Self-employed? Idaho grants are now available for those who need COVID-related help

Self-employed Idahoans can request grants to help keep their businesses afloat starting Wednesday, May 27.

The Idaho State Tax Commission is handling the applications. Up to $300 million in federal money is up for grabs, with grants worth as much as $7,500 each.

To be eligible, the applicant’s business must have suffered a qualified interruption and must be the primary source of income for the applicant, accounting for at least 50% of household income. A qualified interruption can be reduced sales, suspended operations, increased costs related to the coronavirus pandemic, or a shortage of materials resulting from supply-network disruption.

Applicants must have filed a 2019 resident income tax return in Idaho and must not have received money from other federal programs for the expenses that would be covered by the grant. Those who received assistance from the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for self-employed people are not eligible.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the close of business July 17 or until the money runs out, whichever comes first.

To apply, visit https://idahotap.gentax.com/TAP/_/.

Gas prices on the rise

Boise-area gasoline prices are expected to keep surging as Idaho reopens for business after the coronavirus lockdown, more people resume driving and demand rises, AAA Idaho says.

Idaho’s average gasoline price rose 12 cents in the week that ended Monday to $2.14 per gallon. Boise’s average rose to $2.24.

The latest increase follows a nation-leading 16-cent increase the previous week, AAA said.

“On one hand, you have more people commuting to work and patronizing brick-and-mortar businesses, which increases the traffic volume,” AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde said in a news release. “On the other hand, those who are staying closer to home are getting more involved in e-commerce, which raises the miles traveled by delivery vehicles.”

Campgrounds begin to reopen

Several campgrounds in Hells Canyon on the Idaho-Oregon state line and at C.J. Strike Reservoir near Mountain Home will open Friday as Idaho Power continues a phased reopening of recreational facilities that closed in March because of the virus.

Twin Falls Park and boat ramp, and the company’s park at Thousand Springs in the Hagerman Valley, also are expected to open Friday, according to a news release — as long as the state enters Stage 3 of its reopening plan and the company feels it is safe.

Not all areas will open, however. Copperfield Campground in Hells Canyon and Scout Park at C.J. Strike will remain closed until further notice. Campground restrooms and showers will remain closed.

Idaho Power said in the release that visitors should practice social distancing as much as possible.

Three new deaths reported in Twin Falls County

Idaho health officials reported three new coronavirus deaths in Twin Falls County on Tuesday. All three of the new deaths in Twin Falls were people over the age of 80, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

A reported coronavirus death in Ada County was removed Tuesday. Central District Health spokesperson Christine Myron said that a person who died in Ada County had tested positive for COVID-19 post-mortem, but a physician had determined the virus was not a contributing factor to the person’s death.

The new deaths and removed death leaves Idaho’s death total at 81.

Since Friday, new cases have been found in Ada, Canyon, Benewah, Minidoka and Bonneville counties, among others. However the counties with the most newly reported cases are Cassia, Jerome and Twin Falls, adding 11, 14 and 12 cases, respectively.

In total, 60 cases were added to the state’s total this holiday weekend. As of Tuesday evening, there are 2,463 confirmed coronavirus cases in Idaho. State health officials report there are 241 “probable cases” throughout Idaho.

The South Central Public Health District reported Tuesday it suspects community spread in Cassia County after a meatpacking facility in Jerome was found to be a hotspot for the virus. At least 44 workers at Ida-Beef, the slaughterhouse in Jerome, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Ida-Beef — which has been temporarily closed due to the virus — is the latest food processing facility in the state that has been the site of an outbreak. Facilities in Jerome, Weiser and Kuna have also reported dozens of positive cases since March.

Cassia County is now the 19th Idaho county with reported community spread. Areas with community spread consist of the following counties: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Minidoka, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.

Coronavirus cases have been reported in 34 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 746, Adams 3, Bannock 16, Benewah 3, Bingham 6, Blaine 499, Bonner 4, Bonneville 21, Camas 1, Canyon 266, Caribou 1, Cassia 49, Custer 2, Elmore 30, Fremont 2, Gem 13, Gooding 35, Idaho 3, Jefferson 5, Jerome 131, Kootenai 66, Latah 6, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 30, Madison 13, Minidoka 35, Nez Perce 73, Owyhee 8, Payette 19, Power 3, Teton 10, Twin Falls 330, Valley 2 and Washington 31.

Record Exchange reopens

Here’s some business news that will be music to your ears.

After shuttering temporarily, the Record Exchange in downtown Boise has opened again for limited-capacity shopping.

Customers must wear masks and sanitize their hands before entering the business at 1105 W. Idaho St. The store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Phone orders — (208) 344-8010 — and online orders for curbside pickup and shipping worldwide are still available.

Opened in 1977, the Record Exchange is the state’s largest independent music store.

Idaho issues guidance for gatherings and events

In a news release Wednesday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office issued guidelines for gatherings and events in the state.

The guidelines detail what event attendees and organizers should do to cut down on the potential risk of spreading the coronavirus. Included is a breakdown of what should be done during each of the four stages of Little’s Idaho Rebounds plan for the state.

Everyone at larger events should maintain six feet of physical distance, wear cloth face coverings in public spaces and practice good hand hygiene, among other recommendations. Event organizers should be in contact with local health districts when holding events, as well as hold events outdoors when possible, according to the governor’s plans. Event planners should also try to limit close interactions with patrons and frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces.

In Stage 2 of the governor’s plan — which is the stage Idaho is in as of Wednesday — events should be limited to 10 or less people where patrons can safely be six feet apart. In Stage 3, groups of 10-50 people are allowed so long as they can maintain physical distancing.

Finally, Stage 4 allows for groups of 50 or more if distancing can be followed. If the event has concessions, in-stand concession sales and buffet-style serving areas are prohibited.

For any events being held beyond Stage 4, event organizers should keep in mind local or state legal orders regarding group gatherings, as well as consulting local health districts regarding ongoing virus activity in the area. Event organizers should be in contact with patrons about the status of events and develop a contingency plan in the event that an outbreak occurs.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 12:52 PM.