CARES Act

Posted on December 10, 2020 by CCI

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the US Congress in March 2020. The relief package delivers over $2 trillion dollars to provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses, and preserve jobs for our American industries.

The CARES Act created the Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide for payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

About the CARES Act

Gov. Polis Letter on Direction of Funds

Spending Priorities for Colorado (Senator Bennett, March 29, 2020)

Bill Analysis (National Association of County Organizations)

Q&A with National Association of County Organizations

CARES Act Programs

For comprehensive resources on the Coronavirus Relief Fund, please click here

Small Business Programs:

US Treasury Resources

Programs for Small Businesses (US Chamber of Commerce)

Coronavirus Emergency Loans–Small Business Guide & Checklist (US Chamber of Commerce)

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act (US Senate)

Assistance for Workers & Families:

US Treasury Resources

Assistance for American Industries:

US Treasury Resources

Small Business Relief Program

Posted on December 10, 2020 by CCI

The Small Business Relief Program was created during the Colorado State Legislature’s recent Special Session. Read the bill here.

The program makes $37 million available to small businesses in the restaurant, bar, gym and movie theatre industry that have suffered at least a 20% reduction in profits during the pandemic. Further, the small business must be operating in a county that is enforcing severe capacity restrictions per state public health orders.

Counties, councils of governments (COGs) and economic development districts may apply to the Department of Local Affairs for the funds (which will be allocated on a per capita basis) by January 8. Those that intend to apply for funds in January must include a proposed process for accepting applications. If a county is not planning to participate in the program, they should make that determination known to the Department of Local Affairs no later than December 18, 2020 so that municipalities and councils of government have time to apply.

Zoom Session (Dec. 10, 2020)

CCI & the Department of Local Affairs hosted a Zoom Session regarding the Program along with Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Department of Revenue, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. A recording of the session is below.

Slide Deck–coming soon

Communications Tools

Posted on December 10, 2020 by CCI

Communicating COVID Webinar

The National Association of County & City Health Officials, in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, conducted a poll, led by Frank Luntz, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to empower politicians and public health professionals on their communication surrounding the pandemic.

Major Findings:

Focus on the end goal (“back to normal”), not the process
Focus on the benefits of success instead of the consequences of failure
Communicate that actions are a “fact-based approach”; do not let politics be part of the conversation; moreover, allow researchers and medical/public health professionals to lead the discussion, as they were found to be more trusted than politicians
An area of agreement is local control and solutions
Recommended language:
- Pandemic (over COVID-19 or the coronavirus)
- Face mask (over facial covering)
- Stay-at-home-order (over lockdown or restrictions)
- Fact based policies (over science, data, or medicine specifically)
- Protocols (over mandate, directive, control, or orders)

The poll confirmed that there is a major divide between Republicans and Democrats over the perceptions and actions related to the pandemic. The findings of the poll should assist politicians and public health professionals to communicate and bridge this partisan gap when speaking about the pandemic.

Further Resources:

Communications Cheat Sheet

Zoom Session Recording

PowerPoint Presentation

Poll Findings

Resources

State Resources

Federal Resources (CDC)

Step Up Colorado Campaign

Facebook Local Alerts

NACO Resources

County Declarations