Critical Member Updates
Dear HBRAECT Members,

I hope this finds you well. I’d like to thank HBRA-CT CEO, Jim Perras, and NAHB Senior Officer, Greg Ugalde, along with their respective teams for their tireless efforts at the state level over the past two weeks. The VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP is realized during times like this.

The HBRA-CT led by Chris Nelson, Greg Ugalde, and Bob Wiedenmann along with assistance from lobbyists Lisa Fecke of Gaffney Bennett and Associates sprang into action on behalf of all of our members, developing and executing constant communication with the Governors team throughout these past few critical weeks. It has made all the difference.

Armed with data compiled by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), they offered the Governor and the DECD Commissioner strong arguments as to why designating residential construction as essential business was imperative to the health and safety of Connecticut residents and important to help blunt the fiscal impacts of COVID-19 on the Connecticut economy. Their collective hard work paid off; the DECD Commissioner announced, what we already knew, that the residential construction industry and those that supply and facilitate it are essential.

The impact of our collective leadership is why we are all still working. Membership has value – we are working hard for our members!

I’ve included some additional resources below that we have gathered to help you navigate through this business atmosphere. Information is changing daily but here is the latest. Please take the time to read all of the following and do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

IMPORTANT INFO & LINKS – HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Municipal Updates – Town-by-town with a full list of all municipalities.

CT State Building Inspector Updates HERE.These are updates regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the work under the remit of the Office of the State Building Inspector (OSBI), Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Office of Education and Data Management (OEDM).

On Friday, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with programs and initiatives intended to assist business owners.The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act provides a summary about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA).The SBA is only accepting applications for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Business owners can apply HERE.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at 860-500-2333 to provide assistance to Connecticut’s small businesses for this purpose.

The Department of Revenue Services has extended deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns. Details found on the DRS website HERE.

Department of Labor information regarding unemployment can be found HERE.

Coronavirus Resources, Updates, and What You Should KnowSTATE OF CT COVID-19 WEBSITE FOR ALL CT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

LIST OF EMERGENCY ORDERS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR AND STATE AGENCIES HERE.

Presidential Updates HERE.

Federal Government Coronavirus Information HERE.

KEEP YOUR JOB SITES SAFE
Last Friday, New York State removed residential construction from its essential business list after news reports were brought to Governor Cuomo’s attention that revealed sick workers were showing up for work. To minimize the likelihood that similar actions are taken in Connecticut, and more importantly to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we must do all we can to keep sites as safe as possible. The NAHB is maintaining a clearing house of information regarding job safety best practices during the pandemic FOUND HERE.

LOOK FOR THE HELPERS! OUR MEMBERS ARE MAGNIFICENT!

Have An Old Tablet? Help Seniors Stay Connected.
Wireless Zone is collecting “Tablets for Seniors”; a technology donation drive. If you have an old tablet that you no longer use, please consider dropping it off at either their Groton location, (220 CT-12 #4, Groton), or at the New London Mall location, (351 N Frontage Rd, New London). The team will refurbish and repair the tablets, sanitize them and donate them to any nursing homes that voice a need. The stores are offering a $20 gift card to anyone who makes a donation.
Bravo Wireless Zone!

How Can You Help?

While Yale New Haven Health does not normally accept donations of supplies and equipment, the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted the quantities of protective equipment their caregivers need. They are currently in need of the following resources:Disposable head covers/caps Disposable gowns Disposable glovesN95 respirator face masks Powered air purifying respirators Disposable face masks Face-shields/gogglesCoveralls/scrubsShoe-covers Disinfection wipes and liquids General purpose hand cleansers

All items should be in original unopened packaging.Please submit offers to [email protected] with contact information.