Maui County of Office of Economic Development
Monthly Economic Indicators Report (01-29-20) + COVID 19 Resources As of 02/01/2021
1. Monthly Economic Indicators Report (as of 01-29-21 Attached)
It is our pleasure (Office of Economic Development) to forward you The Monthly Economic Indicators released on January 29, covering December 2020. Please note that the General Excise and Use Tax Liabilities have not been updated by the Department of Taxation (most recent data as of September 2020).
Click here to view the Monthly Economic Indicators.
The next MEI will be released around March 15, reflecting the annual benchmarking of labor force and unemployment and jobs.
This report is provided as a service from the Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Hawaii Business Research Library. Please feel free to distribute it to anyone who could benefit. If you received this from another person, and would like to be added to our distribution list for this report, please send me an email.
2. Public Health Emergency Rules, Amended January 19, 2021
Please see Public Health Emergency Rules, Amended January 19, 2021 at https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/125111/COM_Public-Health-Emergency-Rules
The amendments include:
- Rule 5a - Face Covering.
- #2. Face coverings must be worn while walking to and from the pool or beach area and may only be removed once the person is stationary and adequately separated from non-household members.
- Rule5e - Limited occupancy.
- essential or designated retail businesses shall limit total occupancy to 30 percent of the facility's maximum occupant load.
- Rule 11b - Quarantine Lodging.
- Persons subject to quarantine while awaiting Covid-19 test results must now quarantine at an approved hotel/motel. This now includes inter island travelers.
- Rule 12
- All travelers must download either the AlohaSafe App or other Google-Apple exposure notification (GAEN) system prior to entry into Maui County.
- Failure to register with a GAEN system prior to arrival into Maui County shall result in mandatory quarantine, except for any individuals under the age of 18, or who does not possess a mobile device. Only for those who do not possess a mobile device, at least one individual in their traveling party will be required to comply.
- Inter-island travelers whose negative test results are not available at the time of arrival, must quarantine at their place of lodging for 10 days or the duration of their stay in Maui County, whichever is shorter.
- Persons subject to quarantine who require paid or commercial lodging must quarantine at an approved hotel or motel.
- Children under the age of five traveling with their guardian who is approved for previously testing positive for Covid-19, will receive an exemption as well without providing additional documentation.
- Exhibit A #17
- Bars and restaurants must close no later than 10 p.m. This restriction does not apply to drive-through, non-liquor related take out, delivery or room service.
- Exhibit A #28
- Gyms, yoga studios, and similar venues, whether indoor or outdoor, must comply with Rule 5, and specifically must ensure that all occupants wear face covering at all times.
January 15, 2021 on MEDB News
Over 220 small business owners of Maui County logged in online on Thursday January 14, for the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) webcast on updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). They were joined by a small number from neighboring islands to tune into the sixth presentation of the COVID-19 Business Assistance Series, sponsored by the County of Maui.
Frank De Rego, Jr., Director of Business Development Projects, MEDB and Wayne Wong, Director of the Hawaii Small Business Development Center (SBDC) covered the application rules for new and existing borrowers with first draw and second draw PPP loans being available. They also provided updates to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
“MEDB appreciates all those who attended the webcast on PPP.” said De Rego, Jr. “MEDB provides timely and accurate information on programs that render crucial financial support to Maui Countyʻs small businesses, especially during this pandemic. We thank Wayne Wong of SBDC for his collaboration in this effort.”
The Economic Aid Act approved December 27, 2020 allows for another $284 billion in PPP forgivable loans — specifically designed to provide job retention (payroll costs) and some limited other expenses. Key updates to the PPP include:
•Covered period can be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet business needs
•Allows additional expenses: operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures
•Eligibility expanded to include: 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations
•Greater flexibility for seasonal employees
•Certain existing PPP borrowers now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan
•Clarifies that forgiven PPP, for tax purposes is not taxable gross income. Also, any otherwise deductible expenses paid with the proceeds of a forgiven PPP funds remain deductible
De Rego, Jr. and Wong discussed and answered questions on eligibility requirements, what the funds can be used for, forms and documents required, and how the loan forgiveness works. Applications for first and second draw PPP loans open 1/19/21 to 3/31/21 with participating lenders.
A further $20 billion was added to the EIDL Advance (Grant) program and applications can be accepted through December 2021. This is available for business owners who have not already received $10,000 in EIDL advance AND are located in a low-income community, have suffered an economic loss of greater than 30 percent, and employ less than 301 employees. The EIDL Advance application process is still being worked on by SBA and is at least another week or two away.
“I always appreciate MEDB’s webinars, they are timely, have good understanding of the subject and very helpful on staying on top of the current laws/regulations.” said Missy Dunham, a Maui-based bookkeeper who has tuned in to all of the COVID-19 Business Assistance Series.
A replay of the webcast is available here https://www.bigmarker.com/medbinc/COVID19-Biz-Assist-Series-Update-on-PPP-EIDL
Answers to the many questions asked during the call are here http://www.medb.org/small-business-owners-tunes-in-for-maui-bizassist/#qa6.
Click here to access the slide deck. http://www.medb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-COVID-19-PPP-Loan-3-peat.pdf
The impact of COVID-19 has changed how most small businesses do business. To address the challenges and to provide relevant information and practical guidance to as many businesses as possible, the COVID-19 Business Assistance Series webcasts can be viewed live or via the recording on any device. There is no charge to view. The series will help Maui County small business navigate the resources available to them, with clear step-by-step instructions. More topics will be explored to adapt to the changing landscape as we pull together to meet the challenges facing all of us.
To apply for PPP loans, please contact your local financial institutions.
4. Webinar: Pandemic Relief Options for Small Businesses by Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA offers several different relief options to help businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations recover from the impacts of COVID-19. New Coronavirus relief provisions were signed into law on December 27, 2020.
This training webinar will cover key elements of the legislation which includes the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and details the new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and application process.
What will be covered:
•Eligibility and allowed uses for PPP loans (1st and 2nd Draws)
◦Updates on how and where to apply for a new or additional PPP loan
◦How to prepare and work with your lender
◦Key improvements and changes to the PPP
◦Preparation for loan forgiveness
•Eligibility and allowed uses for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
◦How small businesses located in low-income communities may be eligible for the Targeted EIDL Advance
•Eligibility, program details, and how to apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant
•Where to get additional help
Technical assistance providers for bilingual and underserved small businesses are encouraged to attend. Q&A will be covered as time allows.
This webinar will be repeated twice weekly in the month of February. To allow for maximum participation, please do not register for more than one even.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Thursday, February 11, 2021 | 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Advanced registration is required.
REGISTER TODAY on Eventbrite at
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sba-hawaii-17058643441
To apply for the PPP loans and EIDL loans, please contact your local bank. To apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant, please continue to monitor this page for more details. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant
5. What is the status of a COVID-19 vaccine in Hawai‘i?
Please read about the current status of a COVID-19 vaccine in Hawai'i here. https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/
6. Please continue to use COVID related resources below
The latest travel rules: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/
Public assistance programs available in Maui County: https://mauinuistrong.net/
Please sign up for alerts and updates from the County: https://www.mauicounty.gov/list.aspx
Maui County COVID press releases and resources: https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information
Free Community COVID-19 Testing is available for all residents. Pre-register at: www.minitmed.com/pre-register-maui-covid-19
(No insurance or symptoms are required. *The test does not qualify for the State pre-departure test.*)