As the VOICE of Big Sky business – for YOUR business, the Big Sky Chamber wants you to know that our Board and Staff are here to support you. We are currently collaborating with local, state and national organizations to put emergency funding mechanisms in place to safeguard and ensure your stability through these unprecedented times. The Big Sky community has proven time and time again that it can #StandStrong in the face of what appear to be insurmountable challenges. We will continue to provide updates and additional resources to you here.
- The Big Sky Chamber and Visit Big Sky | Big Sky & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Information Center are working remotely as of Tuesday, March 17th, but staff is accessible by email at info@bigskychamber.com and info@visitbigskymt.com.
- To contact Candace Carr Strauss, CEO of the Big Sky Chamber and Visit Big Sky, email candace@bigskychamber.com, candace@visitbigskymt.com, or call her directly at 406-640-1331
Big Sky Chamber EMPLOYEE | EMPLOYER Assistance Hotline!
On Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm YOU can call this hotline to answer all of your COVID-19 related questions. Individuals should call (406) 813-6151, and business should call (406) 813-6153.
Disclaimer: The information provided may not apply to your specific employment or tax situation. Please direct any HR, and tax preparation and filing questions to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, a professional tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Big Sky Chamber Employee | Employer Assistance Hotline cannot answer specific questions about your employment or tax situation, or assist in the tax filing process.
Big Sky COVID-19 Community Updates
- The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America – 15 Days to Slow the Spread
- Governor Bullock Declares State of Emergency
- Governor Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- MONTANA RESPONSE COVID-19: Montana’s Dashboard of COVID-19 Cases
- $2 million Big Sky Relief Fund Announced
FEDERAL/STATE Emergency Economic Relief Efforts
Employer and Employee Resources
- PPP forgiveness – All available guidance on PPP is posted up on the SBA and Treasury websites. While the forgiveness portal is open for lenders, we have not seen a rush of activity just yet. I know there have been a number of news reports over the last few weeks talking about various “blanket forgiveness” type proposals, but so far, we have not seen anything come down. I have included the SBA and Treasury website links here as quick reference:
COVID-19 Legislation
- COVID I – Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
Enacted on March 6, 2020; Public Law 116 123 / H.R. 6074 Authorized up to $7 billion for Small Business Administration Coronavirus Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
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- COVID II – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Enacted on March 18, 2020; Public Law 116 127 / H.R. 6201
Paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave mandates, payroll tax credits, unemployment insurance assistance
HOW TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI):
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- Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Resource Guide and FAQs for Montana Employers and Employees
- DLI is experiencing an unprecedented call volume to their unemployment insurance claims processing help line. Unless you have received official notification from UI that you must call their call center, please search for your answer at dli.mt.gov/employer-covid-19 in order to free up phone lines for folks who are required to call in. VIDEO: How To File an Unemployment Claim on Montanaworks.gov
- COVID III – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Enacted on March 27, 2020; Public Law 116 128 / H.R. 748 - Part of the CARES Act is a recovery rebate available to eligible
Individuals with a Social Security Number (SSN) and who are not dependents may receive $1,200 (single filers and heads of household) or $2,400 (joint filers), with an additional rebate of $500 per qualifying child, if they have adjusted gross income (AGI) under $75,000 (single), $150,000 (joint), or $112,500 (heads of household) using 2019 tax return information. (The IRS will use 2018 tax return information if the taxpayer has not yet filed for 2019.) The rebate phases out at $50 for every $1,000 of income earned above those thresholds. - Tax Foundation FAQs: The CARES Act
- The Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package allocated $340 billion to the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which will provide 100% federally guaranteed and forgivable loans (grants) to small businesses who retain their employees or restore employees who were fired after February 15.Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.Follow the following links below for more information:
- SBA 7A Authorized Lenders by State
- U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship – Guide for SMALL Business to the CARES Act
- Information for Lenders: HERE
- Information for Borrowers: HERE
- Application for Borrowers: HERE
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Emergency Loans (PPP) Small Business Guide
- National Association of Counties (NACo) Analysis of COVID – III CARES Act (H.R. 748)
- NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses)
WEBINARS: EIDL vs PPPL
Coronavirus Part V: : UPDATE – SBA’s EIDL and PPP Loan Programs
Hosted on Friday, April 10, 2020, at 12 pm ET, which will cover new guidance information released by the SBA and Treasury on the EIDL and PPP Loan programs. Watch Now.
Coronavirus Part IV: How to Apply for a Coronavirus Small Business Loan
Hosted on Friday, April 3, 2020, at 12 pm ET, which focused exclusively on small business loan programs that are now available. Watch Now.
Coronavirus Part III: Financial Resources and Updates for Small Business
Hosted on Monday, March 31, 2020, which walked business owners and employers through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus bill, which will provide small business grants, forgivable loans, and tax relief. Watch Here.
