New Pennsylvania grants available

We have just been informed that Pennsylvania has a new grant program that you may be eligible for. The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. This is not a first-come, first-served program. There will be multiple rounds of application windows. The application window for the first round of funding is expected to open on June 30th and remain open for 10 business days. Applications will continue to be accepted after 10 business days but will be considered for future rounds of funding. Additional rounds will be announced soon.
To learn more, click here: https://pabusinessgrants.com/
We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

PA Zero % Financial Help for Your Business

Yesterday (3/25), Governor Wolf announced a new zero-interest loan program for small businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA) is available to small business enterprises who are for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, proprietorships or other legal business entities located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and having 100 or fewer full-time employees worldwide at the time of submission of the application.

The program provides working capital, which for purposes of this program, is considered capital used by a small business for operations, excluding fixed assets and production machinery and equipment. Please review either the webpage or Fact Sheet links listed below.

All CWCA loan applications must be submitted through a Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO). Please contact your CEDO (see link below) for additional questions or assistance with completing the application.

HERE ARE THE IMPORANT LINKS FOR YOU:

CWCA webpage: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-working-capital-access-program-cwca/
CWCA Program Fact Sheet: https://dced.pa.gov/download/covid-19-working-capital-access-program-factsheet/?wpdmdl=93768
For the list of CEDO’s operating within Pennsylvania. Click on you county, information will pop up for you: https://dced.pa.gov/CEDO/

Program Loan Summary

Covid-19 Resources

A Preview of the CARES Act Resources for Workers and Families

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SEAY Management HR DOL Issues with COVID-19 Regulations -- March 25th Update

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DLI Facebook Group (Join Here) -- NEFA, SEFA, MAC and CCA started a Facebook Group to provide a forum for members to share questions, concerns, and experiences as we all try to adapt to the new reality in face of the pandemic. Due to the success of the Group -- and the need for every member to get as much information as possible -- we have expanded it to a DLI Facebook Group. This is a MEMBERS ONLY forum.

Corona Virus Handling Precautions

The information developed for this guidance was taken largely from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov. It is important to note that the information is still developing as world health officials learn more about this strain of virus. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust any guidance as needed.

Coviden 19 Stats -
•The virus is transmitted from person to person by exposure to large respiratory drops (by sneezing!), by direct contact. The infection itself takes place in the respiratory tract. The recommendation at this point is to take the same precautions as a flu outbreak. Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer and when sneezing do not cover your mouth and nose with your hand but sneeze into the crook of your arm.

•At this point based on knowledge from other viruses such as SARS, it is believed that the life cycle of the Coronavirus outside the body is very short: it is estimated to be less than 20 minutes. Exception to the rule: linen that is contaminated with feces or bodily fluids may remain infected for up to 24 hours.

Risks to Drycleaning & Laundry Personnel
The risk when transporting and cleaning linen from the general public is considered very small at this point. General standard hyenic procedures that you have outlined for your plant are appropriate such as

Wash your hands regularly

Cough and sneeze in the inside of your elbow

Use tissues

Routine cleaning of hard surfaces with a disinfectant

Availability of hand sanitizers throughout the plant and counter area

Drivers should routinely use hand sanitizers and wipe down the steering wheel and other hard

For More Information and to Download a PDF, click HERE

PDCA Wins Philly Drycleaner’s Plastic Bag Ban Fight

The proposal to ban all plastic bags in Philadelphia has been amended to exempt bags used by drycleaners. At a public meeting last month, executive director Carol Memberg, explained that such a ban would be almost impossible for drycleaners to comply with, and that their bags did not present a littering a problem. Todd McKenna from FM Supply and Nick Kashkashian from Frankford Machinery also gave important support for exempting drycleaners, saying that the bags were necessary to keep newly processed orders lint-free and together.

The legislation will now go to the full City Council for a vote.

From Tuesday’s (10/22) Philadelphia Inquirer: “Philadelphia City Council took a step toward banning single-use plastic bags Tuesday, as a Council committee voted in favor of a bill that would prohibit retailers from providing them to customers.

“The vote came after Councilman Mark Squilla, the bill’s sponsor, opted to compromise and remove a proposed fee for customers who use paper bags. The legislation will now go to the full Council. “The regulations would apply to retail establishments, including supermarkets, convenience stores, clothing and department stores, dollar stores, restaurants, food trucks, farmers’ markets, and delivery services. The legislation would also ban plastic bags used to hold newspapers and circulars. An amendment made Tuesday would exempt dry cleaners from the plastic bag ban.”

Webinar Explains How to Use Old Insurance to Pay for Environmental Cleanup

On September 25th, EnviroForensics, in partnership with PDCA, discussed how dry cleaners can use old insurance policies to pay for environmental cleanups.

The webinar provided a clear understanding of the multi-disciplined approach necessary to address environmental contamination, clear next steps, and an opportunity to ask questions. The entire webinar was a proverbial roadmap to addressing environmental issues while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

Today, almost every commercial business and property acquisition will require real estate and environmental due diligence assessments to determine if environmental contamination is present. Whether you’re refinancing your property, looking to sell your dry cleaning business or property, preparing to pass down your business to your children, or your neighbors are selling or refinancing their businesses, a due diligence assessment will likely be required for all sales and property transactions. If contamination is discovered, it can affect the value of your business or property.

An environmental investigation and cleanup can be confusing at best, or downright terrifying at worst. Whether you start out in complete control and can systemically walk through evaluating and managing your liability, are quickly forced into dealing with an environmental investigation and cleanup, or are just thinking into the future to prepare yourself; dry cleaners can minimize their liabilities and financial spending, resolve their environmental impact, and effectually add to the value of their business or property.

You can learn more about EnviroForensics tailored services for dry cleaners by going to their site at https://www.enviroforensics.com.

Pennsylvania Legislative Alert

Pennsylvania legislators are now considering an increase in the state’s minimum wage. Governor Wolf is proposing $12 an hour, with annual 50 cent increases to bring it to $15 by 2025. Any increase in the minimum wage will produce a ripple effect. Can you afford this? Many small businesses would find it crippling. We urge you to contact your legislator to ask that the measure be defeated. A sample letter is available from the PDCA office. If you have any questions, email us at leslie@pdclean.org or call 800-822-7352.