Calling all small businesses developing research and technology with potential for commercialization: Innovate Alabama, BIO Alabama, Innovation Depot, Innovation Portal, HudsonAlpha and Southern Research are hosting a free virtual workshop where you will learn how to submit an application for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to consult with the experts on application best practices. Register here: https://bioalabama.com/event-4914264.

Alabama Restaurant Week showcases the appreciation our locals and visitors share for Alabama restaurants and their staff. This culinary event unites Alabama’s diverse range of cuisine over a two-week celebration held August 12-28, 2022, throughout the state. We encourage visitors to frequent the state’s restaurants during Alabama Restaurant Week, and while you’re at it, try one of Alabama’s 100 Dishes.

Find out more here: https://alabama.travel/alabama-restaurant-week

Essential Work in Unprecedented Times

A virtual webinar for grocery workers & employers in the Southeast region

Please join the Wage and Hour Division and OSHA for this virtual webinar
as we discuss what compliance looks like in the pandemic
environment and beyond.

June 30th 1:00-3:00pm

Register Now

Download PDF

The Governor’s March 13, 2020 Proclamation of Public Health Emergency and subsequent Supplemental Proclamations, in particular the Supplemental Proclamation of March 20, 2020, will expire July 6, 2021

Accordingly, the April 6, 2020 memorandum “State of Alabama Public Health Emergency, COVID-19 Movement of 90,000 lbs. Gross Weight on Five and Six Axels **REVISION No.2** March 24, 2020 Version and All Earlier Versions are Superseded” will also expire on that same date.

After July 6, all five-axle and six-axle vehicles must comply with the applicable weight requirements of Title 32 of the Code of Alabama (1975).

Read the Advance Notice of Expiration and Associated Documents

News Release
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2021

ADOL Encourages Alabamians to Protect Information, Report Unemployment Fraud

MONTGOMERY – Alabama, like most states across the country, has been experiencing an increase in recent fraudulent activity related to unemployment insurance. This includes claims filed using stolen identities or unauthorized access to an individual’s account, as well as computer-generated claims from a single employer that exceeds the number of employees, or claims filed on behalf of employees that never worked at the business they are being filed against. Unemployment insurance fraud is a national issue, and ADOL is working closely with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and other states around the country to share information regarding known bad actors or methods of attack.

It’s important to note that ADOL has not been compromised and personal information is not being obtained via the agency. Criminal organizations are using highly sophisticated algorithms and programs to attack states’ unemployment systems. Fraudsters are obtaining identity information from many sources, such as from fraudulent phishing scams or recent large-scale private sector breaches that included private information from millions of individuals. Social media and text scams have also been used to obtain information as fraudsters portray themselves as agents of ADOL.

ADOL is constantly developing new technology and methods to combat fraud and to prevent it from happening. This week, ADOL will roll out a new sign-on system designed to protect claimants’ identities. It will allow users to login using existing global provider sign-in information from Google, Apple, and Microsoft, and will provide a dual-authentication login.

ADOL is encouraging claimants to protect their personal information, sign-in credentials and passwords. Establish PIN and passwords that are difficult for an outside person or computer to generate (for example, avoid using the last four digits of your social security number or date of birth).
Please be on the lookout for any suspicious activity related to unemployment claims. Indicators of fraudulent activity can include:

• Mail from ADOL notifying you of a claim in your name when you have not filed an unemployment insurance claim.
• A 1099-G from ADOL stating you have income from unemployment insurance when you have not filed for or received unemployment insurance during the last calendar year.
• Text messages from ADOL asking you to verify your account. ADOL does not communicate via text message.
• Employers receiving claims notices on employees that do not exist, or never left the job.
• Anything you may suspect as fraudulent banking activity.

If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it to ADOL via the website at www.labor.alabama.gov.
Additional information is available online from the United States Department of Labor.

Read on ADOL’s Website

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Members of the media seeking more information should contact Communications Director Tara Hutchison.

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MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued her twenty-sixth supplemental emergency proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order, the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic health orders. Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. This order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 and extends until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

Read on Governor’s Website

• Safer Apart Order
• Safer Apart Spotlight
• Twenty-sixth Supplemental Emergency Proclamation

Mask Signage

• Mask Preferred
• Mask Required for Service
• Please Wear a Mask
• Thank You for Wearing a Mask
• Thank You Gradient

March 24, 2021 | Release Number 21-24

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

“More than 3.7 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide low-interest emergency working capital to help save their businesses. However, the pandemic has lasted longer than expected, and they need larger loans. Many have called on SBA to remove the $150,000 cap. We are here to help our small businesses and that is why I’m proud to more than triple the amount of funding they can access ,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time. SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date. Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.

