Arizona has passed a $50 million bill for coronavirus relief, but leaves much of the details in the hands of Gov. Doug Ducey. While we do not know exactly how it will help small businesses or what businesses will need to do to get funds, the state has released a guide to various resources for small businesses.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced that the state will use $12 million from Community Development Block Grants and $4 million from the state’s Quick Action Closing Fund to help small businesses struggling during the outbreak.

A number of coronavirus relief programs are available in California, one of the states most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

San Francisco has a Small Business Resiliency Fund for businesses that have between one and 25 employees, have less than $2.5 million in gross receipts and can demonstrate a loss of revenue of 25% or more. To apply for this program click here.

Los Angeles is offering microloans to small businesses of between $5,000 and $20,000. The term goes between six months and five years. The rate is 0% for a term of between six months and one year and between 3% and 5% for loans with a term of between one year and five years. Up to $11 million in these loans will be available.

Long Beach

Resources from the city:

• Kiva Long Beach Loan Program: Zero Percent interest loans from $500 to $15,000. Loan proceeds may be used for a variety of legitimate business needs.
• Microenterprise Loan: Affordable loans from $25,000 to $100,000. Loan proceeds may be used for a variety of legitimate business needs except for construction.
• Grow Long Beach Loan: Affordable loans from $100,000 to $2 million. Loan proceeds may be used for a variety of legitimate business needs.
• Plus suspensions of penalties and interest for business license fees, water shut-offs or power service disconnections.

Los Angeles

City Small Business Emergency Microloan Program is open to applications. See site for general eligibility, microloan terms, and application information. Resiliency toolkit is available as a resource for businesses.

Oakland

(Public/private)

The Oakland Business Assistance Center is an online resource tool with information on zero interest loans to help with tax bills. “Our staff is ready to work with you to help with payment plans and waiving penalties,” said Oakland City Council Member Nikki Fortunato Bas.

City of Oakland Outlines Small Business, Workforce Support to Mitigate Impacts of COVID-19: The City will work with small business owners to help meet their tax obligations in a flexible manner. In response to this crisis, the City’s Finance Department will waive late payment penalties for small businesses resulting from failure to file taxes due March 1, 2020 on time due to COVID-19. To apply for a payment plan or to seek waiver of penalties due to COVID-19, please call the customer service line at (510) 238-3704 or email [email protected].

With help from private philanthropic partners, the City is actively exploring funding opportunities to help vulnerable small businesses who have experienced losses related to COVID-19. To aid this work, the City is inviting businesses to submit data about the nature and extent of the revenue losses resulting from COVID-19 via an input form. This data will help inform the grants funds, and help Oakland be prepared to take advantage of forthcoming State and Federal financial programs (see below). 

Help with Mounting Housing Costs and Residential Displacement:

Through the Keep Oakland Housed program, services are available to all Oakland residents who are at risk of losing their housing. In addition to emergency financial assistance to help with rent, utility payments, and other housing-related costs, the program also offers supportive services and legal representation for tenants with an active eviction lawsuit.

Sacramento

City Leaders To Vote On Coronavirus Emergency Declaration, $1M Relief Plan For Small

Thursday afternoon, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg announced major financial support for small businesses and the people who work for them.  A $1 million dollar relief package for small local businesses. The fund will provide zero-percent interest loans of up to $25,000 per business. DEADLINE: Friday, March 20, by 11:59 PM (midnight). Coronavirus rapid response hub information here.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby announced the launch of a free Essential Worker Childcare program for first responders, health care workers and essential City of Sacramento employees. 

On March 24, the council adopted a moratorium on commercial tenant evictions due to COVID-19. The updated FAQs for both residential and commercial evictions are posted on our website here. The website also has a form that commercial tenants may use to notify landlords, we have separate forms for residential and commercial tenants. 

—

 City of Sacramento Economic Relief COVID-19: The City of Sacramento has established a $1 million economic relief fund for businesses affected by COVID-19. The fund will provide zero-percent interest loans of up to 425,000 per business

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program: SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans for California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.

