As lawmakers work on the next phase of corona-virus aid relief, Congress will consider measures to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a small business relief measure credited for helping to stem massive job losses experienced since March. Most equine enterprises classify as small businesses and do not necessarily have “in house” resources to monitor availability of educational tools to survive the pandemic. Many of these small businesses turn to educational, non-profit groups to leverage limited resources. By expanding eligibility to participate in PPP to a broader variety of non-profit entities, such as 501(C) 5 and 6 groups, Congress can secure a much-needed pipeline to expedite delivery of resources for the horse industry! Some examples of groups that would benefit directly or indirectly from expanding the scope of PPP include breed associations, horse shows, county fairs, and farm bureaus.
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Here is the letter that the Oregon Horse Council sent to Representative Waldon, and Senators Wyden adn Merkley today:
RE: Please extend PPP funding to 501c6’s
Date: July 20, 2020
On behalf of the Oregon Equine Industry, the Oregon Horse Council appreciates that Congress has been providing historic relief measures during the health and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The landmark Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is an important component of the recovery effort.
There are thousands of nonprofits formed as a 501(C)(6)’s (such as chamber of commerce’s and trade associations like the Oregon Horse Council) that support or promote critical essential professions, industries, small businesses, and workers. Many of these are important ag-focused, non-profit groups that serve as key resources for farming best practices, market data, educational outreach, agricultural education, agri-marketing, farm and ranch life, youth in agriculture, rural life, and most urgently, pandemic-related assistance. Without the benefit of 501(c)(6) operations, a diverse group of family farms, horse breeding operations, county fairs, horse shows, and overall trade associations will lose an important resource for tools necessary to move beyond the pandemic and resume their roles as top job creators.
By extending emergency loan eligibility to an enlarged group of not for profits, Congress will provide a necessary tool for the SBA to accomplish congressional objectives pursuant to the largest economic rescue package in American history. Giving more not for profit organizations the means to remain in operation during the crisis will help preserve jobs and expedite delivery of pandemic-related information to rural employers and workers.
Sincerely,
The Oregon Horse Council
The AHC promotes and protects all horse breeds, disciplines and interests by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry itself every day.