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A north Alabama lawmaker says he wants to ensure in the future some businesses canât be closed during states of emergency while their competitors remain open.
House Bill 103 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would allow businesses and places of worship to remain open as long as they comply with any emergency order, rules or regulations issued by the governor and state or local agencies.
âI saw local clothing stores, local boutiques, local sporting goods stores that were forced to close while other stores remained open selling the same products that those forced to close were selling, and I just didnât think that was right,â Kiel said about the springtime order meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses leaders urge Congress to pass virus aid for small businesses By Lydia Nusbaum | December 16, 2020 at 6:43 PM CST - Updated December 16 at 6:44 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Small business leaders are urging Congress to pass coronavirus aid quickly for small business owners.
“The longer Congress drags it out, if they don’t focus on Main Street businesses, then those businesses begin to lose hope,” said NFIB Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash.
More than 70,000 Alabama business owners received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program.
A recent NFIB survey said said the majority of Paycheck Protection Program borrowers in the United States have spent their entire PPP loan. The survey said if eligible, 45% of small business owners would apply or re-apply for a second PPP loan and 33% would consider applying.