Donate4Sacramento: Public, private, labor and nonprofit leaders throughout the Sacramento region have joined forces to raise both awareness of what we as a community are confronting and resources that will be dedicated to help vulnerable populations and small businesses. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million in private contributions to support the City of Sacramento’s $1.5 million investment. Our mission is to ensure families, individuals and businesses receive assistance for essential supplies, food, rent, utilities and other needs. In short, we plan to do what Sacramentans always do in times of crisis – pull together and demonstrate the incredible power of a community that cares for all of its members.

Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF) Disaster Fund: SRCF activated its Sacramento Region Disaster Fund to help address challenges facing local non-profit organizations due to COVID-19.

Midtown Association Micro-Grants Awarded: Midtown Association launched an emergency micro-grant program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent impact that it’s had on our business community. The goal of this grant program was to quickly infuse our local economy with much-needed funds by supplementing innovative ideas that businesses in Midtown are developing in response to a decrease in their ability to operate. Funding these ideas will enable businesses to continue operations through an adapted business model and thus continue generating income and to retain and pay their employees.

Sacramento Local Restaurants Gofundme.com: In response to the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the Sacramento Restaurant Community and the Farm-to-Fork movement, Mayor Steinberg and Region Restaurants have established this GoFundMe to help support the survival and reopening of our locally owned independent restaurants and bars.  We ask that you donate to help support this cause. Funds will be distributed to qualifying restaurants who apply. The transparent distribution of these funds will be overseen by the executive leadership of Sacramento’s business organizations under the advisement from the Mayor’s office. Supporting organizations include:

• Region Restaurants, a trade association of Region Business
• Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council
• Visit Sacramento
• Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
• Midtown Business Association

San Diego

City of San Diego Economic Relief 

• Small Business Relief Fund — application to be posted Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. PT.
• Tax certificate deferral program
• Commercial utility deferral
• Extension of all business permits

SD COVID-19 Community Response Fund — Emergency grants to nonprofit organizations for: 

• Food security
• Rental & utility assistance
• Income replacement or gap funding

Accion— Variety of loan programs, $300–$75,000

Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund — Loans for women of color business owners, $5,000–$25,000

Sempra Energy COVID-19 Nonprofit Hardship Fund — For small & medium-sized nonprofit organizations

Resources are compiled on COVID-19 landing page.

San Francisco

Mayor Breed: “We are starting with a million dollars for this fund which will provide at least $10,000 grants for small businesses,” Breed said during a news conference in Chinatown, an area she says has been hit hard by the illness. She said the city is now allowing small businesses to defer the next round of quarterly business taxes to February of 2021. The mayor said that the city will work to make sure that all community-based organizations that receive funding from the city continue to receive that funding to survive. 

Small Business Resiliency Fund Eligible businesses:

• Have at least 1 employee and no more than 5 employees
• Demonstrate a loss of revenue of 25% or more
• Have less than $2,500,000 in gross receipts
• Be engaged in activities that are regulated by the City and County of San Francisco and have a license/permit associated to that regulation

Moratorium on commercial evictions: Executive Order

The moratorium will prevent any small to medium-sized business from being evicted due to a loss of income related to lost revenue or other economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The small and medium-sized business eviction moratorium will be in effect for 30 days, and can be extended by the Mayor for another 30 days through an Executive Order. 

This commercial eviction moratorium will apply to businesses with a license to operate in San Francisco that have less than $25 million in annual gross receipts. This follows a moratorium on residential evictions that Mayor Breed announced on March 13th.

San Jose 

Website updated daily for new information.

City

• Exemption for Housing Construction: The City of San Jose has confirmed with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department that the County Order exempts “Housing Construction” from the requirement to cease activities, because housing is considered “Essential Infrastructure”. Housing Construction is not limited to affordable housing or homeless housing. As part of “Essential Business”, Essential Infrastructure is ‘strongly encouraged to remain open’ and to comply with Social Distancing Requirements to the greatest extent feasible. Other construction activities are not exempted and must comply with the Order.
• Community Unity and Support of our Immigrant Community: As we work to protect all members of our community from COVID-19, the Rapid Response Network in Santa Clara County (Spanish video, Vietnamese video) continues its operations and stands ready to protect community members targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If you see or think you see ICE in your community, call 408-290-1144 immediately and Rapid Response volunteers and immigration attorneys will be ready to assist. We stand with all of our community, regardless of immigration status.

