have policies and procedures, including health screenings, that prevent sick workers from entering the workplace
3. Establish Social Distancing in the workplace
4. Employee Hygiene
5. Cleaning and Disinfection protocols 

Optional template: https://mn.gov/deed/safework/

Plan Documentation and Notification Requirements:

1. Sign Off. The owner or senior management responsible for implementing the Plan must sign and certify the Plan, affirming their commitment to implement and follow the Plan. 
2. Notify Employees. You must provide your Plan, in writing, to all workers, and the Plan must be posted at all of your business’s workplaces in locations that will allow for the Plan to be readily reviewed by all workers. Where physical posting is impracticable, the Plan can be posted electronically, provided that the Plan is received by all workers and remains available for their review. 
3. Training. You must ensure that training is provided to workers on the contents of their Plan and required procedures, so that all workers understand and are able to perform the precautions necessary to protect themselves and their co-workers. This training should be easy to understand and available in the appropriate language and literacy level for all workers. 
4. Supervise. You should also take steps to supervise workers and ensure that workers understand and adhere to necessary precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmission. 
5. Document. You should be demonstrating compliance with this training requirement and documentation must be maintained and made available to regulatory authorities and public safety officers, including DLI, upon request.

You do not need to submit their Plans for preapproval. Upon request, Non-Critical Exempt Businesses must make their Plans available to regulatory authorities and public safety officers, including DLI. 

If you need assistance in creating your preparedness plan, would like to roundtable with other area businesses to discuss best practices or have questions about any of this information, SWBA is here to assist you. Please contact us through Jessica or comment on the forums on our COVID information page.