COVID-19 Business Resources

Resources for businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic: 4/14/2021: The Small Business Association (SBA) is rolling out a special grant program specific to restaurants. There is an informational webinar on Friday, April 16 at 9:30 AM. Attached is a flyer with the registration link, please share this with other restaurant owners in your network. Additional information from the National Restaurant Association can be found at: https://restaurant.org/downloads/pdfs/business/faq_revitalization_grants. 2/22/2021: SBA Prioritizes Smallest of Small Businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program - Steps to Promote Equitable Relief for Mom-and-Pop Businesses Building on a month of strong results, the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration are taking steps with the Paycheck Protection Program to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses. The latest round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opened one month ago and already the Biden Administration has succeeded in making major improvements to the program’s implementation: For businesses with fewer than ten employees, the share of funding is up nearly 60% For businesses in rural communities, the share of funding is up nearly 30% The share of funding distributed through Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions is up more than 40% “The SBA is a frontline agency working to create an inclusive economy, focused on reaching women-owned, minority-owned, low- and moderate-income, rural, and other underserved communities in meaningful ways. While reported data illustrates we have made real strides in ensuring these funds are reaching underserved communities, we believe we can still do better,” says SBA Senior Advisor Michael Roth. “The important policy changes we are announcing further ensure inclusivity and integrity by increasing access and much-needed aid to Main Street businesses that anchor our neighborhoods and help families build wealth.” These simple progressive steps by the Biden-Harris Administration further demonstrate the commitment to racial and gender equity, reaching low and moderate-income, rural, urban, and other underserved areas. The SBA will: Establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP; and Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP. The 14-day exclusivity period will start on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 a.m., while the other four changes will be implemented by the first week of March. The SBA is working on the program changes and will communicate details throughout this week. These actions will help to lay the foundation for a robust and equitable recovery for small businesses across the country. Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce; they create 2 out of 3 net new private-sector jobs; they reinvest 68% of revenues to build and sustain communities. Borrowers can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program by downloading the First Draw PPP loan application or Second Draw PPP loan application and working with a participating PPP lender through the SBA Lender Match tool. Through SBA’s nationwide district offices, the Agency will work in close partnership with the Administration to further leverage its resource partner network and expand on multilingual access and outreach about the PPP. Updated PPP information, including forms, guidance, and resources is available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares. 7/28/2020: The HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program Apply for any amount between $5,000 and $15,000 If you have been in business at least since January 2019 you may qualify! The deadline is August 23rd. Let me know if you need any help with the application or information to fill out the form. This initiative is designed to support brick-and-mortar businesses as they enter the next phases of reopening across the country, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic Main Street and commercial districts. Link: https://nationalmainstreetcenter.submittable.com/submit/b2e47ba7-f943-43b7-ab4e-ce9a90fc4481/the-hartbeat-of-main-street-grant-program 5/18/2020: Small businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship that would like to request equipment from the state’s supply of infrared thermometers can fill out a form online at ct.gov/coronavirus in the “Access to Personal Protective Equipment” section, or through the links provided below: Small businesses: Any small business in the state that has between 2 and 100 employees are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. Eligible businesses seeking to request thermometers should click here. Nonprofits: Nonprofits located within Connecticut are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for nonprofits, click here. Social services and direct care nonprofits may request a thermometer through the process outlined in this memo. Places of worship: Places of worship are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for places of worship, click here. The state is partnering with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and its affiliate CONNSTEP to distribute the thermometers. They will be delivered to the municipalities in which the organizations are located, and then the municipalities will contact the recipient entities to inform them of a time and location they can pick up their requested equipment Business Certification DECD has launched the business certification form for businesses opening up on May 20: https://business.ct.gov/recovery. DECD Grants to Arts Organizations Thanks to $400,000 in CARES Act funding, DECD is making grants available to arts organizations. The Connecticut Office of the Arts will re-grant a total of $400,000 to Connecticut arts organizations in need. Grant awards will range from $1,500 to $3,000. Due to limited funds and anticipated high volume of applications, grantees will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible applicants with attention to geographic distribution. Funds may be used for: · Salary support, full or partial, for positions that are critical to an organization’s mission · Fees for artists and/or contractual personnel to maintain or expand the period during which such persons would be engaged · Facility / occupancy costs, such as rent and utilities · Costs directly associated with an organization’s ability to continue operations now and in the future Here are the details: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/CARES-Act-Relief-Grants-for-Connecticut-Arts-Organizations.html?soid=1124774640404&aid=bK72jHtc38U. 5/11/2020: Rules for Reopening on May 20 by Sector Find out the rules for reopening for all sectors allowed to re-open on May 20th which includes Hair Salons & Barbershops, Museums and Zoos (Outdoor Only), Offices, Restaurants (Outdoor Only), and Retail & Malls. Information for residents, businesses, and municipalities including news, resources and publications to keep you informed. https://portal.ct.gov/ctrecovers 4/6/2020: PPP FAQs: https://eig.org/news/understanding-the-paycheck-protection-program 4/3/2020: New fillable application form for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf 3/26/2020: New: CT Recovery Bridge Loan Program Original info: 1) The CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) resource page for businesses impacted by coronavirus. (DECD has also deferred loan payments for all Small Business Express loans for three months). >> https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Information-For/Business-Resources 2) DECD COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Line: 860-500-2333. 3) The CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) extension of filing deadlines for certain business tax returns for 30 days. >> https://portal.ct.gov 4) SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans for CT Businesses Impacted by coronavirus. >> https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance 5) CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers Impacted by Coronavirus >> https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/workplaces-businesses/ 6) CT's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) resources for small businesses impacted by coronavirus. >> https://ctsbdc.com/covid19-businessresourcecenter/ 7) CT's Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) virtual classes and counseling for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. >> https://ctwbdc.org/ 8) SCORE webinars and free mentoring for small businesses impacted by coronavirus. >> https://www.score.org/content/small-business-disaster-preparedness-resources 9) DECD and AdvanceCT survey to get feedback from CT businesses on the impact of the coronavirus. The results will help the state better respond to businesses struggling during this difficult time. >> https://www.research.net/r/COVID19BizSurvey 10) The Governor and DECD held a conference call on Thurs, March 19th from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, open to all business leaders, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders to provide updates on the state's economic response to COVID-19.