Business

•  Business Support: The City’s Office of Economic Development emergency response has set up an email, [email protected], for businesses, employers, workers, owners, and managers who need business-related information or support during the COVID-19 crisis. The mailbox will be monitored by staff who speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This is also the “sender” address for our emails to businesses on COVID-19 issues.

Denver, the largest city in Colorado, is offering businesses up to $7,500 if they are in an industry that is particularly impacted by the crisis. There still aren’t many details on how this program will work, but interested businesses can fill out a form here.

Denver

Small business relief program form.

Denver has established an initial relief fund of $4 million to soften the blow for small businesses suffering in the wake of the closures caused by COVID-19. The emergency relief fund, announced by Denver Economic Development and Opportunity, promises to provide up to $7,500 to qualifying small businesses. Those impacted by the pandemic the most — such as the food industry — will be first in line to receive the funds.

The funds will be distributed by Mile High United Way and Downtown Denver Partnership. The organizations also said they are seeking to expand the relief fund through donations in collaboration with the city. Relief will not only be offered to small businesses — certain artists can qualify for grants as well. Denver Arts & Venues will give up to $1,000 to artists who have been greatly affected by the cancellation of performances, classes and events.

Denver City Council to pass bill allocating $10M for COVID-19 emergency fundAs the novel coronavirus rages on, Denver City Council on Monday night is expected to pass a bill that will move $10 million in contingency funds into a special revenue fund that will support coronavirus expenses.The money will be used for the purchasing of certain services and supplies, such as deep cleaning and personal protective equipment; personnel services, including overtime; and capital purchases, such as extra beds and even new facilities.

The city is also expected to greenlight a bill that would set aside $4 million for business owners hardest hit by the coronavirus. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced the emergency relief fund in a press conference on March 19.The bill moves $2 million from contingency and $1.5 million from the Business Investment Fund to create a new fund for business support at a total of $3.5 million.

Gov. John Carney announced that restaurants, bars, hotels and other hospitality businesses will be eligible for the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP), offering no-interest loans at up to $10,000 per business per month. The loans have a 10-year term and have payments deferred for nine months. To be eligible, a business must have been operating for at least a year, have annual revenue below $1.5 million and be in a hospitality-connected industry. You can email [email protected] to see if you qualify or call 302-739-4271 with more questions.

Georgia has received an official statewide disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), making it possible for small business owners and non-profit organizations in all 159 Georgia counties to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The state has also delayed registration and registration fees for all corporations.

Atlanta

Executive Order includes $1.5 million to support small business continuity and $1.5 million to assist hourly wage earners of businesses engaged with the City of Atlanta. See the press release.

Another Executive Order gives relief to airport concessionaires and rental car companies; 47% of the airport concessionaires at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are ACDBEs.  Legislation passed unanimously so that airport concessionaries and care rental agencies can stay open and pay employees while sales are low due to air travel being extremely reduced. See the press release.

Invest Atlanta is providing no interest loans to small businesses (Under 50 people, in business over a year) in Atlanta from $5k to $30k per business who have been impacted.

Relief Atlanta: Aiming to provide an easy place to search for and donate to Atlanta industry folk during this time of quarantine. Bars, restaurants, their employees, film industry.

East Atlanta COVID-19 Business Offerings has compiled an ongoing list of takeout/delivery and other ways to support local businesses during this time.

Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative: In response to the COVID-19 virus, Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative is leading a coordinated, inclusive effort to understand the challenges and opportunities businesses are experiencing, even beyond the immediate and typical, as a result of the COVID-19 Virus. The purpose of these efforts is to strategically and quickly respond, while limiting long-term mitigating factors to ensure small businesses, especially people of color owned businesses, do not fail as a result of COVID-19. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of resources currently available to small business owners. We will continue to update this list as new information becomes available. Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative’s Small Business Covid-19 Resource List

Chicago, Illinois’ largest city, is working with the Catalyst Fund and private sponsors to offer the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund. It will provide more than $100 million in low-interest loans to businesses severely impacted by the crisis, focusing on historically under-resourced communities. Up to $50,000 will be available to a single business. The program launches March 31, but interested businesses can fill out an interest form here.

