Trucking news & briefs for October 15, 2024:
Howes Hall of Fame honors group supporting vets in agriculture
The Howes Products provider of high-quality fuel additives and lubricants announced the latest member of its Howes Hall of Fame -- the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). The induction celebrates the Coalition's outstanding work in supporting veterans who are involved in farming and agriculture.
"The Farmer Veteran Coalition has been instrumental in empowering veterans through agriculture, providing them with the skills, resources, and community they need to succeed in farming,” said Rob Howes, Howes Products president. Howes expressed admiration for the FVC's mission and achievements. “Their dedication to helping veterans transition from military to civilian life through farming is truly commendable. We are honored to recognize their efforts and welcome them into the Howes Hall of Fame."
[Related: 'Trucker Josh' Giesbrecht: New Howes Hall of Fame member]
The Farmer Veteran Coalition was founded in 2009, and today is a national nonprofit organization with more than 50,000 members. FVC assists veterans in their transition from military service to careers in agricultural sectors, likewise those starting their own farms and ranches. The organization also offers a Fellowship Fund, a small grant program that assists in providing needed items for their operations. Additionally, it operates the Homegrown by Heroes labeling program, which certifies veteran-owned agricultural products and identifies producers on MarketMaker, an online platform selling direct to consumers.
FVC plans to expand its reach by launching new initiatives aimed at increasing access to land, capital, markets and careers, and mentoring for veteran farmers. The organization is also focused on building a robust network of partnerships with agricultural businesses and institutions and veteran sectors to create more opportunities for veterans in the agricultural space.
"Being inducted into the Howes Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor for our organization," said Jeanette Lombardo, FVC CEO. "It underscores the importance of our mission and the impact we are making on the lives of veteran farmers and their families across the country. We are committed to continuing our work, expanding our programs, and supporting even more veterans in their agricultural endeavors."
Howes' Hall of Fame -- follow that link to tour a virtual space featuring past honorees or to make a nomination -- honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community, industry, or environment, the company noted. The induction of FVC reflects Howes Products' commitment to supporting those who serve and America's agricultural future.
[Related: Owner-operator Angelique 'The Tornado' Temple: Latest Howes Hall of Fame member]
Treasury reporting requirement for 'beneficial ownership information' for small biz still on track
The transportation law firm Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary issued an alert reminder about upcoming deadlines for information reporting now required of small businesses as a result of the Corporate Transparency Act. All existing LLCs and other small businesses required to register with their secretaries of state have through the end of the year to report "beneficial ownership information" (BOI) to the U.S. Teasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), identifying owners and more. For covered businesses established in 2024, reporting is required within 90 days of business establishment. (Read this Overdrive story from early in the year for a detailed guide to reporting.)
The Corporate Transparency Act "establishes uniform BOI reporting requirements for certain types of corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities created in or registered to do business in the United States," the Scopelitis alert reads. "There are 23 exemptions to the reporting requirements of the CTA, which generally apply to larger, more heavily regulated entities that are likely already subject to other ownership information reporting requirements (e.g., governmental authorities, banks, publicly traded companies, credit unions, insurance companies, public utilities, certain non-profit entities, among others). If your company does not fit under any of the 23 exemptions, you must comply with the reporting requirements of the CTA."
The alert comes in spite of a federal judge's ruling that the reporting requirement was unconstitutional. The ruling, as noted in prior reporting, was construed narrowly to apply on the those entities directly involved in the case, a single business owner and members of the National Association of the Self-Employed.
For the remainder of small businesses subject to the rule, reporting requirements remain in place.
"Both individuals and corporate entities who willfully fail to file a complete BOI report or who willfully file false information with FinCEN may be subject to penalties under the CTA," Scopelitis said. "Penalties include civil penalties of up to $500 for each day the violation continues or criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. ... Companies subject to the reporting requirements of the CTA should plan to file their initial BOI report with FinCEN well in advance of the January 1, 2025 deadline.
Read more about the FinCEN reporting requirement:
**Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's new reporting requirement hits owner-ops, small fleets
**Federal finance-crimes network's small biz reporting requirements 'unconstitutional': Court
Trucker Path's partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking adds report functionality to app
The Trucker Path mobile app is adding the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) Report feature to its software, part of an effort to improve quality of life on the road for truckers and to support valuable industry associations, the company said.
“We are proud to be able to use our platform to help TAT reach the one million professional truck drivers who use the Trucker Path app,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “Spreading the word about their mission aligns perfectly with our goal of being a conduit for information from great organizations like TAT” as well as the American Trucking Associations' Women in Motion council. Trucker Path announced the new app feature at the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee.
The newly added feature is set to extend the reach of TAT information to the users of Trucker Path by enabling easy access to the information they need to report a suspected human trafficking event.
[Related: Truckers' anti-trafficking efforts lead to major arrests]
Established in 2009, TAT’s mission is to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of key industries and agencies to combat human trafficking.
“The more truck drivers we can educate on what to look for and how to report an incident, the greater our chances of disrupting human trafficking,” said Esther Goetsch, TAT executive director. “When truckers -- and others in transportation -- find themselves in the right place at the right time and are empowered to know the right way to respond in the moment, not only can trafficking be reported, but lives can be changed and saved."
Additionally, the Trucker Path and WIM partnership promotes the safety of professional female truck drivers on the road by identifying truck stops with key amenities identified as necessities by female drivers. To date, 320 truck stops qualify as having at least one and 18 have all seven amenities, including lighted parking, lounge areas, showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities, and 24/7 security and maintenance.
“It’s great to have a partner like Trucker Path that offers such a large community of users,” said Nikki Thomas, vice president, industry affairs at the American Trucking Associations. “The ability of the Trucker Path app to search for WIM-friendly truck stops makes the roads safer for female drivers and helps us recruit the next generation of drivers that our industry so desperately needs.”
[Related: Women of trucking advisory board takes aim at billboard lawyers, NIMBYs]
