Covid-19 Resources for Small Businesses

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardship, the Federal government is providing four financial relief options to businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors. All four are administered by or otherwise connected to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They include:

The Paycheck Protection Program: Businesses with 500 employees or fewer can receive up to $10 million in forgivable loans as a way of keeping their workers on the payroll. These government-backed loans cover things like rent, wages, utilities and mortgage interest.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Businesses with 500 employees or fewer can get 30-year-term loans of up to $2 million. Applicants can even get a $10,000 advance that doesn’t need to be repaid.

SBA Express Bridge Loans: Your business must have an existing relationship with an SBA lender. If so, you may be able to quickly access as much as $25,000 in immediate funds.

SBA Debt Relief: If you have new or current qualified loans issued before September 27, 2020, the SBA will pay principal interest and fees, automatically, for six months. Currently serviced disaster loans are also being given automatic deferments through the last day of this calendar year.

In addition to these federal relief options, every state seems to be responding with its own programs and services designed to help small businesses. Some of the most helpful websites for each state have been compiled into an easy-to-use list:

Alabama:

Alaska:

  • Alaska Chamber: list of business resources for responding to COVID-19. Information on available loans and relief, as well as links to state and federal information about Coronavirus and its economic impact.
  • Alaska Department Of Health And Social Services: COVID-19 Specific Groups page, containing PDF copies of statewide mandates on business closures and CDC guidance for business owners/employers
  • Alaska Small Business Development Center: compiled list of resources for economic stabilization in response to COVID-19. Includes information and resources on loans, funding, taxes and daily briefings.

Arizona:

Arkansas:

California:

  • California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: Information on extended filing deadlines and tax relief for small businesses.
  • California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank: Information on the Jump Start Loan Program for small businesses disrupted or negatively impacted by COVID-19
  • State of California Labor & Workforce Development Agency: Information, educational materials and resources for employers and workers affected by the pandemic

Colorado:

  • Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade: Compiled list of resources for businesses, including loans, debt relief and eviction/layoff assistance.
  • Help Colorado Now: A COVID Relief Fund offering grants up to $25,000 to community-based organizations serving community needs related to COVID-19 or serving areas of Colorado with limited nonprofit capacity.
  • Kiva Hub Partnership: Information on available micro-loans of up to $15,000 for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Loans are no-interest and no-fees.

Connecticut:

  • Connecticut Business & Industry Association: Helpful information on extended filing deadlines for state business tax returns.
  • Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development: Notice of a newly developed COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit and list of resources compiled by it.
  • Connecticut Women’s Business Development Council: News, virtual community support and information on loans/grants to help women-owned businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delaware:

  • Delaware Alliance For Nonprofit Advancement: A list of funding resources for nonprofits in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
  • Delaware Division of Small Business: Information on the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP), offering loans of up to $10,000 per month to businesses in hospitality industry. Loans are no-interest, but only businesses in certain targeted sectors are eligible.
  • Delaware State Chamber of Commerce: A COVID-19 Resource Page for businesses, including news as well as information on state and federal financial relief programs.

Florida:

Georgia:

  • Georgia Center For Nonprofits: A list of helpful links for nonprofits seeking funding and financial relief during the Coronavirus crisis.
  • Georgia Chamber of Commerce: Guidance for small businesses struggling with the impacts of the Coronavirus, including information on webinars and emergency funding/relief resources
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development: Advice and guidance for businesses in response to changing news and updates from the governor.

Hawaii:

  • Brian Schatz, United States Senator For Hawaii: A resource guide for how the federal CARES Act can best help small businesses in Hawaii.
  • Chamber of Commerce Hawaii: A COVID-19 Response Hub that includes information for small businesses about emergency loans, funding, tax relief/incentives, debt relief, and more
  • Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations: A list of resources for nonprofits impacted by COVID-19

Idaho:

  • Idaho Small Business Development Center: Lists of available loans/relief, training events, workshops, consulting resources and more relate to the pandemic
  • Idaho Women’s Business Center: COVID-19 related list of financial resources, support and training/workshops for women-owned small businesses.
  • James E. Risch, U.S. Senator for Idaho: Small business resources page for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, including summaries of federal financial programs for small businesses

Illinois:

  • Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity: Information on the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program, which makes capital available (up to $25,000) to certain small businesses (of 50 employees or less) impacted by COVID-19.
  • Illinois Department of Revenue: Informational bulletin on tax relief and late sales tax payments for state eating/drinking establishments in light of the pandemic.
  • University of Illinois Extension: List of resources for businesses, including loans/relief, helpful safety information for retailers and more.

Indiana:

  • CenterPoint Energy Foundation: Information on $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds available to nonprofits and other charitable causes helping those impacted by the pandemic.
  • Indiana Chamber of Commerce: Informational hub with tools and resources for small businesses, including the ability to submit questions about Coronavirus
  • Indiana Small Business Development Center: Standard list of COVID-19 resources for small businesses, including information on available loans/funds/relief, training and counseling/advising.