The state of Illinois also has three programs. The Hospitality Emergency Grant Program has $14 million in funds for bars and restaurants impacted by the crisis. Businesses that generated less than $500,000 revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $10,000. Establishments with between $500,000 and $1 million in 2019 revenue are eligible for $25,000. Bars and restaurants with 2019 revenue of between $1 million and $8 million are eligible for up to $50,000. Apply here. Applications are taken through April 1 and recipients are chosen via lottery.

The second program in Illinois is the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund. These are loans for up to $50,000 available for businesses outside of Chicago with fewer than 50 workers and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019. Apply here.

The final Illinois program is the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program, offering grants of up to $25,000. Local governments will apply for these loans on behalf of local businesses with 50 employees or less. The application is here.

Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed a $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund that will provide low-interest loans to the city’s struggling small businesses.

Indianapolis

Approved for SBA disaster assistance, so those loans are now open for application (administered by our Chamber’s CDFI).

Local Arts Council has launched a program specifically for creative workers.

See our one-stop-shop for info.

Iowa has launched the Iowa Small Business Relief Program, giving assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. The program offers grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 which can be used to help maintain operations or reopen following the pandemic. Funds cannot be used to pay debts incurred before March 17, 2020. The application deadline is March 31, and the application is available here.

Iowa also has a business tax deferral, allowing businesses to defer taxes and have penalties waive. Apply for that program here.

Kansas allocated $5 million for the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) fund to provide bridge loans to businesses in the hospitality industry. The loans are for up to $20,000 at a 0% rate over a period of 36 months. Kansas has allocated all of the initial funds but is still asking businesses to fill out the form here to continue to collect information about businesses that need help.

Louisville

(Public/private)

A coalition of government and philanthropy has joined together to create the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund that will rapidly deploy resources to households, businesses, and community-based organizations (nonprofit organizations) working at the Community Foundation of Louisville, Louisville Metro Government, and Metro United Way.

In addition to community-based organizations, households and small businesses disproportionately impacted by this outbreak will be eligible for funds. Louisville Metro Government is developing and will soon share here details about how funds will be distributed to households and small businesses.

Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, giving short-term interest free loans to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program, Each loan is for one year and can for up to $50,000. Apply for the program online here.

New Orleans

(Public/private/Crowdsourcing)

NOLABA is standing up a relief fund to meet the needs of gig economy workers who have been directly impacted via loss of income.  NOLABA committed $100,000 to initiate the fund, with a goal of increasing the fund assets to a minimum of $500,000. As of 3/20 the fund is at $200K+.  The program has received 500+ applications.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the city is waiving fines, fees, interest and penalties on sales tax payments due to the city for 60 days. In addition, the City will extend the renewal period for alcoholic beverage outlets, or ABOs, up to 30 days without penalty.

In addition, according to NOLABA:

•  Residential Evictions have been suspended through April 24.
•  United Way and Entergy are providing grants for hospitality workers.
•  Mayor Cantrell has formed several committees that are meeting every weekday to provide help in coordinating the city’s COVID-19 response. Groups are providing guidance, input, identifying resources and solutions in the following areas: Boards & Commissions, Business Coordination, Colleges & Universities, Faith-Based Community, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, Housing & Independent Living, K-12 Education, Neighborhood Leaders, Nonprofit Community, Public-Facing Government Operations, Transportation, Utilities and Vulnerable populations.
•  A CDFI Consortium is coordinating to provide emergency loans to the InvestNOLA cohort and subsequently to other ethnic minority-owned businesses. 

Maine has launched a program for small businesses to get loans of up to $50,000 at the Wall Street Journal Prime rate minus 1%. The term is 12 months but can be extended. The application package is here and can be sent to [email protected].

Maine also has a $100,000 loan available for businesses waiting to receive SBA loans — which would then pay off the state loan. Apply for that program here.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be offering grants of up to $10,000 and loans of between $50,000 and $200,000 with interest rates of 0.25%. A total of $10 million loans and $10 million in grants will be available. Loans are for companies with 100 employees or less while grants are only for companies with 50 employees or less. Funding will be available around April 1. Application details aren’t available yet but will be posted here.

