MALP and Covid-19
Allison Wright – MALP President
You may know someone eligible for one of these relief programs. Neither are horticulture related but we’re all in this together!
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund:
https://rerf.us/
Hospitality Relief Dashboard:
https://www.barmagic.com/relief
Here’s an additional article for other relief funds for food service workers, bartenders, & beauty professionals.
COVID-19-related relief funds available to out-of-work locals:
Kyle Yamashita’s post on resources available in Hawaii during Covid-19.
Are you looking for your stimulus check? The IRS will soon have a way for you to track your check.
Are you self-employed or an independent contractor? There is help for you to through the CARES Act.
COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey
Please take the CTAHR survey to help find out the immediate needs of the agriculture/green industries of Hawaii.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID19AG
More information can be found HERE
Paycheck Protection Program Loans Information
Hello MALP Members!
I know this year has brought challenges to us all, whether you are an employee or an employer. Thankfully, landscaping, and all related businesses (suppliers) have been considered “essential” based on national standards. I have tried to post important details and changes on our website.
The “Paycheck Protection Program” is the newest program that is up and running that will greatly help EMPLOYERS keep jobs running.
The Small Business Administration has released funds to all approved institutions (which seems to include all Hawaii banking institutions) to provide Paycheck Protection Loans. These are extremely low interest loans – 1%, but can be FORGIVEN IN FULL if certain requirements are met.
This is not a joke and just may help to keep your business afloat. Below is a list of frequently asked questions on this program:
https://www.malp.org//malp-blog2/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Final-PPP-FAQs-4-7-20.pdf
There are many programs providing assistance to employees who have been furloughed and those dealing with a layoff from work. I have heard from MALP members customers have asked for reduced or discontinued services which then can impede payments to you, the contractor. This program through the Small Business Administration can greatly help EMPLOYERS through these trying times. The Small Business Administration is handling loan assistance through the CARES Act. Their website states “Our nation’s small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.” This program includes a Paycheck Protection Program. These loans are at a low interest but can be FORGIVEN IN FULL if certain requirements are met. This includes keeping your employees working for 8 weeks. There are salary caps and you must be able to provide details on your salary base for the past year. There is also information for sole proprietors, independent contractors, and more.
Here are important links for you to find more information:
https://www.sba.gov/document/support–faq-lenders-borrowers
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Please look into this program and apply soon as money will run out – for example, Wells Fargo has hit their limit on loans.
Call your local bank. It looks like almost all local Hawaii banks are approved lenders.
I know you may not be up to date on your membership (Individual, Business). We are sending out membership reminders even though this is a crazy time. We are gearing up for a very full class and program schedule for the second half of the year.
At any time, please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help find answers to your questions.
Stay safe, keep working hard & take care of your customers. It’s our time to shine!
Allison Wright
President – MALP
Hello MALP Members & Maui Horticulture & Landscape Industry Members!
I have fielded a few questions from people calling through our website regarding whether or not the horticulture/landscape industry is considered “essential” and if members of this industry are able to work. There have been a lot of changes over the past week since these restrictions were put in place.
UPDATE: MARCH 30, 2020
The Office of the Mayor of Maui County has released a comprehensive list of businesses that are “essential.” Please check this link:
https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121499/2020-03-28-Public-Health-Emergency-Rules-Supplemental-Guidance?bidId=This new supplemental guide to the emergency rules lists “landscaping’ as essential.
I spoke with someone in the Mayor’s Office last week and asked if our industry would be considered essential. I was told that if you are doing something to help with safety and/or sanitation (i.e. keeping sidewalks clean so someone is not going to slip or trimming trees). Also, if you are a nursery & are “growing food” such as fruit trees,or are supplying an essential business, you can be considered essential. If you are a materials supplier for farms or other essential businesses (such as irrigation supply stores supply plumbers).
This information is still very vague. I strongly recommend speaking with each individual client to discuss their wishes.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is an organization that works directly with national legislation for the landscape industry.
They state,
“Landscape professionals maintain and protect the living environments around hospitals, government facilities, housing areas, parks, schools, and more; protecting public safety by:
performing regular maintenance to mow, prune control weeds, and inspect for safety and security issues; performing essential treatments to reduce the spread of dangerous and deadly diseases through pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas; removing fallen trees and mitigating overhead hazards from wind effects; providing maintenance and plant removal to assist in fire abatement; managing invasive species; and keeping public and private pathways free from obstruction and potential risk.”
On their site they quote:
“In states that we do not have explicit language exempting the landscape industry we are continuing to communicate with those officials to provide further evidence of the essential nature of landscape services. The provisions cited below that do not explicitly exempt landscape services does infer the essential services the industry provides through maintenance, repair, sanitation and other provisions associated with the landscape industry and through our continued support of other essential businesses. This remains a rapidly developing situation and we will update this website as we learn new information.”
Below are some links for NALP’s information:
The National Association of Landscape Professionals State by State COVID-19 Guidance
COVID-19 and Landscape as Essential Services Update Podcast
Here’s a link from American Hort regarding working with congressional delegates to consider horticulture/landscape workers essential as well as information on employees who are working on visas:
https://www.nurserymag.com/article/americanhort-addresses-concerns-regarding-coronavirus/
More info on H2-A Visas
https://www.nurserymag.com/article/h2a-visas-border-closed-covid-19/
Here’s a link to an article on how to be prepared & flexible in your nursery business from Nursery Management Magazine:
https://www.nurserymag.com/article/charlie-hall-economy-insights-covid-19/
I hope this helps with some of your questions. Please feel free to contact us at any time and we will help to find answers!