Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the launch of altogetheralabama.org, an online resource that will serve as a hub of information as the state continues to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A release from Ivey’s office advised that the site is now the state’s official guide to coronavirus relief efforts and is intended to help empower both those impacted by the outbreak and those who want to offer support.
“We wanted to quickly create a trusted resource that centralizes information, resources and opportunities for businesses and individuals in need of support,” Ivey said in a statement. “We are all in this together.”
The governor also released a video regarding the initiative.
Watch:
The website is designed to be a comprehensive aide in navigating all issues related to Alabama’s COVID-19 response. Individuals and business owners can seek help and identify state and federal resources that can provide a lifeline in the form of low-interest loans and financial assistance.
Business owners, for example, can learn about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program, which launched on Friday and is intended to provide a direct incentive for employers to keep their workers on the payroll. Displaced workers, meanwhile, can use the site to learn about enhanced unemployment benefits.
“It’s important for Alabama’s business owners and its workforce to take full advantage of the resources being made available through the federal government’s $2 trillion coronavirus relief package,” advised Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The site is meant to expedite the process so both employers and employees can get back up on their feet as fast as possible.”
At the same time, the new site will function as a pathway for Alabama’s good corporate citizens and the general public to offer support and solutions that can help spark recovery across the Yellowhammer State. The hub is intended to act as a portal for companies, non-profits and individuals to volunteer, make donations of supplies, offer assistance programs and even post job openings.
The site was developed in partnership with Opportunity Alabama, a non-profit organization that promotes investment in the state’s designated Opportunity Zones.
“Over the last two years, Opportunity Zones have allowed us to build a network of stakeholders that care deeply about helping distressed places,” commented Alex Flachsbart, Opportunity Alabama founder and CEO. “We hope this site will provide a gateway linking our network to those businesses and communities in economic distress, no matter where they are in Alabama.”
In an interview with Yellowhammer News last week, Ivey also said that Alabama Power Company was helping to spearhead the AL Together effort.
“These are challenging times,” Ivey added in her Monday statement. “We needed a place to efficiently and rapidly post and disseminate information – as soon as it’s available – for all affected parties. Thank you for your support and partnership in helping bring Alabama together.”
Any business, program or individual who would like to join AL Together as a resource in COVID-19 response and relief can register here.
RELATED: Keep up with Alabama’s confirmed coronavirus cases, locations here
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