Detroit

TechTown launches emergency fund for Detroit small businesses

TechTown is launching the Detroit Small Business Stabilization Fund to support the needs of small businesses impacted by COVID-19. In an effort to accelerate access to capital for Detroit’s most vulnerable businesses, TechTown — in partnership with the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), and Invest Detroit — will administer working capital grants in amounts of up to $5,000 to qualifying small businesses.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has released a guide that shares the highlights of state and federal programs that have been developed to help small businesses. Click here to view the guide.

St. Paul

St. Paul OKs $1,000 emergency grants for up to 1,000 families affected by COVID-19

St. Paul will provide emergency cash assistance for up to 1,000 families and 300 small businesses that have lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to allocate $3.3 million from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) budget to the St. Paul Bridge Fund, which will provide $1,000 grants to families and $7,500 grants to businesses. Local foundations and corporations are contributing an additional $600,000.

Governor Charlie Baker’s administration has waived penalties for paying certain taxes late for businesses impacted by the pandemic, such as restaurants.

Boston

(State)

A $10 million small business recovery loan fund for small businesses that are impacted by COVID-19.  The fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofit groups.Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first six months

(Public/Private)

The emerging priorities of the Boston Resiliency Fund are to provide food for children and seniors, technology for remote learning for students, and support to first responders and healthcare workers. This fund can only make grants to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or those groups with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor. 

(City)

The City has established the Small Business Financial Relief Fund to help businesses most impacted by COVID-19 in an effort to provide immediate help and guidance.

The New Mexico Small Business Investment Corporation (NMSBIC) recently committed up to $25 million to its lending partners to assist New Mexico businesses that have been impacted by market disruption related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Albuquerque 

City announced a $500,000 Micro-Business Relief Program to provide vital economic support to Albuquerque businesses needing assistance in overcoming the temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19.

New Mexico: The New Mexico Economic Development Department created the COVID-19 Business Loan Guarantee Program to aid small businesses seeking emergency loans or lines of credit. The program can guarantee a portion of a loan or line of credit up to 80% of principal or $50,000.

The Garden State launched the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. This program offers grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 for businesses with between 1 and ten employees. Applications are not yet available but will be here.

New Jersey also has a Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program, offering loans of up to $100,000 to companies with less than $5 million in revenue with a physical commercial location in the state.  Applications are set to open soon here.

The state also has a Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program. This program offers $10 million in working capital loans to businesses with less than $5 million in annual revenue. The loans are guaranteed at 50% not to exceed a total of $1oo,ooo with premier lenders. The application will be here.

There are a few New York State coronavirus relief programs aimed at helping small businesses.

The following programs are available in New York:

• New York City Employee Retention Grant Program. This is for businesses within the five boroughs of New York City with between one and four employees who can demonstrate that COVID-19 has caused at least a 25% drop in revenue. Businesses must have been in operation for at least 6 months. Businesses can get a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll, capped at $27,000. Apply here.
• New York City Small Business Continuity Loan Fund. This program is for businesses located in New York City with fewer than 100 employees who have lost at least 25% of revenue because of the pandemic. The program offers zero interest loans for up to $75,000. Fill out the pre-application here.

Outside of official government programs, there are other places providing help to small businesses. If you run a non-profit, you may be eligible for a loan from the New York Community Trust. The James Beard Foundation is providing help to small independent restaurants impacted by the crisis. Non-profit organization Southern Smoke is helping both restaurants and their employees.

The federal CARES Act also has $5 billion earmarked for the New York State government. There hasn’t been any announcement yet as to what that will fund, but it must go directly to COVID-19 relief.

New York City

• The NYC Small Business Services is offering businesses with fewer than five employees grants to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees and sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero-interest loans up to $75,000.
• COVID-19 Business Assistance Survey – Thank you for filling out this interest form and letting us know about the impact of COVID-19 on your business. Please continue to monitor your email – we will send information regarding the new loan and grant program for impacted small businesses, including application links, in the coming days.
• Comprehensive list of resources for NYC – The New York State Youth Leadership Council is compiling this live document of resources and funding in NYC around COVID19 support efforts. They are prioritizing resources open to undocumented people.

Rochester

Grant applications can be found  on the City website. 