- COVID IV – Already being discussed with Congressional Leadership; Congress will reconvene in May
LOCAL Big Sky Relief Fund – BigSkyRelief.org
The Big Sky Resort Tax District Board held an Emergency “Virtual” Board Meeting on Friday, March 20th wherein they announced the establishment of the Big Sky Relief Fund with the dedication of $1 million from Resort Tax and a $1 million match from the three Community Foundations of the private, residential clubs – Moonlight Basin, Spanish Peaks and Yellowstone Club.
The funds are aimed at three distinct audiences: 1) Bozeman Health | Big Sky Medical Center to address the public health pandemic, 2) Big Sky Community Nonprofit Organizations providing Big Sky individuals and families with a social safety net, and 3) Individuals and families directly impacted by COVID-19. Here is a detailed account of how those monies are looking to be spent.
$1 million from Resort Tax:
- $500k: Bozeman Health | Big Sky Medical Center for testing equipment, ventilators and the build-out of 4 additional hospital rooms; construction is already underway
- $500k: Reserved for Community Nonprofit Organizations serving those in need. The application to request funds is already up on BigSkyRelief.org and the Big Sky Community Food Bank for example has already received “Emergency Funding” from these designated dollars.
An Additional $410k Relinquished Back from Big Sky Community Nonprofit Organizations from Their FY20 Resort Tax Allocations:
- The Big Sky Chamber and Visit Big Sky relinquished funds comprise about $210k of these monies and they are being reserved at this time for a potential Micro Grant and/or 0% Interest Loan Program for our small businesses. With finite resources, we want to ensure not to duplicate relief being made available via the federal and state programs detailed above with the signing of the CARES Act into law. More information coming soon so check back often.
$1+ million MATCH from Moonlight, Spanish Peaks and Yellowstone Club Community Foundations
- Philanthropic assistance coming from the Moonlight Community Foundation, Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation (YCCF) to Bozeman Health | Big Sky Medical Center, Big Sky nonprofits, and individuals/families in need. The application for residents is “Live” as of Wednesday, April 1st. The funds will be distributed per a committee comprised of representatives of all three Foundations via the YCCF.
For our businesses located outside of the Big Sky Resort Area District, the Greater Gallatin United Way (GGUW) and Bozeman Area Community Foundation (BACF) have partnered to rapidly mobilize resources to those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in Gallatin, Madison, Meagher and Park Counties by co-launching the Southwest Montana COVID-19 Response Fund.
Other Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration has made emergency funding available for businesses experiencing substantial economic impact from the Coronavirus.
- Small Business Administration Express Loans
- Emergency Stabilization Fund (Federal Reserve Facilities and Programs)
- Small Business Administration Debt Relief for New and Existing Loans
- To contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center, call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – (@USDOL)
- Internal Revenue Service – Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry
- America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- MT Small Business Development Center Network
- Montana Nonprofit Association
Public Health Resources
- Healthy Gallatin | Gallatin City County Public Health Department
- For all COVID-19 questions, call 406-548-0123
- Madison County Public Health Department
- Montana Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force
- For information, call 1-888-333-0461 or email questions to covid19info@mt.gov. State public health officials will respond from 8am – 5pm, Mon-Fri.
- Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services –
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- Helpline number call 1-888-706-1535
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- Center for Disease Control
- World Health Organization
Big Sky Health, Food Assistance and Mail Delivery Resources
- Bozeman Health | Big Sky Medical Center
- Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center COVID-19 Preparedness
- All non-essential medical appointments have been halted at this time. Bozeman Health’s virtual care platform B2 Virtual Care is temporarily offering no-cost virtual visits to community members who may be experiencing flu-like symptoms including fever, dry cough, and fatigue.
- Big Sky Community Food Bank – Local Residents
- Expanded hours OPEN 4 days per week! Tues & Thurs 3 – 7pm, Weds & Fri 11am – 3pm.
- Pre-packaged food boxes, drive-up service, home delivery Fridays, and vouchers.
- Those quarantined, self-quarantined, and/or of suspicious health status will be allowed to order a food box dropped off to their home. Food box drops to homes will be done on Fridays – the box will be left outside your door and no other contact will be made.
- Big Sky School District #72 – Student/Resident Lunches
- Meals will be available for pickup 11am – 1pm, Mon-Fri inside the circle to the Bough/Dolan gym at the door of the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center keeping in mind the best practices of social distancing
- Governor Bullock Directs the Closure of Public K-12 Schools for Two Weeks; Extended to April 24th
- BSSD#72 transitioned to online learning on Mon, March 16th
- Kids Pack Program and Pantry is a program through HRDC Bozeman that provides meals to kids during the weekends.
- Roxy’s Market is helping those in need during this difficult time. Contact Josh Treasure, General Manager at 406.640.0458 if you need assistance with feeding yourself or your family*. FREE home grocery delivery to anyone 60+ or to those who are quarantined due to COVID-19 *Qualifications must be met to utilize the food assistance program
- The Country Market of Big Sky – For those needing extra assistance, the Country Market will be offering a delivery service. If interested, call 406-995-4636 or 406-581-5360. Orders can be placed over the phone or via email at bigskygrocery@gmail.com, and door delivery is offered between 5 – 7pm Mon -Fri.
