Stimulus resources, DEQ update, tips on keeping the industry open

REMINDER: Application to the Paycheck Protection Program starts today, April 3. The program, implemented by the Small Business Administration, will provide small businesses with fewer than 500 employees with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. The loans will be fully forgiven if an employer maintains or quickly rehires employees. Click here for program details and here for the application.

HBAV held a Tele-Town Hall meeting earlier today and covered the following topics:

Stimulus resources. Click here for information on the various disaster relief programs available. Also, contact your lending institution as soon as possible so you're not at the back of the line in receiving assistance.

Department of Environmental Quality. Although DEQ offices are open, the public is asked not to visit. The Tidewater Regional office can be reached at 757-518-2000. Click here for DEQ's new web site containing daily updates.

After temporarily suspending all field work, a limited amount of monitoring activity resumed April 1. 

On compliance and enforcement, DEQ will exercise reasonable enforcement discretion when deciding whether to pursue potential violations caused by pandemic-related disruptions. Click here for more information.

HBAV reminds members that although the construction industry still remains operational at the current time, no one should be conducting business as usual. Here are suggestions on how every member can help keep the industry open for business:

  • Maintain a healthy job site by following CDC and government guidelines. 

  • Post the Department of Labor's Families First Coronavirus Response Act poster (both English and Spanish versions).

  • Adjust your construction schedule to allow one subcontractor at a time on your site. (Better to have your work schedule slowed down instead of shut down.)

  • Consider assigning a 'health and safety manager' to each job site. Be proactive in making sure everyone is following safety guidelines.

As the national emergency continues to evolve, we'll keep you informed with Updates providing information from the localities and agencies you work with on a daily basis. 

You'll find links to a wide range of health, business and human resources information, including comprehensive resources from both the state and national home builders associations, on the CVBIA web site, along with the CVBIA updates sent out over the past few weeks. 

Best regards,

Ryan Rose, CVBIA President