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SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS ARKANSAS
Few programs have been more successful in the mission of supporting small businesses through this unprecedented pandemic than the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). More than 14,000 businesses in Arkansas have received $4.6 billion and through the program have helped save more than 375,000 jobs.
Despite this success, some small businesses are currently at a disadvantage with how the program is set up. Jim Keet (Chairman, JTJ Restaurants, LLC.), brought an idea to me to help small businesses qualify for further assistance. I plan on introducing a bill this week that reflects Jim’s idea and further supports small businesses across Arkansas. To announce my plans, I held press conference at Taziki’s in Little Rock where I was joined by Jim Keet, Montine McNulty (CEO, Arkansas Hospitality Association), and Gretchen Hall (CEO, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau).
The bill will ensure our small businesses, particularly restaurants, continue to get the help they deserve. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Arkansas and I am honored to be able to advocate for them in Washington, D.C.
MISSING AN ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT?
If you have not received a first or second EIP, or received less than expected, you can redeem them through the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. To redeem the credit, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you don’t usually file one.
It’s important to remember that the first and second EIP were advance payments of the recovery rebate credit. Most eligible people already received the first and second payments and should not or do not need to include this information on their 2020 tax return.
Note: The third round of Economic Impact Payments are being sent in phases and are not included in the 2020 recovery rebate credit. If you have not received the third EIP yet, it does not mean you won’t. To check the status of the most recent EIP, check the IRS’s Get My Payment tool, it updates nightly and over the weekend. For help with the application or question about any of the 3 EIP see Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions or contact my office at (501) 324-5941 and at hill.house.gov.
THE CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION IS UNDERWAY
The 2021 Congressional Art Competition is underway. It is open to all 8th - 12th grade students residing in Arkansas’s Second Congressional District. The winning artwork of our competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
To submit your artwork, please visit my website. The deadline to submit artwork is April 23 and must meet the following qualifications.
- Artwork must be two-dimensional.
- Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
- Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.
All of this year’s rules can be found here, and last year’s winners from Arkansas can be found here.
I look forward to seeing the work of central Arkansas’s young artists.
DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR SBA ADVERSE WEATHER LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small nonfarm businesses about the April 28th deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, high winds, and lightning that occurred from April 1st, through May 30th, 2020.
If your business is in White or Faulkner counties, and you own a small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperative, small business engaged in aquaculture, or private nonprofit organization of any size, visit the SBA website to confirm if you may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THOSE FACING HARDSHIP DUE TO COVID-19
The Department of the Treasury is continuing its emergency rental assistance program for those who have become homeless or are in need of financial support to stay in their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The program has made available over $11.5 million dollars in Pulaski County alone for those who need assistance. Every locality has had funds disbursed at different rates, so if assistance is needed you can contact local government websites, local housing groups, or my office to inquire about how you can apply.
Eligible households are those in which an individual has been unemployed for 90 days prior to application for assistance. Households with an income at or below 50 percent of the area median are to be prioritized for assistance. Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional 3 months if determined the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and funds are available.
Please contact my office for more information at (501) 324-5941 and Hill.House.Gov.
SOLAR VISITS IN THE DISTRICT
This week, I toured not one, but two Arkansas companies on the cutting edge of emerging technologies right here in North Little Rock.
I visited the L'Oreal Cosmetics company’s Solar Array, which was implemented by Scenic Hill Solar and its CEO, Bill Halter. I learned about developments in solar technology and how they are storing and distributing energy across the state. This is Arkansas’s third largest solar array and the state’s fourth largest solar project.
I visited with Seal Solar Warehouse + Evolve Auto. I toured their growing facility and learned about developments in electric vehicles and discussed issues facing this industry and issues related to renewable energy. I also learned more about trends and growth in battery technology and storage.
As Congress considers issues related to renewable energy, these visits with local stakeholders, business owners, and their customers are vitally important to my best representing you in Washington.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
