Top Headlines: Small business survival, Alabama lawmakers set date to reconvene

Caddell-Nan JV to build $110M project in Guam
A joint venture between Caddell Construction of Montgomery and Hawaii-based Nan has won a potential $110.4M contract from the U.S. Navy to build bachelor-enlisted quarters at Naval Base Guam. The JV will design and construct a building complex with multiple floors on Joint Region Marianas site to house unaccompanied U.S. Marines, the Department of Defense says. – GovConWire

Harbert Eminent Scholar Dave Ketchen talks small business survival
Loss of revenue is the biggest worry for most small business owners. Few owners have large stashes of cash in the bank and their ability to borrow is quite limited. Instead, they depend on weekly sales in order to pay their bills. Hopefully suppliers will work with their small business partners by relaxing payment deadlines. We’ve seen examples of that happening and it is in suppliers’ best interest to help their small business partners stay afloat. Suppliers make nothing from a bankrupted customer. – AL NewsCenter

How will small business loans work? Treasury updates on stimulus package
The Small Business Administration has released more details on its $349 billion loan program to give relief to businesses affected by coronavirus pandemic measures. The loan program was part of the $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law by President Donald Trump last week. According to the SBA, the Paycheck Protection Program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30. – AL.com

Alabama lawmakers set April 28 date to reconvene for rest of session
Alabama lawmakers met Tuesday afternoon and set a date in late April to reconvene, in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Twenty senators showed up for the session, which was enough to conduct business. Any legislator that was sick, at risk for serious health issues from COVID-19 or had been around someone who was sick was advised not to attend the session. – WHNT

Alabama exploring empty hotels to bolster hospital bed capacity
Gov. Kay Ivey said on a conference with lawmakers and state officials Monday that the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are considering using hotels, especially in Alabama’s large metro areas, to expand hospital bed capacity. The discussions come as public health experts warn that hospitals could face a surge in patients as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Alabama and hospitals begin reporting more hospitalizations. – AL Political Reporter

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FreightCar suspends production at Shoals facility until April 7
FreightCar America has temporarily suspended production at its facility in Colbert County after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. The facility will be shut for seven days and will reopen on April 7, FreightCar America said on Saturday. The 2.2 million-square-foot Shoals facility can build a variety of railcar types, according to FreightCar America’s website. – FreightWaves

State’s abortion ban via virus lockdown rejected by judge
Reproductive rights advocates claimed victory Monday when federal judges in Alabama and Ohio handed down decisions rejecting the three states’ temporary bans on abortions, which had been deemed “nonessential” during the coronavirus epidemic. The stoppages are in effect until April 13. – Business Insider

Alabama issues industry guidance on COVID-19, classifies insurance as essential
Alabama Commissioner of Insurance Jim Ridling has asked insurers writing business in the state to consider leniency and flexibility for policyholders in light of the current coronavirus outbreak, as well as confirmed that insurance operations can continue during shutdown orders. Ridling issued a bulletin to all admitted insurers authorized to write property and casualty insurance and life, health or disability insurance in Alabama, the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association and licensed premium finance companies. – Insurance Journal

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