SBA Procedural Notice for PPP Loan Forgiveness
On July 23, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a procedural notice to lenders participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) concerning the loan forgiveness application process. The notice informs lenders that beginning August 10, 2020, they may begin submitting forgiveness applications through an online platform. The notice states that the SBA intends to […]
COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program Available in PA
On July 16, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the availability of $50 million in grant funding to assist employers in providing hazard pay to employees performing life-sustaining jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intent of the COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program (Program) is to ensure that front-line employees in vital industries are able to […]
What Governor Wolf’s Targeted Mitigation Efforts Mean for Pennsylvania Businesses
Rising COVID cases in counties across Pennsylvania led Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to implement targeted mitigation efforts. These efforts, which went into effect the morning of Thursday, July 16, 2020, reimpose limits on gatherings and reemphasize the importance of telecommuting. Here is how the order breaks down: The food […]
PPP Loan Updates – What Businesses Need To Know
On July 4, 2020, President Trump signed a new law extending the deadline for applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to August 8, 2020. As the program was initially set to expire on June 30th, this extension provides potential borrowers additional time to access the program under its existing terms. Currently, it is […]
Updated Guidance for Businesses Reopening in Pennsylvana
More than two months have passed since Governor Tom Wolf declared the closing of non-life-sustaining businesses. During these months of closure and stay-at-home, Governor Wolf introduced a phased reopening plan for Pennsylvania in which a three-phase approach (Red, Yellow and Green Phases) is used to determine when counties and/or regions are ready to begin opening […]
Webinar: Tips for International Trade in Covid-19 Era
On Tuesday, May 19 at 11 am, FLB International Business & Trade Law attorney Timothy D. Charlesworth will be presenting “Tips for International Trade in the COVID-19 Era,” in conjunction with LEXNET and the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center. Topics will include: Distributor Agreements Logistics Challenges Delays at Ports Changes in Export Rules Exporting […]
U.S. Restricts Export of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced a Temporary Final Rule (to be published and effective April 10, 2020), dealing with “Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use.” This Rule prohibits the export of enumerated personal protective equipment (PPE), including certain respirators, surgical masks and gloves. […]
COVID-19: PA Department of Health Order Directing Building Safety Measures
Since the Governor of Pennsylvania signed an Order Mandating Closure of All Businesses That Are Not Life Sustaining, many life-sustaining business and businesses operating under a waiver granted by the Department of Community and Economic Development have been struggling to implement appropriate new workplace/building safety rules and guidelines to keep employees and customers safe during […]
New International Commercial Terms Take Effect January 1, 2020
Most Exporters and Importers are familiar with INCOTERMS, the International Commercial Terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce every ten years. New INCOTERMS go into force on January 1, 2020, so this is a good time to take a fresh look at your contract documents and shipping/delivery arrangements. The Lehigh University Export Network (“LEXNET”) […]
Timothy Charlesworth Reviews US-China Tariff Impacts on Lehigh Valley Businesses With The Morning Call
Timothy D. Charlesworth, shareholder and chair of the Firm’s International Business & Trade Law group was recently asked by The Morning Call to comment on the impact of US-China Tariff’s on Lehigh Valley businesses. The article, “Despite Trump’s order, Lehigh Valley companies are staying in China” tackles the impact of the growing economic tensions between […]