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Western Governors’ Association NEWS: Small businesses struggle for CARES aid, new podcast on rural healthcare access, register for webinar about COVID-19 impact on gateway communities

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Small businesses struggle with CARES; new plasma project
Rural businesses are fighting to get the financial aid they need despite passage of the $2 trillion federal CARES Act. Find out why it has been so difficult in this week’s Best of the West Special Edition. You’ll also learn about a Colorado-based Convalescent Plasma Project Consortium for patients sick with COVID-19, the pandemic’s sad impact on high school graduation in Wyoming, and how bike sales have been booming in Alaska. Read more
Register: Webinar will examine COVID-19 impacts to gateway communities

WGA will host the webinar, COVID-19 Impacts to Gateway Communities, from 10-11 a.m. MDT on Friday, June 12. Panelists will examine the impacts of COVID-19 to gateway community health and economies and also explore how it effects National Park operations and management. Local, federal and state government leaders will share their experiences. Register

State By State: Governors combat pandemic

This week’s roundup of WGA Governors’ work includes Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosting a virtual town hall on medical and science data, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis transitioning to a new reopening phase by encouraging residents to enjoy outdoor spaces, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem suspending various requirements for state licensing boards, and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly calling a special legislative session to develop an emergency management bill to help keep the state’s residents safe and healthy. Read more

New podcast explores how communities

are expanding access to rural healthcare

Healthcare Innovations in the West, the latest episode of WGA’s Out West podcast, explores how rural communities across the region are working to bolster healthcare access and overcome barriers to providing care. Join WGA Policy Advisor Laura Cutlip as she investigates why adequate physical and mental healthcare are such integral parts of any successful community. (Listen) And while you’re at it, consider listening to all the previous episodes on Podbean, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

The Archive: Conversations on virus impact on economy, air travel, more
WGA has hosted several webinars on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including a three-part series on responses to the economic impact. Watch them all now.

Part I: COVID-19 Economic Impacts and Mitigation in Rural Communities: Learn about the many resources from federal agencies available to rural communities to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic. Watch

Part II: COVID-19 Economic Impacts and Mitigation in Rural Communities: Officials from western rural communities share strategies for mitigating short-term economic impacts and long-term recovery plans. Watch

Part III: COVID-19 Economic Impacts and Mitigation on Main Street: Challenges facing businesses in rural communities, obstacles that limit the effectiveness of federal aid programs, and next steps for recovery. Watch

Other topics covered in webinars include:

Rural Health Response to COVID-19: Idaho’s Blaine County was an early hot spot of COVID-19 cases, with one of the country’s highest per capita infection rates. County leaders explain how they responded and continue to manage the virus. Watch

Community Anchor Institution Connectivity: Learn about federal programs that direct broadband investments to schools, libraries, hospitals, and community centers, as well as the role of anchor institutions during the pandemic. Watch

Reimagining Disability Employment Policy in the Rural West: Hear about disability employment best practices and policy options, as well as how the State Exchange on Employment & Disability works with state leaders. Watch

COVID-19: Cybersecurity Threats & Best Practices: Cyber threats are growing as states, schools, health care facilities, and businesses transition to remote solutions. Find out how to counter malicious campaigns. Watch

Improving Airports and Air Service in the Rural West: Air service is critical to rural prosperity. Hear about funding sources and best practices for communities to maintain air facilities and services. Watch

COVID-19 Impacts to Natural Resource Management: Learn about challenges created by the pandemic to management of invasive species and wildlife, as well as wildfire mitigation and suppression. Watch

COVID-19 and Invasive Species Programs: The pandemic has had a significant impact on invasive species programs, from hiring to employee safety. Plus: learn how the COVID-19 “invasion curve” resembles the spread of other invasive species. Watch

SAVE THE DATES:

2020 Winter Meeting, Dec. 9-10, 2020, Coronado, Calif.

2021 Annual Meeting, May 14-16, 2021, Sunriver, Ore.

ABOUT WGA

The Western Governors’ Association represents the Governors of 19 western states and 3 U.S. territories in the Pacific. The association is an instrument of the Governors for bipartisan policy development, information exchange and collective action on issues of critical importance to the western U.S.

Western Governors’ Association | 1600 Broadway, Ste. 1700, Denver, CO 80202
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