Business Resources

BUSINESS RESOURCE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
There are many resources becoming available through federal and state sources and it can become confusing. There are several of us in Bladen County, who attempting to keep up on the latest program. 
Terri Dennsion, Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce – 910-862-4386
Todd Lyden, Small Business Development Center, Bladen Community College – 910-879-5572
Chuck Heustess, Bladen County Economic Development – 910-645-2292

UPDATE AUGUST 5, 2020

COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19
The purpose of the County of Bladen Economic Development Emergency Local Small Business Funding Program is to assist Bladen County-based small businesses that are experiencing financial difficulties such as mandated shutdowns, employee layoffs, and operating losses as a result of ongoing efforts nationwide to contain and minimize the spread of the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
Bladen County-based businesses that are interested in the Emergency Local Small Business Funding Program should complete this application and begin to collect the required documents as outlined below. The deadline for submitting application is September 1, 2020. However, applications will be accepted for approval on a first come, first served basis until funds are depleted. Submission of application and adherence to stated guidelines does not guarantee funding.

Download: Bladen County Small Business Grant Application for COVID-19 related expenses

 

NC SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY
Earlier this month, Hometown Strong shared news from the NC Rural Center about the launch of an emergency small business lending program in response to the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 on North Carolina’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners.  The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program remains open and is still receiving applications for small business bridge loan relief in anticipation of an additional $75 million investment should the NC Legislature agree with Governor Cooper’s proposal on use of the Federal CARES Act.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FUNDING INCREASED
Additionally, the second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans began Monday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m.  Please consider communicating with your community’s business owners as you see fit the following information about the federal Paycheck Protection Program, by the US Small Business Administration.
PPP Website [sba.gov]
PPP Frequently Asked Questions [sba.gov]
PPP List of Participating Lenders [sba.gov]

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS & SELF-EMPLOYED
Independent contractors and self-employed workers out of work because of the COVID-19 outbreak can now apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance at des.nc.gov.

  • If you have already applied and been denied for state unemployment benefits, you may need to provide additional information to apply again. You should sign into your online account and click on the ‘Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance’ link to complete the application process.
  • If you need assistance filing your PUA claim, call the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance line at 866-847-7209.
  • More information and detailed instructions are here.
  • So far, North Carolina has paid out a total of more than $636 million in unemployment benefits to more than 280,000 people since the start of the outbreak.

Tips For Small Businesses_040720_ NCEDP –  from NC Main Street & Rural Program Center

 CARES – CORONANVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT

On Friday, April 24, Congress increased funding for both the Payroll Protection Program and the Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) –U.S._Chamber_Top_Line_Summary_of_New_Cares_Act_Funding

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocates $349 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the current circumstances they are encountering. The CARES Act provides funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, modifies the existing Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and provides immediate loan payment relief for current SBA 7(a) borrowers.
SBA Loan Overview and Comparison 4.1.20 –  from the Small Business and Technology Development Center

US Chamber Guide to Emergency Loans

Resources for restaurant owners

Small Business Center Resources for COVID-19

SBA Lenders – includes several local banks: CresCom, First Bank, Wells Fargo and others.

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN (EIDL) & ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN (EIDL) ADVANCE
SBA Application – applications are made directly to SBA.

SMALL BUSINESS “PAYCHECK PROTECTION” PROGRAM –
Experts are saying these funds can be exhausted quickly. Contact your bank today.

The Treasury Department has released new information about the Paycheck Protection Program. This new loan option prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Please review the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury below and visit their website for additional information.

PPP–Fact-Sheet

Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequenty-Asked-Questions

Paycheck Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3

  • top-line overview of the program can be found here
  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.

Governor Cooper’s March 17 Executive Order covering Restaurants and Unemployment

The intent of executive Order 118 is to limit the congregation of individuals by prohibiting sit-down service in restaurants. Congregation is strongly discouraged to limit the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants are allowed to provide carry-out, drive-through and delivery options. Restaurant staff is not permitted to serve patrons indoors or on an outdoor seating area. If a restaurant has an outdoor seating, onsite consumption in the outdoor seating area is only permitted for carry-out food, and is subject to mass gathering restrictions and social distancing guidelines. Local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys are generally responsible for enforcement of the Order provisions. Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce the Order pursuant to N.C. Ge. Stat. 166A-19.30(a)(2) and violations are punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-288.20A – Larry D. Michael, State Environmental Health Director.

For all general questions, call Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) at 800.228.8443.  BLNC staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.  BLNC staff will connect your business to the appropriate organization for assistance.  All inquiries will receive a response from a confidential business counselor within three (3) business days.  “Se Habla Español.”

EDPNC COVID-19 Business Relief Resources official – includes links to agencies and programs.

Resources for Small Businesses– Information from Senator Tillis on several programs available to small businesses.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

  • Essential workers can now apply for emergency child care subsidy by submitting the COVID-19 Parent Application for Financial Assistance for Emergency Child Care to their child care provider. For more information about local options for children from infants through age 12, call the hotline at 1-888-600-1685.
  • Hope4NC Helpline is a new mental health resource to support North Carolinians throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Call 1-855-587-3463 for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • NC 2-1-1 has launched a new online search tool to help you find resources in your local community during the COVID-19 crisis.