• NEW Business Emergency Retention Grant Program: Grants may be utilized towards working capital to pay business expenses to continue operations and retain employees. Average grant awards are $2,000. Working capital expenses may include: Payroll, insurance, utility expenses, inventory and other similarly related short-term debt and operating expenses necessary to continue operations. Find the application here>>

• NEW City of Rochester and REDCO Request for 90 Day Loan Deferral: Businesses that have current loans with the City of Rochester and/or the Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) may request a 90-day deferral of loan payments. 

Find the the City of Rochester Request for 90-Day Loan Payment Deferral application here>>

Find the REDCO Request for 90-Day Loan Payment Deferment application here>>

• NEW  KIVA Rochester Expands Loan Access to Aid Small Businesses: The Kiva Rochester crowd funding program has expanded its access to interest-free loans to help local small businesses weather the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak. Kiva has increased the maximum loan amount to 15,000 (from $10,000); waived certain financial requirements to expand eligibility; and instituted a new six-month grace period on the first loan repayment. Learn how to apply for a Kiva loan at cityofrochester.gov/kiva

• NEW U.S. Small Business Administration Loans: the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses impacted by COVID-19 crisis. Loans are up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue.
• The SBA is also offering an Express Bridge Loan authorizing SBA Express Lenders to provide small businesses with in expedited SBA-guaranteed bridge loans of up to $25,000 to  while those small businesses apply for and await long-term financing. More information can be found on the SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources webpage>>
• NEW Monroe County Emergency Small Business Support Program: In light of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, Monroe Couny has established a 0 percent interest loan of up to $10,000 to support small businesses (50 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees) impacted by the pandemic. More information can be found on the Monroe County economic development webpage>>

Syracuse 

The Syracuse Economic Development Corp. created a $500,000 fund to provide 0%-interest, 180-day emergency loans up to $25,000 to the city’s small businesses.

Charlotte

Lending Tree is partnering with the City to provide $1 million to kickstart a fundraising effort along with support from the Foundation for the Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas. The Fund will retain flexibility to respond to evolving and emerging needs. The initial priority is to address the immediate basic human needs of our residents by deploying resources to trusted organizations that respond to, and are impacted by, the coronavirus outbreak.

The following programs are available in Oregon:

• The town of Beaverton — a suburb of Portland — has formed an Emergency Business Assistance Program. The program is for businesses with a Beaverton business license who have seen their business impacted by mandatory state guidelines. For now, that means restaurants. The program reimburses up for $2,500 a month for those businesses with 50 employees or less who can verify they are seeing an economic loss due to COVID-19. Apply here.
• Hillsboro, Oregon put committed up to $500,000 for businesses impacted by COVID-19 but the program has stopped accepting applications due to demand.
• The Jade District in Portland has up to $190,000 available for businesses impacted by the outbreak. Apply here.

Portland

Prosper Portland, the City’s urban economic development agency,  is partnering with APANO to provide $150,000 in grants to businesses with Asian/Pacific Islander (API) ownership, particularly those within the Jade District, centered on Southeast 82nd Avenue and Division Street, which is home to many Asian-American business owners, some of whom have seen their revenue drop by as much as 60% for the last 6-8 weeks as a result of xenophobia and racism.

Prosper Portland is prepared to offer a three-month deferral of loan payments to our borrowers who request it and whose business has experienced a decline in revenue of 10% or more. We’re prioritizing staff time to work with small, public-facing businesses with annual revenues under $1 million as quickly as possible.

We are offering our commercial tenants rent relief as well. For businesses that have experienced a decline in revenue of 10% or more, we’re prepared to provide a three-month deferral of rent payments for April, May and June 2020. 

More information available.

Philadelphia

(Public-private)

The City and PIDC will launch a program to support Philadelphia businesses, help maintain payroll obligations, and preserve jobs impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The program will be a tiered program that aims to provide targeted support for small businesses.

The program will include a mix of new grants and zero-interest loans for Philadelphia businesses that make under $5 million in annual revenue. PIDC will continue to offer its existing lending programs for small and midsize businesses on flexible terms to provide working capital, fund contract receivables, refinance high-interest debt, and meet other needs.

The city’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund is providing immediate relief to local small businesses in the form of grants and zero-interest loans.

