Category: Business

Senators support economic relief package

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, said two of his key priorities, purchasing medications through health savings accounts and the zoonotic animal drug designation, were included in the economic relief package passed by the Senate on Thursday.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said many of his priorities, including resources for Small Business Administration loans and support for health care providers, also were in the package.

The U.S. Senate passed the CARES Act on a 96-0 vote on Thursday. The bill, estimated at $2 trillion, then was approved by the U.S. House on Friday.

The bill provided direct assistance to individual Americans, an expansion of unemployment benefits and many assistance programs for various segments of the economy.

A statement from Sen. Roberts:


“The CARES Act provides one of the most powerful and timely economic relief packages in our nation’s history. Responding to the challenge of the novel coronavirus will require a collective effort from our entire nation. The bill that passed the Senate today represents ideas from both sides of the political aisle but with a shared purpose: to deliver a necessary financial bridge to American households, workers, and businesses through the economic shock from COVID-19.

“The comprehensive relief package provides emergency checks to individuals and families; cash flow assistance to protect workers and small businesses; significantly expanded unemployment benefits and availability; financial assistance to severely distressed industries of the national economy; and increased funding for hospitals and healthcare providers.

“The legislation includes S. 1089, the Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 and the Priority Zoonotic Animal Drug designation, Senator Roberts’ zoonotic animal drug priority.

“I’m glad to see two of my key priorities included in the coronavirus legislation. The Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 will make it easier to purchase medications through health savings accounts, which will help stop the spread of the coronavirus by keeping those who are experiencing mild symptoms out of the doctor’s office. The Priority Zoonotic Animal Drug designation will help treat future zoonotic diseases, like the coronavirus, before they cause serious harm to humans.”

Sen. Moran’s statement:

“Our country is facing a pandemic, and we must act now to make certain Kansans have the support they need to weather this storm. The CARES Act is far from perfect and includes many provisions I would not support in ordinary circumstances, but hospitals need supplies, small businesses need loans, farmers and ranchers need certainty and folks who are out of work, through no fault of their own, need relief. Through direct payments to families, assistance to hurting industries and strategic solutions to meet health care demands, Phase III will provide relief and resources to help make certain small businesses can keep employees on the payroll and reopen their doors when this pandemic has passed.

“Despite the bill’s many imperfections, I’m pleased a number of provisions I advocated for are included in this legislation, such as providing aid to the aviation industry and community banks and providing additional resources to the FCC as we utilize more broadband and telecommunications services to meet the economic and educational needs of families in this uncertain time.”

Sen. Moran’s priorities included in the CARES Act:


• Resources for SBA Loans: Improves the utility of the SBA’s 7(a) loan program by temporarily increasing the types of businesses, nonprofits, and lenders eligible to participate in the program, providing flexibility in the use of such loans, and instituting loan forgiveness measures to keep employees on the payroll.
• Support for Health Care Providers: Supplies $100 billion in direct assistance to health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. Also increases payments to Critical Access Hospitals during this pandemic.
• Resources for Critical Medical Supplies: Addresses medical supply shortages by providing $16 billion to procure personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other medical supplies.
• Resources for Vaccines, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, and other Medical Needs: Provides $11 billion for producing a vaccine and other medical supplies to prevent the virus and help treat it.
• Support for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Provides $4.3 billion to the CDC for public health preparedness and response.
• Support for Critical Research on COVID-19: Provides resources for research and development efforts of the National Science Foundation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Increase to Food Access: Provides $450 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks purchase, store and distribute food to people in need.
• Support for Veterans: Provides $19 billion for the Department of Veteran Affairs to treat COVID-19, purchase test kits and Personal Protective Equipment and support veterans during this pandemic.
• Support for Farmers and Ranchers: Includes $9.5 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide support to farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19, including livestock producers; and includes $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation to address challenges in the agricultural economy.
• Support for Manufacturers: Includes $50 million of additional funds to NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, which provides direct support to the nation’s small and mid-sized manufacturers, and none of the funds provided under this legislation would be subject to the cost share requirement that is a normal requirement for this program.
• Relief for Community Banks: Lowers the Community Bank Leverage Ratio, allowing banks to dip further into their capital reserves for increased lending during these times of stress. This will help banks quickly provide loans to those who need them.
• Relief for Aviation Industry: Provides $10 billion in relief for airports, including $100 million for general aviation airports.
• Support for Kansas Airports: Includes $56 million for essential air service (EAS), providing aid to the five EAS airports in Kansas.
• Support for Tribes: Dedicates $8 billion in economic support to tribal governments, plus $1 billion for Indian Health Services.
• Support for FCC COVID-19 Response: Helps the FCC prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.
• Removal of Regulatory Burdens: Fixes regulations in the paid leave mandate for small businesses.
• Support for Economic Recovery: Provides additional funding support to the Economic Development Administration to address national economic injury impacts resulting from COVID-19.
• Support for Rural Development: Provides additional resources for USDA’s Business & Industry Loan Program, USDA’s Distance, Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program and the USDA’s ReConnect Program to expand broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.

