April 17, 2020 - Special
Issue
Copyright © 2020 American
Horse
Council
| | | |
|
White House Releases Guidelines to
Re-Open the U.S. Economy
On
Thursday, April 16, the White House released "Guidelines for Opening Up America
Again," a 20-page document outlining a tiered and regionally-based roadmap to
get back to business. The guidelines are voluntary and authorize governors to
implement either state-wide, or "county by county" timetables for easing
restrictions on personal and commercial mobility. Importantly, the guidelines
establish so-called "gating criteria," enumerating health-based benchmarks that
serve as a prerequisite for different classes of business establishments to
re-open.
Mass gatherings including racing events and horse shows would
fall under "Phase 3," which Administration officials are identifying as a state
of relative control over risks associated with COVID-19 exposure. Talks between
various private sector stakeholder advisory committees are underway to discuss
tactics to comply with the spirit of the guidelines while limiting potential
tort liability arising from new risks. These advisory committees include horse
industry partners in the agriculture and sports communities. AHC will share
details related to next steps as they unfold. To view a copy of the guidelines,
go to the following link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf.
Details:
Bryan Brendle at
bbrendle@horsecouncil.org. | |
|
|
We're
all doing a lot of video conferences so here's a novel idea .
INVITE A
HORSE TO YOUR NEXT CORPORATE MEETING OR VIDEO CALL
Need
a fresh face to brighten up your video conference meetings? Want a fun
experience for an online Happy Hour? Looking for a virtual tour? The
Pennsylvania
Equine Rescue & Retirement Foundation
Ambassadors
Penn & Penny are here for you.
CALL
TODAY!!
724-777-4747 or EMAIL!!
info@perrf.org
We’ve
got a number of great
options. | | | | |
|
Check out
our COVID-19 Resources for
Horse Owners, Non-Profits, Equine Businesses, and
Industry Employees - PLUS state specific resources
at
https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/covid-19-resources/
A Screen Shot is shown
below
|
|
Paycheck Protection Well Runs Dry,
For Now
Since enactment of the $2.2
trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act on
March 27, the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Thursday, April 16 depleted
$350 billion of loan commitments under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP),
hitting the maximum amount authorized by the massive economic relief package.
Because Congress is officially out of session until Monday, May 4, lawmakers
would have to pass legislation to authorize additional funds under rigid “pro
forma” procedures prior to that date. Last week, the Senate passed in pro forma
session a narrow bill adding $250 billion to the PPP. The House, however,
rejected the proposal, and countered with a bill that would authorize $250
billion to fund municipal governments and hospital networks, in addition to
Paycheck Protection aid. The Senate subsequently rejected the House proposal,
initiating behind-the-scenes talks to move past the stalemate. With both
chambers having reached an impasse on specific dollar amounts and the scope of
additional economic aid, a near-term path forward remains uncertain.
Much of the confusion arising from
Paycheck Protection stems from the two-tiered roll out for loan eligibility. On
April 3, the SBA began processing loans for small businesses and sole
proprietors. A week later, on April 10, the agency opened the program to
independent contractors and the self-employed, thereby extending the program to
large segments of the horse industry. SBA had not previously operated
large-scale loan programs for these two classes of borrowers, therefor creating
an environment of uncertainty for borrowers and lenders.
Many members of the horse industry
have reported long waiting times from their banks to learn details related to
their applications. To give perspective on the bottlenecks, the Administration
reported earlier this week that it had processed approximately 1.4 million
applications and disbursed slightly over $70 billion to banks. While
policymakers intend the program to operate on a “first come, first served”
basis, the depletion of funds should not necessarily dissuade potential
borrowers from moving forward with an application. Many banks, especially
larger institutions including Wells Fargo, for example, have stated that they
will continue to process Paycheck Protection loans, pending additional funds
from Congress. AHC will continue to keep members informed of guidance and
developments related to small business loans and other economic relief
measures. For a detailed overview of Paycheck Protection, go to the following
link: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20--%20Overview.pdf.
Details: Bryan Brendle at bbrendle@horsecouncil.org.
|
|
|
|
Survey COVID-19 Economic Impact
on Equine
Industry
___________________________________________
The
American Horse Council is conducting a brief survey (14 questions which take
less than 10 minutes) to determine the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the
equine industry. We would very much appreciate your assistance with collecting
this information. The only thing you need to have handy is your total horse
related income and expenses for March 2019 and March 2020 so we have some
comparison.
It's important to note that for statistical reasons we
are sending this survey to a predetermined 1,000 people. Please do NOT forward this or share this survey with
others as statisticians will be scaling the responses and we must preserve the
sample size .This survey will close April
20, 2020, and depending on the pandemics length we will reissue each month to
get up to date numbers and data.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AHCCOVID19Impact
Thank
you. Be well and Be Safe.
#HorseStrong | | | |
|
National resource
database
available to help at-risk
horses.
UHC has pushed up the release of its resource database
questionnaire in the wake of COVID-19, in an effort to compile a listing of all
known safety net programs available in the nation to help owners who are in
need, as well as the rescues and sanctuaries that help them. It is our hope,
that by having one centrally located area to access these resources, we will
help owners keep their horses from becoming at-risk during these trying
times.
The brief questionnaire can be completed by going to our website
here: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/resource-database/ |
|
|
|
The AHC News is provided to you as a benefit of your
AHC membership, and we hope you find the articles informative and useful. While
the AHC does grant permission for newsletter articles to be passed on, we hope
you will encourage those you are sharing the articles and information with to
join the AHC so they can stay informed and
up-to-date!
Permission to
pass on the AHC News articles to your members, readers, or others is granted on
the condition that it is forwarded in its original form or directly linked with
the AHC logo and a link to the AHC
website. | | | | | |
|
|
|
American Horse Council
1616 H Street NW • 7th Floor
•
Washington, DC 20006 • 202-296-4031
www.horsecouncil.org
info@horsecouncil.org
| |
|
ReadMsgBody {width: 100%;}
.ExternalClass {width: 100%;}
| | | | | | |