Windham Region Chamber of Commerce

DianeN

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CHAMBER SUPPORTS UNRESTRICTED GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for small businesses NON-STOP through the pandemic.  We have joined coalitions all across the country.  We are not stopping.  We believe the government should offer grants for small business WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS so that the business can best decide how to help their own company.  Here is a letter we sent to Congress..

Dear Members of Congress:

The COVID-19 pandemic has left America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs on the brink of collapse through no fault of our own. Having reached the grim one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the U.S., we continue to struggle to keep our doors open. While the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provided a crucial lifeline for many businesses, the programs’ rollout, technical errors, and restrictive loan parameters caused many small businesses—especially newer businesses and under-resourced communities—to fall through the cracks. This is why we still need more robust and unrestricted direct grant support.

With each day that passes, funding and relief dries up and we are left to continue to figure out how to keep our employees paid and our doors open. And we’re not alone–40% of small business owners recently reported they will need no-cost grants or zero interest loans this year to keep their business open.

That is why we are calling on Congress to provide more grant funding—because only we can determine how best to utilize the funding to keep our businesses open. This has strong support among other small businesses, with 91% of small businesses saying they want Congress to pass legislation authorizing direct grants. New grant programs for live venues and restaurants were a step in the right direction, but funding for both is likely to run out quickly. It is critical that you immediately pass a substantive and unrestricted grant program to support all of our small businesses.

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FREE INTERNET/COMPUTER FOR VETERANS

Active duty members, veterans and survivors may be eligible for free or discounted internet, and up to a $100 discount on a computer, thanks to a new program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a $3.2 billion federal initiative created by Congress to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for low-income Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for the program, a household or household member must:

  • Have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in SNAP, Medicaid or Lifeline;
  • Participate in the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
  • Have received a federal Pell Grant during the current year;
  • Have experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, with a total 2020 income at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

For a family of four in most of the country, an income equal to 135% of the poverty level is $35,775; for a family of two, that amount is $23,517. Income limits are higher for Alaska and Hawaii. See the Department of Health and Human Services website to calculate other levels.

For the purposes of this program, income includes:

  • Salary or earnings
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Social Security
  • Veterans’ benefits
  • Survivor benefits
  • Pension or retirement income

However, families who exceed the federal poverty level still may be eligible for the program if at least one member of the family meets another criteria, such as receiving a Pell Grant, receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly referred to as food stamps) or is attending a school where every student receives free or reduced-price lunches.

Families who suffered a substantial loss of income in the past 12 months are also eligible, even if they make more than the poverty level.

Participants approved for the program will receive up to a $50 monthly discount on qualifying high-speed internet from their provider, they may also receive up to a $100 discount for a laptop, desktop or tablet computer purchased from their internet service provider. Those who seek to receive the discount on a computer must pay at least $10 but less than $50 after the discount is applied. Each participating household is limited to only one internet and one computer discount in all situations.

A list of participating internet service providers can be found on the FCC website.

The temporary program is scheduled to end either when the money runs out or six months after the COVID-19 emergency is declared officially over, whichever is sooner.

The program will begin on May 12, 2021. Visit the official program website for more information.

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GRANT FOR FOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS-RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION GRANT

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant is now open! If you are in food service you should apply for this funding. It is a GRANT not a loan.
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
The RRF is to help restaurants and other foodservice businesses, including food stands, food trucks, caterers, bars, lounges and snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars, as well as bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, breweries, microbreweries, wineries and distilleries with on-site sales to the public of at least 33% of gross receipts.
CTSBDC is offering the following webinars in English and in Spanish:
Registration Links:
HERE IS A WEBINAR recording of info for applying for the grant.
Info to be Covered:
  • Eligibility details including which entities qualify and what is required;
  • Determining the amount you would qualify for depending on how long you’ve been in business;
  • The covered period, or the time period in which you need to use the funds;
  • How you can use the funds once you receive them;
  • Required documentation to help you get ready.

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SUMMER ENRICHMENT GRANTS

The State is providing up to $11 million in federal funding received for COVID-19 recovery efforts toward the expansion of programs that connect students to high-quality summer enrichment and recreational opportunities, with an emphasis on communities and children who were most impacted by the pandemic. Applications are due May 10, 2021.

There are 2 grant programs being offered:

  • Expansion grants (up to $25,000 per program site), which aim “to increase the number of Connecticut children who are able to participate in an enrichment program during the summer of 2021, with an emphasis on children who were most impacted by the pandemic. The funding can be used for expanding local existing programs, offering subsidies to offset enrollment costs, or creating a new program to serve students who might otherwise not have access to summer camp/programs.”
  • Innovation grants ($50,000-$200,000), intended “to provide students, especially those from traditionally underserved communities, with access to bold, highest-quality, and innovative summer programming. The funding can be used for expanding existing programs or creating a new program to serve students who might otherwise not have access to summer camp/programs, with an emphasis on programs that can serve students regionally or statewide. Programs must be evidence-based and demonstrate, either through available research, prior program data, or by other means, a superior record of improving student outcomes.”