- Transportation – Skyline Bus Schedule (March 23rd – April 19th) and Mountain and Canyon Cab Company | 406.600.4368 | Delivery as well
- Mail Pick-up and Delivery Assistance – Big Sky Post Office | Big Sky Community Organization
- For our Furry Residents – Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital
- Please call in advance to 801.572.5403 | Closed Sun
- Humans are being asked to wait outside the clinic for everyone’s safety
Behavioral Health: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
- Big Sky Women In Action – FREE Services for the Big Sky Community
View the Virtual Meeting Document here » - National Alliance on Mental Illness – COVID 19 Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Helpline: 800-273-8255
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.samhsa.gov/
Wellness Services
- Big Sky Natural Health is still offering in-office visits and house calls
- Lone Peak Performance is offering 1:1 and tele-health
- Santosha Wellness Center is offering private treatment and yoga classes
Tourism Resources
- U.S. Travel Association – https://www.ustravel.org/coronavirus
- Yellowstone National Park | National Park Service Operational Updates
- Visit Big Sky – COVID-19 Resources for Tourism Partners and Community Stakeholders
- Big Sky Trails are OPEN and being groomed 3 times a week
Restaurants / Retail Operations
*As of Monday, March 16th at 9pm, Gallatin County has imposed the following restrictions on Bars and Restaurants
- Orders the closure of all bars, brew pubs, wineries, distilleries with public tasting rooms, and casinos in Gallatin County effective Monday, March 16th at 9 p.m.
- Orders restaurants to close dining room services during the same time period but allows take-out and delivery service to operate; Allows limited exceptions for food service establishments that are the primary meal sources for a population that depends on it as one of its sole or primary sources of food, such a university-based dining facilities or cafeterias in hospital and care facilities; The restrictions do not apply to grocery stores, deli counters within grocery stores, or convenience stores.
*Governor Bullock Announces Closure of Dine-In Food Service and Alcoholic Beverage Businesses, and Other Activities that Pose Enhanced Risks to Curtail Spread of COVID-19; Extended through April 24th
Big Sky Restaurants & Retailers Offering #TakeOut and Delivery Options
Locally in Big Sky we are celebrating #TakeOutThursdays, but why not make EVERYday worthy of #TakeOut?!
- Alberto’s Mexican Cuisine | 4 – 8pm | 406.995.2326 | Drive-thru window is now open
- By W.O.M. | 12 – 7pm | Closed Sat-Sun | 406.995.2992 | Online Ordering and Delivery
- Cafe 191 | 7am – 5pm | 406.995.3232
- Caliber Coffee | 7am – 3pm; Sun 7am – 1pm | 406.995.7311
- China Cafe | 5 – 9pm | Closed Wed-Thurs | 406.995.4488
- Cosmic Cafe Bus | 8am – 5pm | 406.599.7269
- Gallatin Riverhouse Grill | 4 – 8pm Thurs-Sun | 406.995.7427 | Delivery or Curbside Pick-up
- Gourmet Gals | 406.995.7300 | Online Ordering
- Hungry Moose | 7am – 7pm | Both locations have closed to in-store foot traffic effective Monday, March 23rd | Town Center: 406.995.3045 | Mountain – 406.995.3075 | FREE Delivery (Orders of $35 or more) | FREE Online Ordering for Curbside Pick-up
- Lotus Pad | 5:30 – 9pm | Closed Mon-Tues | 406.995.2728 | Delivery (payments go directly to drivers)
- Lone Peak Brewery | 11am – 10pm | 406.995.3939 | Closed Wed
- Mi Pueblito Taco Bus | 9am – 7pm | 406.223.6421
- Ousel & Spur | 4 – 8pm | 406.995.7175
- Pinky G’s Pizzeria | 12 – 3pm, 5 – 8pm Mon-Thurs, Sun and Fri-Sat 12 – 9pm | 406.995.7492 | Delivery Fri-Sun only
- Roxy’s Market | 8am – 8pm | SENIOR HOURS 8 – 9am Mon-Wed-Fri | 406.995.7427 | FREE Delivery for Seniors 60+/COVID-19 quarantined and FREE Online Ordering for Curbside Pick-up STRONGLY ENCOURAGED; All customers asked to wear gloves while shopping, free at entrance.
- Slider’s Deli in the Conoco | 6am – 3pm M-F; 7am – 2pm Sat-Sun | 406.995.4275
- The Cave | 11am – 7pm | 406.995.4343 | Closed Sun | Offering Curbside Pick-up
- The Country Market of Big Sky | 6:30am – 8pm | 406.995.4636 | Orders can be placed over the phone or via email at bigskygrocery@gmail.com, with door delivery offered between 5 – 7pm | Mon-Fri
- The Rocks | 11am – 8pm | Liquor Store is Open | 406.995.2066
Email updates to: Candace@BigSkyChamber.com
