Federal relief bill offers help for S.C. agriculture

COLUMBIA – Last week, Congress and President Trump approved a new bipartisan aid package to address the expanding COVID-19 pandemic. The total relief package includes roughly $2 trillion to bolster the U.S. economy as we fight the devastating spread of COVID-19 — and offers critical aid to the agriculture industry.
 The bill includes:

• $9.5 billion in emergency funding to the USDA to support agriculture industries impacted by COVID-19, including fruit and vegetable producers, livestock producers, and producers focused on local food systems.
• $350 billion for a new Small Business Paycheck Protection Program that could provide eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to small employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency.
• $14 billion for USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation for possible Market Facilitation Payments and produce purchases.
• $562 million for the Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, allowing small businesses to cover expenses such as paid sick leave for employees directly affected by COVID-19.
• $300 million in Department of Commerce aid to the fishing and aquaculture industries.
• Numerous other funding streams that could benefit South Carolina agribusiness.

Visit the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 page, agriculture.sc.gov/coronavirus, for more information about the relief bill and links to apply for aid.