WFB EditorsNewsSBA Issues Easier Application for PPP Loan Forgiveness, New Limits for Self-EmployedThe Small Business Administration has introduced an “EZ Forgiveness Application” for Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new forms require fewer calculations and less documentation to apply for the PPP loan forgiveness, according to the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA).June 22, 2020New ProductsMonarch Plank Introduces Tableau CollectionMonarch Plank Hardwood Flooring’s Tableau Collection includes natural-looking gray, brown and beige flooring with a 4-mm-thick European oak top layer and an ultra-matte aluminum oxide urethane finish, the company says. The engineered planks are available in 8⅝-inch widths.monarchplank.comJune 22, 2020NewsCanadian Housing Starts, Sans Quebec, Fall 20.4% in MayCanadian housing starts, excluding the province of Quebec, declined 20.4% in May, from 166,477 units to 132,576, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).June 22, 2020NewsExisting Home Sales Decline 9.7% in May; Down 26.6% Year-Over-YearExisting home sales fell 9.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million in May, the National Association of Realtors reports. It is the third consecutive month of declines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with May 2019, existing home sales are down 26.6%.June 22, 2020NewsHouzz: Median Spending for Home Renovations Shrank 13% in 2019The median amount of money spent on home renovations fell 13% in 2019, from $15,000 to $13,000, according to a Houzz renovation survey.June 22, 2020NewsWFB Briefs: Disaster Loans Available Again; International Woodworking Fair CanceledThe Small Business Administration has reopened applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) after shutting them down in May. The advance loans available are up to $10,000 for businesses experiencing temporary loss of revenue. More info can be found here.June 17, 2020NewsMay Housing Starts Grow 4.3% After Historic April DropMay housing starts climbed up 4.3% from April’s historic 30.2% plunge, growing to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 974,000, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. The rate remains 23.2% below housing starts in May 2019.June 17, 2020NewsAHF Products Closing Shanghai Engineered Flooring PlantAHF Products (Mountville, Pa.) announced it is closing its manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China. It will now service all of its international customers out of its growing plant in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.June 17, 2020NewsBuilder Confidence Jumps 21 Points to First Positive Outlook Since Pandemic BeganBuilder confidence swung back 21 points in June to a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.June 17, 2020New ProductsHorizon Forest Launches Portsmouth SeriesHorizon Forest Products’ Portsmouth Series features 7½-inch widths and lengths up to 84 inches. The ⅜-inch engineered oak planks include rough-sawn textures and a matte aluminum oxide finish.horizonforest.comJune 17, 2020Previous PagePage 141 of 982Next PageTop StoriesRetailThriving Through Innovation: See the Winners of the 2025 WFB Outstanding Retailer AwardsFrom reimagined showrooms and mobile studios to thoughtful mentorship, employee empowerment and social media marketing, these WFB Outstanding Retailers are proving that personalized service is key to long-term success.TechniquesUseful Advice When Dealing With Pine FlooringContractingHow I Do These Jobs: Refinishing DecksNewsRecognizing Wood Floor Contractors: Enter the 2025 Ultimate Wood Floor Guy/Gal ContestSponsor ContentMeet the MFMA: Setting the Gold Standard in Sports Flooring