Pittsburgh

(Public)

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)  has resources available for its small business borrowers, as well as small businesses located in the City of Pittsburgh, potentially impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Also paid sick days statement from Mayor Peduto: “Starting today [March 15], all workers in Pittsburgh are guaranteed to have paid sick days through their employer

(Private)

Pittsburgh foundations pledge $10 million to help those hardest hit by COVID-19

The first phase of the rapid-response grants will address:

• The economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak;
• Immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by closures and cancellations related to COVID-19;
• Increased demand for medical information and support for health care;
• Communications and research support to better assess need and improve information flow for the region’s most vulnerable residents

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh has announced a Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program to provide interest-free loans on a nonsectarian basis for up to $5,000 to residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, and Armstrong counties who are facing financial challenges caused by COVID-19.

Austin

(Public/private) 

Mayor Adler helped launch Stand With Austin—a fund administered by Austin Community Foundation and the Entrepreneurs Foundation that’s designed to collect charitable donations to assist individuals and small businesses negatively impacted by the cancellation of SXSW

The Foundations will appoint a community advisory committee that will advise on the disbursement of funds. The advisory committee will assist with the following: Observe and follow best practices of similar disaster relief funds; Establish fund governance, process, criteria for directing any funds, etc.; Raise the initial matching funds and publicize the fund to raise contributions; Distribute, award and direct relief consistent with the mission of the fund, engaging proven partners with relationships with targeted recipients

(Private/philanthropic)

Austin relief fund for those in the food and beverage industry and for individuals and businesses suffering a loss of income by SXSW’s cancellation. Should workers contract the virus, funds will also provide emergency aid to those unable to remain on the job.

Fort Worth

The CIty has issued this COVID business survey.  General resources can be found here.

San Antonio

Small Business State Assistance: In order for Texas to receive an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Declaration, businesses will need to fill out an Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet certifying the business has suffered substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance. Worksheets and questions can be submitted to [email protected]. 

Small Business County Assistance: Bexar County Commissioners Court announced that they will be providing $5 million for interest free loans and $250k in grants for small businesses that have suffered financial losses due to the ongoing situation. More information to come.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced COVID-19 fund for small businesses: On Monday, March 30, 2020, Mayor Andy Berke announced that the City of Chattanooga will make approximately $2.5 million available for small business relief. This relief will be provided to small businesses in the form of grants and loans. Grants and loans are based on the availability of funding, pending approval by the Chattanooga City Council and the Industrial Development Board. Initial grants and loans are available to small businesses that had fewer than 50 employees prior to the passage of the Mayor’s executive orders. Priority will be shown to businesses directly impacted by Mayor Berke’s Executive Orders, including restaurants, fitness centers, barbershops, hair salons, tanning salons, etc. The target date for opening initial applications is Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

The Paycheck Protection Program provides eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to small employers who keep paying their employees during this emergency. Call your bank and ask about this Small Business Administration (SBA) loan that helps businesses under 500 employees keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The CARES Act appropriated almost $350 billion to the new Paycheck Protection Program.  

Memphis

Current Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) resources (continuously evolving). It includes national and local resources. 

Salt Lake City

Business owners based in the area can apply for 0% interest loans up to $20,000 as part of the city’s emergency loan program.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville Restaurant Community Fund (GoFundMe) – They are asking restaurant owners and staff  to let them know what they need help with. The fund is helping to provide essential groceries, gas money, money for uber trips, formula and food for industry families, etc… Restaurant owners are also sending over lists of staff that need the most financial help. All information will be kept private, nothing about your financial need or need for resources will be made public.

Richmond

Richmond Economic Development Authority creates no-interest disaster loan program for small businesses

The Richmond Economic Development Authority today created the Richmond Small Business Disaster Loan Program (COVID-19), which will offer interest-free emergency loans of up to $20,000 to small businesses within city limits.

The program is intended to provide relief to small businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Monies will go toward paying employee wages, empowering local, small businesses to continue operating and keep employees on their payroll.

Cleveland

The Governor’s executive order regarding unemployment compensation will assist Ohio workers directly impacted by the COVID-19 health emergency, according to Ohio Lt Governor Jon Husted. “He will be issuing this executive order that will make several changes to Ohio’s unemployment law and state agency policy to enable workers that do not have paid leave benefits to access unemployment benefits during this period of emergency.”