Iowa:

Kansas:

Kentucky:

  • Kentucky Association of Counties: Information on U.S. Small Business Administration COVID-related relief loans available to Kentucky businesses.
  • Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development: Guidance, resources and FAQs for businesses in response to the Coronavirus. Includes information on state and federal relief programs.
  • Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 business resources page, including resources for employers, information on loans/financial help, and more

Louisiana:

Maine:

Maryland:

Massachusetts:

Michigan:

  • Michigan Chamber of Commerce: An easy-to-navigate Coronavirus Toolkit containing links to local/state/federal financial relief, educational materials and news.
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation: An information and resource list for state businesses regarding COVID-19 response and relief. Contains information on federal, state and local assistance opportunities.
  • Small Business Association of Michigan: A COVID-19 resource list for businesses, with guides to federal and state programs, up-to-date news and more.

Minnesota:

  • Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: Announcement of and details about Small Business Emergency Loans for Minnesota-based businesses. Loans have great terms and range from $2,500 to $35,000.
  • Minnesota Department of Revenue: Information on extended tax filing deadlines. The deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020 for individuals (which would include certain types of businesses). Corporations and other types of businesses may automatically qualify for extensions under existing state law.
  • Otto Bremer Trust: Details on the $50 million Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota and regionally. Grants will be awarded to certain nonprofits “impacted by and responding to the pandemic.”

Mississippi:

  • CenterPoint Energy Foundation: Details on the foundation’s COVID-19 Grant Applications, which draws from a $1.5 million fund to nonprofits and other causes disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
  • Mississippi Department of Revenue: Announcement of extended tax filing deadlines for individuals and certain businesses.
  • Mississippi Economic Council: Page of resources for employers, including news and economic relief information.

Missouri:

  • Missouri Department of Agriculture: Ag-related resource list, including a page of frequently asked questions and links to state and federal agencies.
  • Missouri Small Business Development Center: List of COVID-19 resources for small businesses in Missouri, including information on federal relief programs available to state businesses.
  • MOSourceLink: List of business resources and updates related to COVID-19. Contains links to programs, policies, tax relief, consulting services and ore.

Montana:

Nebraska:

Nevada:

New Hampshire:

New Jersey:

  • New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub: A convenient Emergency Assistance Availability Wizard to help you quickly determine which forms of financial assistance your business or organization may be eligible for.
  • New Jersey Department of Labor & Economic Development: Important guidance to employers and business owners on how to care for employers during the pandemic. Includes continually updating information on state and federal legislation to support businesses and workers.
  • New Jersey Economic Development Authority: Information on the Micro Business Loan Program, offering loans up to $50,000 for eligible small businesses. Program is evergreen and not specific to Coronavirus.

New Mexico:

  • New Mexico Economic Development Department: Links to and explanations of COVID-19 Business Finance Resources, including available federal loans and state financial assistance.
  • New Mexico Small Business Development Center: List of business resources at the state and federal level for those impacted by COVID-19. Includes information about loans and funding.
  • The State of New Mexico Official Website: Guidance and information for employers, including a strong recommendation for small businesses to apply for federal stimulus loans.

New York:

North Carolina:

North Dakota:

  • Lewis & Clark Development Group: Announcement of and information about the North Dakota Opportunity Fund, which offers disaster assistance loans of up to $50,000 to small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic.
  • North Dakota Official State Website: A page devoted to COVID-19 Business and Employer Resources, including financial relief opportunities and information on labor, safety and taxes.
  • Otto Bremer Trust: Details on the $50 million Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund providing grants to nonprofit organizations in North Dakota and regionally. Grants will be awarded to certain nonprofits “impacted by and responding to the pandemic.”

Ohio:

  • CenterPoint Energy Foundation: Information on the foundation’s plan to donate up to $1.5 million in grants to nonprofits and other charitable causes (in Ohio and regionally) helping those impacted by the pandemic.
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce: A web page devoted to Coronavirus Business Resources, which includes information on pending legislation, business restrictions, relief funding and additional resources.
  • The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association: COVID-19 information and resources relevant to the manufacturing industry in Ohio. Contains links to news, information and relief programs.

Oklahoma:

  • CenterPoint Energy Foundation: Details on the foundation’s COVID-19 Grant Applications, a program which draws from a $1.5 million fund and distributed to nonprofits and other causes (in Oklahoma and regionally) disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
  • Oklahoma Center For Nonprofits: A resources page on finding temporary funding, business continuity, planning and other important topics in response to COVID-19.
  • Oklahoma Department of Commerce: A page of essential information, news and business resources related to the novel Coronavirus.

