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4.02.2020

Press Release: Fraud Alert for Thomas County Businesses!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1, 2020
Contact: Vernon Hurd, Executive Director
Phone: 785-460-4511
FRAUD ALERT FOR THOMAS COUNTY BUSINESSES

Colby, Kansas -- Vernon Hurd, Executive Director of the Thomas County Economic Development Alliance has received reports from Thomas County business owners who have been contacted by individuals representing themselves as able to guarantee approval for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans if they engage their services. “In each instance,” Hurd said “the businesses were guaranteed approval once they completed the application and provided their banking information. They were told the banking information was necessary for upfront payment of the application fee and then also to receive direct deposit of the loan amount.”
The SBA does not initiate contact for disaster loans or grants. If you are contacted by someone
promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest
bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud. SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
Mr. Hurd stated, “If a business needs any assistance completing the application process for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan you should feel free to contact our office.” Mr. Hurd has completed training to provide technical assistance and receives regular updates about changes to the program. He may be reached at 785-460-4511.
Businesses are also cautioned to be aware of phishing scams. If you are in the process of applying for
an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application
number is consistent with the actual application number. Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with sba.gov.
Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your
personally identifiable information (PII),to obtain personal banking access, or to install
ransomware/malware on your computer. The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not
guarantee the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.
Report any suspected fraud to the SBA Office of the Inspector General’s Hotline at 800-767-0385.

4.01.2020

Social Distancing Egg Hunt


Families and businesses are invited to decorate and hang paper eggs in your front windows by April 5th. During the week of April 5th to April 12th, walk or take a car ride and have kids keep track of how many eggs they find!

3.30.2020

Department of Labor Information



DEPTARTMENT OF LABOR INFORMATION:

Individual Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Unemployment insurance benefits may be available to individuals who are involuntarily
unemployed as a result of COVID-19. The amount of the benefit will vary based upon
the amount of money that the individual has previously earned, but will be between
$122 and $488 per week. At this time, individuals can receive up to a maximum of
16 weeks of benefits.You can view video tutorials on the application process, what
to do after filing an initial claim, and more at www.dol.ks.gov/tutorials.

Notice from Citizens Health



CITIZENTS HEALTH UPDATE
New Update as of 3-27-2020
·
We have been informed of the first positive case of COVID-19 in Gove County. As a
response we are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our staff & patients.
Please see our updated procedures below:
Citizens Medical Center:
·    NO VISITORS
·    Exceptions (OB: 1 support person for duration of stay; Pediatric: 1 parent at
a time; Out-Patient Clinic: 1 visitor per visit if needed)
·
ALL PATIENTS & VISITORS WILL BE SCREENED
·    Valet Services Discontinued
Family Center for Health Care:
·    Routine visits will go to telehealth (patients will be notified)
·    The waiting room is now closed. While waiting for your visit, remain in your
vehicle & call (785) 462-6184 for assistance
·    Only 1 pediatric support person allowed
·    If you have any questions or concerns related to COVID19 including testing,
symptoms, or isolation please call our community COVID19 hotline at 785-462-6184
and press 3