This competitive grant application will award Expansion Grants and Innovation Grants to eligible organizations to provide students and families with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences. Grant application materials were created in collaboration with dozens of key stakeholders across the state – including leaders of summer programs – and will enable the state to identify and support high-quality programs that are able to expand capacity for summer 2021.

Providers are encouraged to collaborate with local school districts and municipalities in order to maximize funding and school districts and municipalities are encouraged to leverage the state’s investment as appropriate, to serve even more students.

HERE IS MORE INFORMATION

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HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX CREDITS SUSPENSION FOR 2020

The premium tax credit helps pay for health insurance coverage bought from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Eligible people can choose to have all, some, or none of the estimated credit paid in advance directly to their insurance company on their behalf. These payments – which are called advance payments of the premium tax credit, advance credit payments, or APTC – lower what taxpayers pay out-of-pocket for their monthly premiums.

Alternatively, people can choose not to get APTC, pay the full amount of their monthly premium, and claim all the benefit of the PTC that they are allowed when they file their tax return. This will increase their refund or lower the amount of tax they owe. Taxpayers use Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit to figure the amount of their PTC and reconcile it with their APTC.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 suspends the requirement that taxpayers repay their excess advance payments of the premium tax credit for tax year 2020. Excess APTC is the amount by which the taxpayer’s advance payments of the premium tax credit exceed their premium tax credit.

Taxpayers who used APTC to help make their monthly payments for their Marketplace plan will need to compare two things to figure out what they need to do:

  • the amount of premium tax credit paid in 2020 to the Marketplace on their behalf in advance and
  • the actual premium tax credit they qualify for based on their final income for 2020.

The best way a taxpayer can do this is to complete Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, using the information from Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement their plan sent to them, as part of their tax preparation.

If the taxpayers APTC was less than their allowable PTC, they can claim the difference on their 2020 tax return as a net PTC by including Form 8962 with their tax return. The IRS needs the information on the form to process the tax return for taxpayers. If a taxpayer claims a net PTC and they receive a letter asking for more information, they should respond to the notice so that the IRS can finish processing their 2020 tax return and, if applicable, issue any refund due.

If the taxpayers have excess APTC for 2020 that is more than their allowable PTC, they are not required to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, or report an excess advance premium tax credit repayment when they file their 2020 Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

If a taxpayer filed their 2020 tax return before the legislation and reported excess APTC, and received a letter about a missing Form 8962, they, don’t need to respond to the letter or contact the IRS. They also don’t need to file an amended tax return. The IRS will process 2020 tax returns without the Form 8962 by reducing the excess advance premium tax credit repayment amount to zero without further action by the taxpayer.

The IRS is taking steps to reimburse those paid the excess advance Premium Tax Credit repayment amount with their 2020 tax return filed before the legislative changes were made. Taxpayers in this situation should not contact the IRS or file an amended return solely to get a refund of this amount. The IRS will provide more details on IRS.gov.

This change only applies to 2020 excess APTC repayment. Taxpayers who received the benefit of APTC before 2020 must file Form 8962 to reconcile their APTC and PTC when they file their federal income tax return. This is true even if they aren’t otherwise required to file a tax return for that year. For example, if the taxpayer receives a letter about a 2019 Form 8962, the agency needs more information to finish processing their tax return, and taxpayers should respond to the letter.

More Information:
About Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit
More details about changes for taxpayers who received advance payments of the 2020 Premium Tax Credit.
Suspension of Repayment of Excess Advance Payment of the PTC

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Governor Lamont Announces $11 Million To Expand High-Quality Summer Enrichment Programs for Connecticut Children

Posted on April 21, 2021

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is proposing to dedicate up to $11 million in federal funding Connecticut has received for COVID-19 recovery efforts toward the expansion of programs that connect students to high-quality summer enrichment and recreational opportunities, with an emphasis on communities and children who were most impacted by the pandemic.

“After a challenging school year for so many students, our goal with this funding is for all kids to be able to access the terrific summer camps, child care centers, and other summer programs that our state has to offer,” Governor Lamont said. “By expanding access and lowering barriers that have precluded students from prior participation, we can help ensure that students have a fun and educational summer with their peers and are set up for success in the fall. I want to especially thank our own Senator Chris Murphy, whose fervent advocacy of summer enrichment funding has made this all possible.”

The funding will come from the portion of the American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). Through a partnership between Governor Lamont’s Office, CSDE, the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC), and members of the AccelerateCT Education Taskforce, the funding will be used through a two-pronged approach – expansion grants and innovation grants – to deliver these high-quality and financially accessible summer enrichment opportunities for children of all ages.

A competitive grant application will be launched to award expansion grants and innovation grants to eligible organizations to provide students and families with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences. Grant application materials were created in collaboration with dozens of key stakeholders across the state – including leaders of summer programs – and will enable the state to identify and support high-quality programs that are able to expand capacity for summer 2021.

