The Inside Scoop on Doing Business with EMAs During Covid-19 and What Happens now that PPP Has Run Out?

On March 13th, President Trump declared a national emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was activated to deal with COVID-19. It was followed by the Nation’s Governors Declare Emergency and Requested Federal Assistance. What happened next? In the Capital Region, the following EMAs became engaged; Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), and the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) for the District of Columbia. Join in our conversation, learn how these agencies work in unison, and get tips on doing business with MEMA, VDEM, and HSEMA. Our speakers for this are Jorge Eduardo Castillo, MD COVID-19 Joint Information Center, External Affairs Manager and Branch Manager for MEMA, and  Curtis Brown, Chief Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management for VDEM.

The federal government implemented a stimulus package for small and minority-owned businesses to cushion entrepreneurs in the financial sector. However, SBA’s $349B Paycheck Protection Program officially ran out of money due to the unexpected number of applications. So, What’s Next? With the Small Business Administration “unable to accept new applications…based on the available appropriations funding,” how will small businesses unable to secure help in this first round be affected? Are new funds on the horizon? Are other programs available?. Get these insights with the speaker: Antonio Doss, District Director, SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office.

Tune in!

Here’s What You’ll Get In This Episode

[00:01] A warm welcome by the moderator; Sharon Pinder

[01:07] This webinar’s agenda and introduction to the team

[06:50] Tommy Marks- What happened?

[09:06] Jorge Castillo- Doing business with MEMA during covid-19

[10:09] What Maryland Emergency Management Agency focuses on

[11:08] Key things MEMA is looking for as a way of covid-19 assistance

[16:38] Hierarchy of emergency agencies from the federal level to the state level

[19:42] Curtis Brown- Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)

[20:03] Coordination between FEMA and VDEM in times of emergencies

[34:16] Measures they’ve put in place to support FEMA

[25:27]  Questions and Answers session for Jorge and Curtis

[32:45] Antonio Doss- PPP runs out of money… what’s next

[32:56] Results from the survey poll

[34:22] How did the clients react when PPP ran out of money

[35:43] What is a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan? 

[38:10] What happened with the PPP money?

[39:46] What should businesses do to prepare for upcoming loans?

[43:20] Second poll- Did you receive approval for the funds?

[45:15] How to find the status of your PPP loan application

[47:55] Applied for PPP but forced to lay off employees. Can you be penalized?

[49:33] Plans to ensure more loans go to the small and minority-owned businesses

[50:55] Antonio’s recommendation to businesses if the pandemic continues 

[53:24] Open Chat questions

[01:01:36] Wrap-up and call to action 

Notable Quotes

• A business without capital is like a body without blood. It can’t work.
• Before doing business with the federal government, it’s important to know the hierarchy and the agencies involved.
• Until the president signs legislation, you cannot act on it.
• It is good to do strategic planning to navigate through uncertainties of business.

Connect For More Info:

• https://crmsdc2.wpengine.com/
• https://crmsdccares.com/
• https://procurement.maryland.gov/
• PIO.mema@maryland.gov
• Vest.logistics@.vdem.virginia.gov
• Covid19offers@dgs.virginia.gov
• tmarks@mbda-fpc.com
• dsmith@mbdabc-cr.com
• sharon.pinder@crmsdc.org
• https://www.sba.gov/