KCK police launch hotline to report businesses not complying with the stay-home order

Kansas City, Kansas, police have launched a hotline on Thursday to report businesses that are not compliant with the local COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

The stay-at-home order went into effect on Tuesday, March 24, in Wyandotte County.

Currently, according to Nancy Chartrand, public information officer for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, all businesses in Wyandotte County are compliant with the order, as far as the police know. She added that could change after they receive more hotline calls.

Police have received some past calls in which the callers did not understand the order and didn’t realize the businesses were listed as “essential businesses” that could stay open, she added, in a telephone interview.

One of those instances was Nebraska Furniture Mart, which is allowed to stay open under the “essential business” supplying needed goods and services, but has chosen to close its doors on Friday evening for the betterment of the community, she said. The store is changing to online and phone sales, with outside pickup and delivery available.

Some “nonessential” businesses have closed their doors in Wyandotte County, while other businesses, such as restaurants, have changed to carryout only.

Also, the “stay-at-home” ordinance allows anyone, essential business or not, to work on business at their own homes.

The ordinance that was passed applies not just to businesses, but also to nonprofit organizations and individuals. It also prevents gatherings of 10 or more people.

While the ordinance is called “stay-at-home,” it allows people to get out to the grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, medical appointments and other activities. It allows people to go out for walks and exercise, also.

If officers see a group of 10 or more people gathering in the community, the officers’ first priority will be to educate the persons, Chartrand said.

The situation with the stay-home order is something brand new, something the community has not experienced before, and the police understand it may be confusing, she said. Officers will tell people it isn’t a healthy situation to gather in large groups, it increases their risk of being exposed to the virus and also could expose someone else, she said.

Officers also have bilingual educational cards on COVID-19 that they will hand out to people, in case some people may not be aware of the situation, she said. It’s possible some residents may not have good information because of language barriers, she added.

The police department’s role is to enforce the ordinances, she said, and it has the ability to enforce them. They are in constant contact with the health department, she added.

Chartrand also wanted the public to know that the hotline number is for Wyandotte County only, not for businesses anywhere else.

According to the police department, residents may report any business or individuals that they believe are not complying with the “stay-at-home” order, by calling the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s special reporting line. The hotline number is 913-225-4788.

The phone line will be in operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. At other times, calls can be made to the police department’s non-emergency number at 913-596-3000, where residents may leave their name, telephone number, address of the business or individual who is believed to be noncompliant, a contact name for the business, and the nature of the perceived violation, according to police.

According to police, while they can enforce the order, they are asking for the business community to self-comply and eliminate the need for enforcement. If a complaint is received, officers will reach out and have a conversation to explain the “stay at home” order and answer questions in the hope of voluntary compliance, according to police. If an owner refuses to comply, a citation will be issued, according to a news release from police.