Expansion grants will be awarded to entities to expand existing enrichment opportunities and increase access for children who might otherwise not have access to summer camp or programming. These grants are geared towards local organizations. Applicants may apply for up to $25,000 to either serve more children, subsidize enrollment costs, or both. Additionally, priority will be given to providers that can quickly scale programming to serve more students and/or make their programming more financially accessible to students from low-income communities. CSDE expects approximately 20,000 additional students to benefit from this grant program. The grant process will prioritize applications that have additional matches through the American Rescue Plan Act funding provided to local school districts and municipalities. By leveraging this match, the state could triple the number of students served.

Innovation grants will be awarded to entities to provide children with access to bold and innovative summer programming. These grants are geared towards entities that can implement programs at scale either regionally or statewide. Applicants may apply for up to $250,000 to students through existing programming or through the creation of new programming. CSDE expects approximately 5,000 additional students to benefit from this grant program.

Earlier this spring, CSDE issued a survey to state education partners that revealed more than 90 percent of respondents agreed this funding should prioritize enrichment opportunities that will help children get caught up so that they can thrive in the 2021-22 school year. In March, Governor Lamont announced that summer camps and festivals could begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season. Since then, enrollment for many camps has begun. Some camps have already reported that they are fully booked for the summer, suggesting that there is room for programs that receive expansion grants to serve more students.

The grant applications and additional information on both programs will be released by CSDE in the coming days.

“With jobs returning and workers coming back into an office setting, this summer is a really important time to make sure that parents have a safe place to send their kids,” Senator Chris Murphy said. “This funding is going to allow for more kids in Connecticut, especially low-income kids, to be able to have access to quality summer programs. What you’re going to see over the course of the next few weeks is a lot of states following Connecticut’s lead and planning for these federal dollars to be spent in a thoughtful way to expand the number of kids who have access to great summer programming.”

“Connecticut is once again ahead of the curve in not only expanding horizons for children but doing it in a fun and engaging way,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “These summer camps and programs are going to involve students, their parents, and whole families that strengthen the bonds that are so important to students doing productive learning. I want to pay tribute to the entire delegation that united behind this program.”

“Children across the country have missed out on critical experiences that help with their social and emotional development,” Congressman John Larson said. “Online learning and the cancellation of summer camps, soccer practices, band recitals and more have been put on hold leaving many parents wondering how they’ll make up learning and developmental loss. That’s why we fought for this critical funding from the American Rescue Plan. This $11 million for summer enrichment programs in Connecticut will help students across the state recover from this pandemic. This funding would not have been possible without Senator Murphy, who has been a fierce advocate in getting ahead of this crisis and fought tirelessly to ensure federal funds were provided to make summer programming available for our most vulnerable children. I thank Governor Lamont for establishing this program here in Connecticut.”

“The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for teachers, students, and families in the past year that has led to gaps in student growth and achievement,” Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said. “By creating and investing in accessible summer enrichment programs, we are able to build innovative opportunities, connections, and better outcomes for students with their social-emotional needs in mind. We cannot build back better without bold solutions and substantial investments. I applaud Governor Lamont for working quickly to ensure this federal funding reaches our communities.”

“These grants will allow us to innovate, create, and collaborate to provide our students with quality, evidence-based programming that will enhance learning and enrichment opportunities outside of the traditional classroom setting,” Connecticut Acting Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker said. “Leveraging the assets that already exist throughout Connecticut, we can provide engaging, hands-on, and transformative experiences to help children build connections with their peers, access services to address their social-emotional and mental health needs, and continue learning every day, everywhere to prepare for a successful transition this fall.”

“Providing summer enrichment and learning opportunities for children throughout the state of Connecticut is a critical piece to healthy social and emotional development,” Connecticut Commissioner of Early Childhood Beth Bye said.  “Children have missed out of so many of these experiences during the pandemic, and these federal funds are coming just at the right time as children enter the summer months with rich learning resources.”

“The Connecticut After School Network is very excited by the release of these new funding opportunities, because it means that many more children and youth will be able to participate in summer camps and enrichment programs,” Michelle Doucette Cunningham, executive director of the Connecticut After School Network, said. “The research shows that high-quality summer programs broaden kids’ horizons, fosters cooperative learning, and promotes healthy habits, especially this summer we need to focus on helping kids reconnect, and re-engage, as we begin to recover from the past year. I know that Connecticut’s many nonprofit community-based agencies that will be able to reach even more children this year will join me in thanking Governor Lamont and our Congressional delegation for making these new grants possible.”

“Our state Regional Education Service Centers are uniquely organized and have the flexibility to assist the Connecticut State Department of Education with this important work,” Tracey Lay, chief talent and development officer for EdAdvance and chair of the board of directors for the National AfterSchool Association said. “In addition to our experience and professional capacity, we have the connections to our schools and communities to help support these programs to expand and enhance the summer opportunities for our state’s children and families. In my various roles on the local, regional, state and national level, in the after school and summer enrichment fields for over 34 years, I’ve seen what the recent research shows – that these programs help working families, keep our children safe, and enhance their academics. High-quality summer programs can also engage and prepare our children to be ready for school. In these programs, children are learning in fun and engaging ways, or as I like to call it, ‘stealth’ learning. And summer programs provide an ideal setting for social emotional learning activities for our children, which is needed now more than ever.”