OPEI has partnered with its Washington, D.C.-based legislative counsel Kelley Drye Warren to provide members with guidance on the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (The CARES Act), which was signed into law last weekend.

This unprecedented measure provides a wide-array of programs for Americans and businesses of all sizes, with various forms of tax measures, loan programs, and direct cash benefits.

“As our member companies work every day to focus on the well-being of their employees and the needs of their customers, we want to make sure that we assist in their understanding of all government assistance at their disposal,” says Kris Kiser, President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “OPEI continues to advocate for members across the country to be deemed essential businesses, and remains engaged with regulators and agencies to keep them informed of the vital role the outdoor power equipment industry plays.”

OPEI is also working to plan a member webinar for early next week, to answer questions on member OEM, supplier, dealer, and customer eligibility for the programs included in the CARES Act.

With the extent of the COVID-19 crisis and necessary response indefinite at this juncture, Congress is already discussing additional, and significant, legislation to provide additional support to the nation. As Congress continues to take such actions, OPEI will follow-suit in providing members with focused guidance.

OPEI is also providing daily updates and industry resources for the COVID-19 response at www.opei.org/coronavirus.