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HLDC Announces COVID – 19 Business Assistance Program
From a 8/6/2020 Press Release:
Applications Now Being Accepted
Heartland Lakes Development Commission has created the Hubbard County COVID – 19 Business Assistance Program to provide emergency financial assistance for businesses that are experiencing financial hardships due to COVID – 19 related restrictions. The program is funded through participation agreements with local governments within the County that have received Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) resources provided to State, Territorial, Local and Tribal Governments under section 601(a) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).
The goals and objectives of this program are:
- To provide emergency financial assistance for businesses that are experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID – 19 related restrictions.
- Allocate CARES Act resources to this program from governmental units that have received excess funding.
- Ensure that this assistance will be beneficial to the business and in compliance with the Federal appropriation.
- Facilitate business survival, especially for small businesses during this pandemic.
- Enhance, to the greatest extent possible the retention of jobs throughout the County.
In order to be eligible for the funding, a business must be able to demonstrate that they were directly and adversely affected by COVID – 19 by documenting at least a 30% reduction in revenues as calculated by monthly sales from the period March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 compared to the prior year sales for the same time period. In addition, the business must have a physical commercial location in Hubbard County, be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State, be able to demonstrate financial viability and be current on all financial obligations as of March 1, 2020.
The maximum amount of assistance available is $20,000 which will be determined by the actual economic injury to the business, financial need and availability of grant funds. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, August 21st.
Applications may be submitted through the online portal at www.heartlandlakesdevelopment.com or by completing an application form. Applications are available at several locations throughout the County or by contacting Mary Thompson, Executive Director of Heartland Lakes Development Commission at (218) 368-7980 or mthompson@hrdc.org.
HLDC Announces COVID – 19 Business Assistance Program
Applications Now Being Accepted
Heartland Lakes Development Commission has created the Hubbard County COVID – 19 Business Assistance Program to provide emergency financial assistance for businesses that are experiencing financial hardships due to COVID – 19 related restrictions. The program is funded through participation agreements with local governments within the County that have received Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) resources provided to State, Territorial, Local and Tribal Governments under section 601(a) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).
The goals and objectives of this program are:
- To provide emergency financial assistance for businesses that are experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID – 19 related restrictions.
- Allocate CARES Act resources to this program from governmental units that have received excess funding.
- Ensure that this assistance will be beneficial to the business and in compliance with the Federal appropriation.
- Facilitate business survival, especially for small businesses during this pandemic.
- Enhance, to the greatest extent possible the retention of jobs throughout the County.
In order to be eligible for the funding, a business must be able to demonstrate that they were directly and adversely affected by COVID – 19 by documenting at least a 30% reduction in revenues as calculated by monthly sales from the period March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 compared to the prior year sales for the same time period. In addition, the business must have a physical commercial location in Hubbard County, be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State, be able to demonstrate financial viability and be current on all financial obligations as of March 1, 2020.
The maximum amount of assistance available is $20,000 which will be determined by the actual economic injury to the business, financial need and availability of grant funds. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, August 21st.
Applications may be submitted through the online portal at www.heartlandlakesdevelopment.com or by completing an application form. Applications are available at several locations throughout the County or by contacting Mary Thompson, Executive Director of Heartland Lakes Development Commission at (218) 368-7980 or mthompson@hrdc.org.
Missing Person Investigation in Outing MN
Press Release from Cass County Sheriff's Office:
Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that the Cass County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a missing person’s case in the Outing, MN area, near Eastburn Road.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office requests the public’s assistance in locating an adult male, Jamie Lucas, age 38, of Brainerd MN. Lucas was last seen on Friday, July 3, 2020. Lucas is described as a 6’4”, 180 lb. male with brown hair and blue eyes. Lucas fled on foot during a traffic stop.
The immediate area was extensively searched by officers and K9. Anyone with information about Lucas’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 218-547-1424 or 1-800-450-2677. No picture is available at this time.
Community Invited to Celebrate New Mural - August 7
by Lu Ann Hurd-Lof
Eighteen months after Ray Carlson, the new owner of Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, floated the idea of replacing a 15-year-old mural on the side of his building, a new painting will enhance the wall.
Muralist Lili Payne of Minneapolis and a crew will begin the work Monday, Aug. 3 and, weather permitting, will finish Friday, Aug. 7. A steering committee representing several community organizations have collaborated on the project, working with the artist on a design that would welcome people Downtown and convey the vitality of our shops, restaurants and the arts community.
