The Wellness Council’s top priority is the safety of its employees, members, investors and other partners/guests. While there is a large volume of information being circulated about the coronavirus pandemic from a wide variety of sources, we encourage you to utilize the information below in helping make the decisions that are best for your organization. You may also submit a related question that will be answered by staff or private sector professionals.

Road to Recovery Policy Agenda

The Indiana Chamber endorses a gradual re-opening of the state’s economy, recognizing the ongoing importance of health and safety. We must get back to a level of business activity that resembles some sense of normalcy. That need is reinforced by the findings of our recent Economic Road to Recovery Survey of member companies across the state.

What you will find below are education and tools to help you restart your business. A “submit a question” feature enables you to get answers to your specific questions by staff or private sector professionals. The Chamber will continue to offer free webinars led by legal, HR and other professionals on a wide range of topics designed to help your business emerge from this crisis.

FREE Employer Webinars and Replays

– July to be determined
– Missed one? Zoom replays available (18)

On May 1, Governor Eric Holcomb outlined the next steps in getting the state back to business. The five-phase plan, called Back on Track Indiana, details a comprehensive process for reopening the economy, continued social distancing guidelines and more. June 11 Executive Order

NOW ONLINE! Indiana’s Small Business PPE Exchange: To qualify to receive free masks, hand sanitizer, etc., businesses must have less than 150 employees, operate a restaurant OR be in retail sales, personal services or office environments, plus be registered with the Indiana secretary of state to do business in Indiana. Officials have said this source should be a company’s last resort to acquiring PPE. Order form.

Health Latest

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Indiana State Department of Health: State-Specific Updates
Indiana State Department of Health hotline: (877) 826-0011 from 8 a.m. to midnight daily
Be Well Indiana: Free mental health resources from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Indiana Medicaid: Telemedicine, telephone options available
Indiana Rural Health Association: Connecting Kids to Coverage-Indiana
Anthem: Coronavirus and COVID-19: What You Need to Know
Johns Hopkins: Coronavirus at a Glance

Government / Community Assistance

Back on Track Indiana: Comprehensive process from Gov. Holcomb for reopening the economy, continued social distancing guidelines and more.
*** UPDATED *** U.S. Treasury: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Revised guidelines (June 12); Progam extension approved (June 5); Loan forgiveness and application; Forgiveness calculator | Program overview (funds still available); Lender information; Borrower information; Application; FAQ
** NEW *** U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Updated PPP information; new EZ Loan forgiveness application; EIDL portal reopens (June 18)
State Assistance to Aid Economic Recovery (May 29): Governor Holcomb press release announcing new program; Small Business Restart Fund: Eligibility and details; Economic Activity Stabilization & Enhancement (EASE)
U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): Includes a Q&A, fact sheet for employers and fact sheet for employees. FFCRA poster and FAQ on posting requirements
U.S. Department of Treasury on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Overview: Includes information for small businesses and workers/families
Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist
U.S. Small Business Administration Coronavirus Disaster Loans: Application deadline is December 18, 2020, but you are encouraged to apply ASAP. Free advising and application assistance via Indiana Small Business Development Center.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: SEC temporarily relaxes crowdfunding rules. Federal Register notice | press release
OSHA’s Response to Workplace Safety and Coronavirus Exposure: Overview of agency guidance during the coronavirus
IRS COVID-19 Tax Credits FAQ: Details reimbursement process for the emergency paid leave provided by small and midsize businesses
Coronavirus Assistance Toolkits From U.S. Senators: Sen. Todd Young and Sen. Mike Braun (send comments/questions to [email protected])
Indiana Chamber Road to Recovery Policy Agenda: The goal is to help achieve both short-term relief and long-term economic growth for Hoosier businesses and their workforce. More than 30 recommended policies fall into six areas: economic stimulus, employment, federal, health, tax and unemployment. The list has been shared with Governor Holcomb and his Economic Recovery Task Force, state legislators and the Indiana congressional delegation.

Tools You Can Use

Ice Miller: Indiana Chamber legal counsel has a resource center for businesses on coronavirus in the workplace
Protecting workers: OSHA home page (for continued updates); initial guidance summary
COVID-19 Cleaning Guidance for Businesses: Direction from the Indiana State Department of Health
** NEW *** Ivy Tech assistance: Free classes and trainings for 10,000 participants in a range of relevant high-demand areas
*** NEW *** Indiana Chamber webinars replays: Applying for Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness on June 11; COVID-19 Protection Planning for Your Business in Legal, HR and Location/Social Distancing on May 19; Getting Employees Back to Work Safely presented by OurHealth on April 27
Be Well Indiana: Free mental health resources for your employees from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD): Comprehensive guidance for employers and employees as they work through unemployment, rolling layoffs and re-engaging the workforce. Unemployment insurance FAQ for Claimants and FAQ for Employers
Take Advantage of Various Tax Provisions in the CARES ACT: Indiana Chamber’s tax expert Bill Waltz offers brief overview
COVID-19 Screening Tool: Employees can evaluate symptoms with Apple’s in-home health assessment and understand possible next steps
*** NEW *** State-by-state business reopenings: Interactive map
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating the coronavirus and impact on business

Continued Call for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

If your company can donate current inventory or possibly manufacture any of the PPE listed here for use by Indiana health care professionals, please use the state of Indiana’s dedicated email address, [email protected]. If you would like to donate any of these supplies directly to your local hospital, use the Indiana Hospital Association’s dedicated email at [email protected] for contact information. PPE Sourcing Input Form

Wellness Council/Chamber Operations as of May 1

The Wellness Council/Indiana Chamber office remains closed to visitors. All staff is working remotely and is available to help meet your needs
Employee training conferences and seminars for May and June are being conducted on a virtual basis or rescheduled for a later date. Registered attendees will be informed of changes impacting their events, and the Wellness Council/Chamber web site will be updated with the latest information
The 2020 Best Places to Work in Indiana awards dinner and program has been rescheduled for August 24 at the Indiana Convention Center

We will, of course, be monitoring ongoing developments, re-evaluating and keeping you informed of changes. We encourage you to take the best steps necessary for your individual organization. We are confident that the many positive attributes of Hoosiers will help us all persevere through these challenges and thrive once again for many years to come.

Upcoming Events