Oregon:

  • Business Oregon: A collaboration between numerous state agencies, the Small Business Navigator – COVID-19 website gives small business owners much-needed information and resources, including financial aid, debt relief and other forms of assistance.
  • Oregon Department of Revenue: Information on extended tax filing deadlines for individuals and businesses, as well as clarifications on what hasn’t changed for filers.
  • Oregon Small Business Development Center: A page on emergency funding and other resources for small businesses statewide.

Pennsylvania:

Rhode Island:

  • Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training: A downloadable and printable COVID-19 Workplace Fact Sheet for both employers and employees. Includes tips on easing financial burdens related to work slowdowns and shutdowns.
  • The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation: A COVID-19 resource page for businesses and employees, including links to financial relief and an FAQ section.
  • United Way of Rhode Island: A COVID-19 Community Response resource center with information to find funding and provide other help to nonprofit groups in the state.

South Carolina:

  • South Carolina Chamber of Commerce: A dashboard of links for business owners related to COVID-19 information and resources, including relevant state and federal government agencies, information on legislation and more.
  • South Carolina Department of Commerce: A COVID-19 Business Resources page largely devoted to financial assistance for small business, tax/regulatory support and employment resources
  • South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance: Relevant information for the manufacturing industry, including financial support, donation or manufacturing of personal protective equipment and more.

South Dakota:

  • South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation: A varied list of COVID-19 resources and information relevant to businesses. Includes state and federal data/programs.
  • South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development: Detailed information on Governor Noem’s Small Business Relief Fund, which provides loans ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 to eligible businesses. Page also contains links to many other resources.
  • South Dakota Retailers Association: COVID-19 related information and resources for the hospitality and retail industries, including explanations of state and federal financial assistance and relief opportunities.

Tennessee:

  • Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry: Advice and helpful information for employers and business owners about stopping the spread of Coronavirus and keeping everyone safe.
  • Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development: Information on COVID-19 business resources, including available state and federal loans/grants, tax deferment and unemployment issues.
  • Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development: A resource for employers on COVID-19 Unemployment filings. If your business shuts down due to the pandemic, you can help your employees expedite unemployment claims with an employer-filed mass claim.

Texas:

Utah:

Vermont:

  • Vermont Farm Fund: An organization offering both emergency loans and business builder loans to eligible Vermont farms. Those seeking emergency loans due to COVID-19 could borrow $5,000 to $10,000, repayable over two years with 0% interest.
  • State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development: A page of resources for business in response to the Coronavirus. Includes guidance for employers, information on unemployment and financial assistance.
  • The Vermont Community Foundation: The organization recently launched the VT COVID-19 Response Fund, which will give financial support to nonprofits working to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable communities.

Virginia:

  • Virginia Chamber of Commerce: A resource center for businesses struggling with the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic. Includes government news updates, information on loans/economic relief and more.
  • Virginia Small Business Development Center: A list of COVID-19 resources for small businesses, including information on how to protect the health of workers and customers, and the financial health of the business.
  • The Community Foundation For Northern Virginia: Information on a COVID-19 Response Fund for Northern Virginia, providing financial resources to nonprofit groups and others working to fight COVID-19 and the damage it has done.

Washington:

  • Washington Governor Jay Inslee: A list of resources for state businesses impacted by the pandemic. Resource categories include financial assistance, export assistance, employer/worker assistance and insurance assistance,
  • Washington State Department of Revenue: Notice of tax filing deadline extensions and other helpful relief measures for taxpayers and businesses.
  • Business.WA.Gov: A list of COVID-19 loans and grants (state and federal) available to businesses in Washington:

West Virginia:

  • The Hub West Virginia: Links of helpful resources for small businesses, nonprofits, arts/creative communities and the general public on how to survive and weather the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • West Virginia Development Office: A convenient list of COVID-19 Business Relief Resources and Information, including financial, labor, tax and insurance resources. Page also contains an FAQ section.
  • West Virginia Small Business Development Center: Guidance and resources for small businesses, news and information.

Wisconsin:

  • Otto Bremer Trust: Details on the $50 million Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin and regionally. Grants will be awarded to certain nonprofits “impacted by and responding to the pandemic.”
  • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Information on the Small Business 20/20 program, which helps support micro-enterprises and small business hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Wisconsin Small Business Development Center: A COVID-19 resource page for businesses with information on loans/financial assistance, unemployment and other resources

Wyoming:

  • Wyoming Business Council: A web page of COVID-19 Resources for Employers, with guidance on business best practices, HR Assistance, financial assistance and more.
  • Wyoming Small Business Development Center: Information hub on topics including protecting your business/employees, handling payroll and taxes and securing loans/capital during the pandemic.
  • Wyoming Women’s Business Center: A list of COVID-19 resources applicable to businesses owners – particularly women-owned businesses.