All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs). It is critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions - for more information on DHMs, click here.
This page was last updated July 28, 2020.
Disaster Assistance Information
USDA Information and Resources
USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities preparing for and impacted by COVID-19. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide will help our rural leaders understand what assistance is available to them during this unprecedented time.
As part of USDA's implementation of the CARES Act, agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL). The loans now mature at 12 months, and this flexibility is available for most commodities. Details: https://go.usa.gov/xvDyv
With $349 billion in emergency small business capital, the federal government is working to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers may be eligible – learn more about the Paycheck Protection Program
USDA is partnering with U.S. Department of Labor to assist H-2A employers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details: http://ow.ly/X7ny50yQmXD
CARES ACT Information
Details are still being sorted out regarding the assistance authorized within the CARES Act as it relates to the agricultural sector. According to contacts with appropriate federal officials at both the state and national level, efforts are moving quickly to parse through the wording and make decisions regarding implementation.
To that point, the Paycheck Protection Program interim final rule has been developed, and it appears to clarify that agricultural businesses are included under this program umbrella. Here is a link to a Fact Sheet from the U.S. Treasury. Here is the link to information on the Small Business Administration website for the program. As you’ll note in the Fact Sheet and on the website, loan proceeds under this program are to go for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs. As you look at other details in these materials, you’ll note the focus on, and incentive to, use the proceeds to maintain staff and payroll. While there was some confusion regarding the application of the program to ag, SBA Nebraska District Office Director Leon Milobar said publicly today during the Governor’s news conference that ag is allowed under the program. Again, some details are still being sorted out. However, agriculture producers interested in learning more about whether this program can apply to their individual operations should contact their lender soon. We anticipate the release of more information in the coming days.
Paycheck Protection Program
On April 2, the Department of Treasury (Treasury) and Small Business Administration (SBA) released an interim final rule on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Agricultural producers are eligible to participate in the program and should reach out to their bankers and/or agricultural lenders to apply immediately. While SBA still needs to confirm some administrative details, loans will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and producers can get started on the application now.
Below please find additional details about the PPP program.
- Program Eligibility
- All businesses (including farm and ranch businesses) are eligible for a PPP loan if they (1) have fewer than 500 employees; (2) meet the definition of a “small business concern”; and (3) are subject to SBA’s affiliation rules (unless those rules were specifically waived in the CARES Act).
- Waiting on SBA to clarify the definition of “small business concern” – do not anticipate any undue restrictions.
- Waiting on SBA to confirm whether H2A workers are counted as “employees” for the purposes of determining size.
- Financial institutions, including the Farm Credit system, will be responsible for processing loan applications and administering the loan.
- Loan Terms
- Loan amounts are calculated based on the payroll costs for all employees whose “principal place of residence” is in the U.S. Please note that this definition excludes H-2A workers, which will likely reduce the loan amount available to some agricultural producers.
- This loan has a maturity of 2 years and an interest rate of 1%. Loan payments will be deferred for the first six months.
- The loan will be fully forgiven if at least 75% of the funds are used for payroll costs, and the remainder is used for interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
- Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.
- The best POC for questions on the Paycheck Protection Program is the Lender Relations Specialist in your local SBA Field Office. The local SBA Field Office may be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
Get Nebraska Growing: DED to Co-Administer COVID-19 Relief Grants
Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will co-administer four new State grant programs — utilizing $392 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act COVID-19 Relief funding — to help support Nebraska’s economic recovery.
The grants are designed to provide assistance to individuals, families and businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19, and will fill gaps by addressing four critical areas of need:
- Financial support (i.e., support for operating costs) for small businesses and for livestock producers.
- Workforce training and retraining for un- and underemployed Nebraskans.
- Enhanced rural broadband access.
- Gallup-based leadership training to promote positive outcomes for impacted businesses.
For more information, visit getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov. For questions, contact the Get Nebraska Growing info line at 855-264-6858.
Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
COVID-19 Client Letter - Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.
A Farmer, Rancher Guide to the CARES Act from the Nebraska Farm Bureau
Restaurants, Bars & Food Safety
Guidelines for Re-Opening Restaurants
From the Governor's Office
Guidance Documents
Retail Sales of Packaged Foods
Food Safety Resources
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Information
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Guidance
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Guidance
Unemployment benefits and information on short-term compensation programs for employees and businesses affected by COVID-19 from the Nebraska Department of Labor: http://bit.ly/33oKIeu
Information Lines
DHHS (statewide)
402-552-6645
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, seven days a week
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Information Line
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY 888-232-6348
Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT (English and Spanish), Monday–Friday
Websites with COVID-19 information
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Small Businesses
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Coronavirus Toolkit for Chambers, Business & Industry
U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet - Economic Injury Disaster Loans (English)
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Nebraska Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (English)
New CDC guidance for workers in critical Infrastructure
Get Nebraska Growing: DED to Co-Administer COVID-19 Relief Grants
Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will co-administer four new State grant programs — utilizing $392 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act COVID-19 Relief funding — to help support Nebraska’s economic recovery.
The grants are designed to provide assistance to individuals, families and businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19, and will fill gaps by addressing four critical areas of need:
- Financial support (i.e., support for operating costs) for small businesses and for livestock producers.
- Workforce training and retraining for un- and underemployed Nebraskans.
- Enhanced rural broadband access.
- Gallup-based leadership training to promote positive outcomes for impacted businesses.
For more information, visit getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov. For questions, contact the Get Nebraska Growing info line at 855-264-6858.