The police department listed examples of essential business as:

• Hospitals 
• Child care facilities 
• Government operations 
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities 
• Grocery stores 
• Construction only to the extent that they provide services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences or other essential businesses or are involved in health care operations, essential infrastructure or essential government functions
• Farms 
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities 
• Banks 
• Garbage collection 
• Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses 
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers 
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences

The complete list of essential businesses also includes the restaurants open for drive-through, delivery and carryout and not for dine-in; businesses that supply products needed for people to work at home; other businesses that supply essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate; taxis and other private transportation providers for essential activities and purposes authorized in the order; home-based care for seniors, adults and children; residential facilities and shelter for seniors, adults and children; professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist with legally mandated activities; businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes; and the news and media services. The complete list, with more detail, is at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/UG_EMERGENCY_HEALTH_ORDER_STAY_AT_HOME.pdf.

Owners who do not see their business listed should read the stay at home health order at wycokck.org/COVID-19 and exercise judgment that will keep them, their employees, and the community safe, according to police. The police are on social media on Facebook @KCKPolice.

NFM showrooms to close temporarily Friday evening

Driveway delivery, online and phone sales, and drive-through pick up still available

Nebraska Furniture Mart announced Tuesday that the company will temporarily close showrooms at each of its four locations, including the Kansas City, Kansas, store, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27.

The move was made because of continued public health concerns surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, according to a company statement.

There is not yet a timeline for re-opening – NFM is in the same boat as other businesses; they will continue to monitor the latest information and make adjustments as appropriate, according to a spokesman.

The NFM store in Omaha, Nebraska, closed once before in 1975, after a tornado destroyed parts of the city. Rose Blumkin, NFM founder, ensured the store would open a year later, citing the need to serve the community.


“Nothing is more important to us than being there for our friends and neighbors,” NFM CEO Irv Blumkin said in the statement. “In our 83-year history, we’ve made it a point to see our friends and family through trying times. We have taken the steps necessary to rise to this challenge and make sure people still have access to essential items they need to make this difficult period less stressful.”

In recent weeks, the company has proactively minimized the risk of exposure while serving customers and donating essential items to first responders in several markets, the spokesman stated.

Stores have operated with reduced hours since March 23. Employees who are able to work from home have been encouraged to do so, according to the spokesman. NFM has also encouraged customers to shop online and take advantage of contact-free drive-through pickup and driveway delivery options, which will continue to be available during the closing of showrooms.

“Like everyone around the world, our team has monitored this situation very closely as it has developed over the past few weeks,” NFM President Tony Boldt said. “We have been in communication with our local public health departments and followed their recommendations on how to best serve our community’s needs while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and customers.”

While the showrooms are closed, customers can still shop online at nfm.com or over the phone by calling 800-336-9136, ext. 22421. Warehouse and delivery staff are being coached on best practices as recommended by local health officials as well as the CDC and the WHO. NFM created a Pandemic Emergency Pay Plan for eligible NFM staff members making compensation available while work is interrupted during the COVID-19 crisis, according to the spokesman. Currently, there is no target date for reopening showroom floors.

“This situation evolves every day, sometimes by the hour and we will continue to monitor developments,” Boldt said. “We will continue to adjust our response as necessary. The health and safety of our staff, our customers and our community will always be our number one priority. We’re happy to serve our customers online, but we look forward to opening our doors again and offering the personalized service NFM is known for.”

Nebraska Furniture Mart was founded by Rose Blumkin in 1937 in the basement of her husband’s pawn shop in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1983, investor Warren Buffett purchased a majority interest in NFM and made it part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. Today, NFM is one of the nation’s largest home furnishings retailer, selling furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics. NFM currently has locations in Omaha, Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City, Kansas and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. For more information on Nebraska Furniture Mart, visit www.nfm.com.