Heartland Arts, the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association and our funders invite the community to join us in celebrating this new art work at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 along the sidewalk north of Aunt Belle’s.
For 17 years Payne has built a business as a scenic artist and muralist, her most notable clients being Macy's Special Events (Minneapolis and Chicago), the Loews Hotel Minneapolis, Split Rock Studios museum services, a 2017 feature film ("Wilson") and numerous public art commissions. Her murals are installed in businesses and organizations all over the country, but mainly concentrated in Minnesota.
Payne is a founding member and vice president of the Guild of Scenic Artists, a non-profit working to foster community, provide educational resources, and help with the industry challenges of professional Scenic Artists. For more about her work, go to http://www.gildedlili.com/.
This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Additional funding is from Aunt Belle’s Confectionary & Grandpa’s Cabin, the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association, Enbridge, Precision Pipeline and Viking Mat Company. Paint is being provided by Benjamin Moore and Cwikla Ace Hardware. Thanks also to the Park Rapids Lions Club for providing volunteers to paint the base coat.
Uninsured Minnesotans Can Get Free COVID-19 Tests
New health care option covers cost for many residents in need
Many uninsured Minnesotans can get tested for COVID-19 at no cost to them during the federal public health emergency, thanks to a new health care option.
The state will cover the cost of testing for individuals who apply and meet all of the following conditions:
Be a resident of Minnesota.
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawfully present noncitizen with an immigration status that qualifies for Medical Assistance.
Provide their Social Security number unless they meet an exception for not having one.
Not be enrolled in any other health insurance.
How to apply
Information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website at www.mn.gov/dhs/health-care-coverage. The site also has information about programs to help Minnesotans having a hard time paying their health care bills during the pandemic. Uninsured Minnesotans can print the application for free COVID-19 testing. They can also ask the health care provider administering their COVID-19 test for the application, or call the DHS Health Care Consumer Support team at 651-431-3994 or 800-366-5414 to request an application be mailed to them. Applicants will get a notice in the mail with a response to their request.
The 2020 Minnesota Legislature passed a law authorizing this new coverage.
Insurance options available for Minnesotans
Uninsured Minnesotans looking to get health care coverage have options. Visit MNsure.org to see if you qualify for low- or no-cost health insurance through MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance or qualify for a special enrollment period to enroll in private health insurance.
It was reported that on Saturday July 11th 2020 the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of two missing juvenile females from a residence in Sylvan Township, rural Pillager MN.
The two juvenile sisters were believed to have left voluntarily on their own on foot in the evening hours of July 10th or early morning hours of July 11th.
Sheriff Tom Burch reports that both girls were located safe. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Pillager Rescue thank the many individuals from the Pillager area for their assistance in the search efforts.
Longville ATV Crash Results in Fatality
Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that on Sunday, June 21st 2020 at 8:10 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a medical emergency at a residence in Woodrow Township, rural Longville MN. EMS arrived and began treating an adult male. It was learned that the male had been involved in an ATV crash earlier in the evening. Deputies arrived and continued the investigation. Lifesaving efforts were performed, and the victim was pronounced deceased. The identity of the male, age 57 of Eden Prairie, is being withheld pending notification of family members. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Assisting at the scene was North Memorial Ambulance, North Memorial Air Care and the Longville Fire Department.
2020 Legends and Logging Days and 4th of July Parade Cancelled
On Tuesday June 9, the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce met to discuss two of our major upcoming events, namely the July 4th Parade and Legends & Logging Days scheduled for Aug. 8. After lengthy discussions, the board and staff have decided to cancel both events for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In making these decisions, the chamber believes there is still a large degree of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 virus and anticipates social distancing restrictions will still be in place at the time of both events. “Given the nature of both events, the current social distancing guidelines outlined under Governor Walz’s Executive Orders requiring crowds of less than 250 persons and the necessary lead time to prepare, we just ran out of time and could no longer delay in making these decisions,” said Chamber President/CEO Butch De La Hunt.
“Both these annual events draw large crowds from surrounding communities and are widely attended by our visitors. The Chamber’s core focus was centered on the health and well-being of the attendees, volunteers and participants,” he added..
“These decisions are extremely tough as I know these events are treasured and beloved traditions that have been around for decades in our community. The board and staff came to the agreement that this is what was best for this year. It involves hundreds of hours in the planning and arranging for volunteers and participants to host these events. We simply had to make these calls now so people can plan accordingly.
“Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to next year."
Minnesota Officials Confirm Case of COVID-19 in Hubbard County
- 05/23/2020, 11:30am CDT