This new relief builds on SBA’s previous March 12, 2021 announcement that the agency would extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022 to offer more time for businesses to build back. In order to shift all EIDL payments to 2022, SBA will extend the first payment due date for disaster loans made in 2020 to 24-months from the date of the note and to 18-months from the date of the note for all loans made in the calendar year 2021.

Questions about SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be emailed to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing).

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.­

Read on SBA Website

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday revealed signage for business owners to encourage employees and patrons to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The current health order mandating statewide mask-wearing will end at 5 p.m. on April 9, 2021.

“After April 9, masks will no longer be a mandate, but they remain one of the most successful tools we have to keep folks safe from COVID-19,” Governor Ivey said. “I hope these are helpful to businesses around the state as they set their own protocols to operate safely. Masks are soon to be a memory but until then, let’s wear them out!”

Read More

On February 26, 2021 the U.S. Department of Justice issued a Fraud Alert for Unemployment Insurance claims after the issuance of erroneous forms 1099-G. See Issuance of Erroneous Forms 1099-G due to Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims

The link provides information about fraudulent claims and links to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and state UI offices.

Fraud has become a significant issue not only for the temporary federally funded programs (e.g. PUA, PUCA and PEUCA) but also as the volume of regular unemployment compensation claims increased due to the COVID-19 recession. Increased fraud and overpayments are now being reflected in 1099-Gs sent to individuals with amounts recorded as having been paid to the individuals that were actually claimed and paid to others through fraud.

By: Lesley Fair | Jan 13, 2021 2:31PM

Fraudsters have concocted a new COVID-related scam and this time they have businesses in their sights. According to reports, business owners are getting emails that appear to be about government-sponsored loan programs. But they’re really phishing messages trying to trick people into turning over personal information. The FTC has tips on how to spot the latest scam and how to defend your company’s good credit – and your good name – against other coronavirus cons targeting businesses.

Here’s how the hustle works. An email appears in your inbox that claims to come from the “Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance.” According to the message, you’re eligible for a “personal/business loan of up to $250,000” and it’s easy to apply. Just fill in your name, address, cell phone number, date of birth, and Social Security number. The email is signed by a purported “loan specialist” at the SBA.

A little CSI-style investigating can help you spot aspects of the email that should move your Shady-o-Meter into the red zone.

A message from a government agency that shows up without any prompting from you? Given FTC warnings about government imposter scams, that should activate your deflector shields. An unsolicited “personal/business loan of up to $250,000” for which you’re already eligible? In your dreams, but not likely in the real world. A request for personal information, including birth date and Social Security number? Email, welcome to the trash bin.

What about the fact that there really is an SBA Office of Disaster Assistance, its mission really is – to quote the email – “to provide low interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes,” and the email appears to come from a legit-sounding “loan specialist”? That just proves the con artist knows how to cut and paste.

Phishing attempts aren’t the only form of financial deception that business owners are reporting. We’ve heard from companies that have applied for loans through websites that falsely claimed an SBA affiliation. That tactic has already resulted in an FTC law enforcement action and multiple FTC-SBA warning letters. We’re also hearing from business executives who have been contacted to repay loans they never took out. The likely culprits? Criminals who combined bits and pieces of stolen personal information to get a loan in someone else’s name or the name of their company.

To stay afloat in uncertain economic times, a lot of business owners are looking for capital either in the form of the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which has been extended to December 31, 2021, or from other lenders. Regardless of where businesses are looking to borrow, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself.

Check your credit report regularly. The worst time to learn that someone has taken out a loan in your name is when you’re applying for a loan yourself. So check your credit report before you start looking for a business loan and monitor it periodically. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com, the authorized source for the free reports consumers are guaranteed by law. In addition, the three major credit bureaus are offering free weekly online reports to consumers through April 2021. (Of course, if you’re not currently in the market for a loan, freezing your credit offers an extra – and free – measure of protection.) If you’re concerned that a loan may have been taken out in your company name, consider whether to check separate services that maintain credit reports about businesses.

Seek out reliable sources of information. Looking for a business loan? Don’t click on a link in an unsolicited email. And don’t play Financial Disaster Roulette by typing terms in a search engine and trusting what shows up on your screen. Scammers often bait their online traps with sound-alike names and URLs, phony endorsements, and professional-looking websites. The safest bet is to start your search at www.sba.gov, the official site of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Or reach out to a trusted financial institution in your community.

Check out lenders before sharing personal information. There’s a reason why info outlaws sometimes masquerade as lenders. It gives them the perfect excuse to ask for highly sensitive data – information that crooks use to get loans in an unsuspecting business owner’s name. So don’t leave a trail of personal information by filling out lots of online applications with lenders you don’t know. Take a more selective approach and investigate prospective lenders first. If you spot something amiss, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Follow the Business Blog for updated information about small business loans and COVID-related scams that could target your company.

Read on the FTC Website