The order will also clarify the definition of unemployed. “We will be broadening the current state policy to clarify that individuals that are quarantined by a health professional or by their employer are considered to be unemployed and will not be subject to the requirements to actively seek work, during this period of emergency,” said Husted.

The order also applies to companies that determine it is necessary to temporarily shut down operations.The one-week waiting period before receiving benefits will be waived and payments expedited.

Milwaukee

• The Ethnic & Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC) – The EDBC is a coalition of 14 ethnic and diverse chambers of commerce and partner organizations that serve the State of Wisconsin.
  
  The COVID-19 Small Business Impact Grant is to assist small ethnic and diverse businesses of any industry that are a business member in of one of our coalition members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before filling out this application, please note that you MUST be a member in good standing with one of our member Chambers of Commerce. If you are NOT a member of a chamber, please reach out to a chamber (you can view a list at www.edbcwisconsin.org) to view chamber memberships and to inquire about your eligibility. Grants will be available up to $500.
  
  If you have any questions, please call (414) 287-4172 for more information., PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT GRANT.

• Kiva has expanded lending terms and eligibility to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Downtown businesses in our communities that are women-, minority- and/or veteran-owned are also eligible for a 50% match from WEDC to expedite their loan. Encourage businesses to apply, and/or sign up to be a lender on the Kiva website. 

Seattle

(City)

•  Seattle Office of Economic Development grants of up to $10,000. Drawing from a $1.5 million addition to the city’s Small Business Stabilization Fund, these grants are available to small business owners who make 80 percent or less of the area’s median income; have a physical location and five or fewer employees; and have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19. Financials must be shared as part of the process. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. (Update: It sounds like the mayor will add another $1 million to the fund due to the high number of applications.)
• Information about the city’s business and occupation tax deadline extension. The city’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services extended the city’s B&O filing deadline for businesses who reported $5 million or less in revenue in 2019 and pay their B&O tax on a quarterly basis. The first and second quarters of 2020 will tentatively be due on or before October 31. The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) is also working with affected businesses who need tax filing extensions, and it may also waive late payments in certain situations. Contact the DOR at 360-705-6705.
•  Deferred payment plans with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle City Light (SCL), and Puget Sound Energy. Utilities will be kept on in Seattle throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Commercial customers can set up deferred payment plans with SCL or SPU by calling 206-684-3000 or emailing here. Also, gas provider Puget Sound Energy will not be disconnecting customers, instead waiving late fees and offering payment plans.
• The details on Mayor Jenny Durkan’s moratorium on the eviction of small businesses and nonprofits. Announced March 18, Durkan’s emergency order bans evictions until the emergency ends or for 60 days. The city council still needs to weigh in.
• Seattle Turns Soda Tax Revenue into Emergency Grocery Vouchers During Pandemic: Seattle is now drawing on the beleaguered soda tax fund to provide emergency $800 grocery vouchers for 6,250 families. Sent in two $400 installments, the first round of vouchers that can be put toward groceries (excluding alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and lottery tickets) at any Safeway in the state have already been mailed. The second round will be mailed in April. The vouchers are intended to provide $100 per week for eight weeks, a calculation of the minimum amount to sustain a household based on metrics from other nutrition programs.

(Private)

•  Amazon’s Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund cash grants for South Lake Union and Regrade small businesses. The e-commerce giant will draw from a $5 million fund to support businesses with less than $7 million in annual revenue or fewer than 50 employees with a few blocks of its Seattle headquarters.

• DMV Service Industry Rapid Response Funds Application – Are you in the restaurant/service industry? Are you currently facing financial hardship due to the recent restaurant closures? Please fill out this form so we can assess your needs and distribute funds accordingly!
• DMV Restaurant Worker Relief Fund – Funds will be dispersed on an as-need basis after workers fill out the form below to apply for funds. 

(District)

• Mayor Bowser is investing $25 million in the COVID-19 Recovery Effort and the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrant Program, which will be housed in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Funds are for Small businesses principally located in D.C. with more that 50% of owners, employees, or gross receipts based in the District.  Also for Non-profits and Independent Contractors/Self-Employed