Resources for COVID-19 Resilience

KTNA has compiled this list of informational resources to help our community stay informed and healthy, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to share opportunities for economic relief.

Staying Healthy:

  • COVID-19 vaccine information: covidvax.alaska.gov
    • Everyone 12 & over is eligible for vaccines!
  • Testing in the upper Susitna Valley
    • Sunshine Community Health Centers (Talkeetna & Willow): 907-733-2273
    • Denali Education Center, downtown Talkeetna: www.denali.org/covid-testing
  • Free At-home tests
    • Free at-home tests are available at Denali Education Center and Talkeetna Public Library.
    • The federal government will ship 4 free at-home tests to every family that requests them at www.covidtests.gov.
    • All private health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of over the counter, at-home COVID-19 tests. This coverage requirement means patients are able to order tests online or buy at a store and either get it covered up front, or submit it for insurance reimbursement. To learn more, visit the CMS At-Home Testing Frequently Asked Questions page.
    • Tests may also be available at upper valley libraries, the Upper Susitna Senior and Community Center, and Sunshine Station Childcare Center.  For a full list of free tests in the Mat-Su, go to connectmatsu.org.
    • Note that the FDA has approved a three-month extension on the expiration date on at-home tests. If you have one that says it expires in January, it is actually good until the end of April. If the date is March, it is good until the end of June.

Information about the disease, its transmission, and current status:

Local, State, and National News:

Resources for Economic Relief for Individuals, Businesses, & Non-profits due to impacts of Covid-19:

  • The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill. Within the ARPA, there are significant direct allocations to the State, local governments, and tribes, as well as to businesses, schools, nonprofits, and the University. Additionally, there will be multiple grant opportunities available for Alaska organizations and governments. The website Alaska ARPA (alaskaarpa.org) provides an extensive summary of resources relevant to Alaskans, tracking funds coming in as well as grant opportunities. It is a collaborative effort to serve as a clearinghouse of information that can be used by recipients and other potential beneficiaries. The application period for the AK-ARPA Business Relief Program Grant closes 8:00 am on October 19, 2021. More information for this grant is available at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/AK-ARPABusinessReliefProgram.
  • FEMA Funeral Assistance Available: FEMA is still providing financial assistance for funeral expenses from COVID-19 deaths. The assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application per state. More information is available at https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.
  • Pandemic relief program for Internet: There is a subsidy on internet service available for low-income households or those who lost money in the pandemic. Customers can sign up by contacting a participating provider, enroll online at getemergencybroadband.org, or mail in an application. If you don’t have internet service yet, you can call (833) 511-0311.

CLOSED FUNDING PROGRAMS:

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration to Dec. 31, 2021. EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, and a 30-year maturity. SBA has announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans. Every eligible small business and nonprofit are encouraged to apply to get the resources they need. On September 9, 2021, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced some major enhancements. All business owners who have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) can still benefit from COVID EIDL. More information at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/eidl.
  • Alaska Housing Rent Relief: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is accepting new applications for Alaska Housing Rent Relief through October 1, providing up to three months of assistance to eligible applicants who meet the federal requirements. Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. Alaskans in need of rental assistance should check their eligibility and apply at www.AlaskaHousingRelief.org.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Those interested in participating can register here.
  • Artist Relief Cycle XII – Deadline May 31st, 2021 – Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and work with the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists. https://artistrelief.submittable.com/submit
  • The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Greater flexibility is provided for seasonal employees. First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who did not receive a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The PPP Extension Act of 2021 extends the Paycheck Protection Program an additional two months to May 31, 2021, and then provides an additional 30-day period for the SBA to process applications that are still pending. Financial institutions that will be participating include First Bank, FNBA, Northrim, Mat Valley FCU, Mt McKinley, Wells Fargo, Alaska USA FCU, and Denali State Bank. Learn more at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp.
  • The Mat-Su Health Foundation is offering Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and response grants of up to $50,000 to Mat-Su nonprofit organizations. All applications will receive expedited handling. Assistance securing a line of credit is also available. https://www.healthymatsu.org/how-we-fund/coronavirus-covid-19-prevention-and-response-grants
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund: This program through the Small Business Administration provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19. Registration for the SBA application portal will begin on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 am ET. Applications will open on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon ET. More information is on the SBA website.
  • Alaska Housing Rent Relief provides assistance to households unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program provides up to 12 months of rent and/or utility relief ​​​​​​to eligible Alaskans unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you’ve received rent relief from AHFC in the past, you can apply to this new program. The application period ​is now open. More information about eligibility and the application are at: alaskahousingrelief.org.
  • A privately funded COVID-19 relief project is being relaunched to help Alaskans through the pandemic. AK Can Do, created near the start of the pandemic with Rasmuson Foundation support, is a partnership between United Way of Anchorage and The Alaska Community Foundation to help both individuals in need and nonprofits that provide critical services. To donate or to learn more, go to: www.AKCanDo.org. Nonprofits can apply for a grant through The Alaska Community Foundation. Applications for the current round are due by January 14. Individuals in need of help can call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. Rasmuson Foundations helps to cover marketing and administrative costs so 100% of online donations go to those in need.
  • MSB CARES Grant Program: The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has committed $13 million to support eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Recipients will be awarded up to $10,000 grants to support their operations. For more detail visit msbcares.matsugov.us and register for notification when the application is open. Phase 4 ends October 30th. Grants will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to those who have not received previous federal, state, or local financial assistance related to COVID-19.
  • Economic Impact Payments to most Americans – apply here if your household did not file tax forms last year November 21st DEADLINE
  • AK CARES GRANT: closed
  • Restaurant Employees Relief Fund for anyone who worked in a restaurant or bar. rerf.us: closed