WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced that it is setting aside $10 billion of Round 2 funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to be lent exclusively by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).  CDFIs work to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses.  These dedicated funds will further ensure that the PPP reaches all communities in need of relief during the COVID-19 pandemic – a key priority for President Trump.
 
“The forgivable loan program, PPP, is dedicated to providing emergency capital to sustain our nation’s small businesses, the drivers of our economy, and retain their employees,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “CDFIs provide critically important capital and technical assistance to small businesses from rural, minority and other underserved communities, especially during this economically challenging time.”
 
“The PPP has helped over 50 million American workers stay connected to their jobs and over 4 million small businesses get much-needed relief,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “We have received bipartisan support for dedicating these funds for CDFIs to ensure that traditionally underserved communities have every opportunity to emerge from the pandemic stronger than before.”
 
As of May 23, 2020, CDFIs have approved more than $7 billion ($3.2 billion in Round 2) in PPP loans.  The additional $6.8 billion will ensure that entrepreneurs and small business owners in all communities have easy access to the financial system, and that they receive much-needed capital to maintain their workforces.
 
The Paycheck Protection Program was created by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and provides forgivable loans to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their employees on the payroll.  To date, more than 4.4 million loans have been approved for over $510 billion for small businesses across America. 
 
The SBA and the Treasury Department remain committed to ensuring eligible small businesses have the resources they need to get through this time.
 
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.­

Mesquite, NV (May 27, 2020) – Eureka Casino Resort announced today an outline of the comprehensive measures the company is undertaking to safely reopen after temporarily being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The plan not only meets, but exceeds, the Southern Nevada Health Department and the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s health and safety standards. Significant time and investments have been made in specialized equipment to clean and sanitize the entirety of the Mesquite, NV property.

“We know how important it is for people to be able to confidently return to doing the things that they love,” said Andre Carrier, Chief Operating Officer of Eureka Casino Resort. “To that end, we have taken every step to implement a plan that protects our employee-owners and their families, our guests, and the communities in which we work and live. Let’s be clear: the objective is to make our property an inhospitable environment for the virus, while still leaving the Eureka very much the warm, friendly, and hospitality-centric environment guests have known and loved for years.”

While the Eureka may not look exactly like it used to, hospitality and guest service is still the hallmark of the Eureka Way: serving our guests, community, and one another with care, compassion, and dedication. The company’s core values recognize that service to community is a partnership; while employee-owners are working hard to create a safe and fun environment, it is their hope that guests will play a role in keeping the environment a sanctuary of safety and enjoyment as well.

The outline of the Eureka safety plan includes:
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• Social distancing: physical markers and protective plexiglass barriers throughout the property, limiting daily casino capacity, substantially spreading out and reconfiguring the casino slot floor, and reducing seating at all restaurants and bars, as well as reduced seating at all table games.

 

• Employee-owners: conducting daily health screening, providing protective equipment, training all on COVID-19 safety measures and best practices.

 

• Guests: providing protective equipment and sanitizers for guests.

 

• Cleaning: casino and hotel will be cleaned and sanitized throughout each day, including the sanitization of chairs, table games and rails, chips, cards, slot machines, all food & beverage outlets, and hotel rooms.

 

• “Clean Team”: the creation of a new department, the “Clean Team,” who will be ever present and whose sole job will be to personally prepare and sanitize any gaming area, upon request, for guests.

For a comprehensive list of procedures and protocols and for operating hours, please visit EurekaMesquite.com/covid.

​“As part of our promise to guests and employee-owners, we will continue to work with health experts and government officials to act rapidly as guidance continues to evolve. In doing so, we’re joining a determined and hopeful global community that has responded with courage to this unique challenge, continued Carrier. “We look forward to welcoming guests back to the Eureka, we’re well prepared, and now, finally, we are ready to play.”

About Eureka Casino Resort
Eureka Casino Resort was founded by the Lee family in Las Vegas, NV. It operates a wide-ranging number of businesses, including Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, NV. The Lee Family sold it to the employees in 2015 making it Nevada's first 100% employee owned casino. For multiple years, Eureka has been named one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Medium Workplaces and a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company. Eureka also operates The Rising Star Sports Ranch in Mesquite, NV, as well as Eureka Las Vegas and The Brook, a casino in Seabrook, NH. The dedication of employee-owners to hard work extends to each and every guest and the communities they serve.