COVID-19 Disaster Relief Resources
This is a list of resources to assist you in coping with the effects of COVID-19 on your small business. We will be updating this list as the situation develops.
SBA Disaster Relief Funds
SBA has re-opened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance to eligible businesses. Apply here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
For more information click here.
From SBA website regarding forgiveness:
Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease. The loan forgiveness form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:
• Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles
• Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the 24-week period after receiving their PPP loan
• Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness
• Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30
• Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined
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Click here to download the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (06-16-2020) (Spanish version)
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Click here to download the Paycheck Protection Program EZ Loan Forgiveness Application (06-16-2020)
Use this link to find a lender offering the PPP: https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find
Other Federal Resources
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SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
Information for how the SBA Disaster Assistance program will impact Pennsylvania Businesses can be found here.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
(Reuters) – The United States will give individuals, and small and mid-sized businesses a three-month tax holiday to try to fight the economic impact of the novel coronavirus, President Donald Trump said Wednesday night.
Pennsylvania Resources
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has allocated $225 million for COVID-19 relief to small businesses through a distribution to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
This fact sheet has key information to help your business prepare for the spread of COVID-19. Due to this evolving situation, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 webpage for frequently updated information, guidance, and materials.
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Department of Commerce and Economic Development Resources:
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General Resources page including links to funding opportunities, exemption forms for essential business status, and further information: https://dced.pa.gov/resources/
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COVID-19 Guide for Construction Companies Who Were Greenlighted to Get Back to Work on Friday, May 1:
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Governor Wolf posted a COVID-19 guide for construction companies who were greenlighted to get back to work on Friday, May 1. Businesses that have questions about whether this guidance applies to them may email the Department of Labor and Industry at RA-LIBOIS-BUILDINGS@pa.gov.
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More Information: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-issues-guidance-as-construction-industry-prepares-to-resume-work-may-1/
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Construction industry guide: View PDF here.
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Unemployment Compensation Resources
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Main link for COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Information: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx
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Link for employers: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Employer-COVID19-FAQs.aspx
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This document is a guideline and checklist for the program: Guideline for Payroll Protection Program
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Guidelines for Farmers
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For information as it relates to agriculture during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov/COVID.
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Erie Resources
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Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority COVID-19 Response Fund
The COVID-19 Response Fund will include one new grant program and two new loan programs created to help meet rapidly rising needs generated as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The three emergency programs include: Immediate Human Relief Fund, Civic Institution Deferred Income Loans, and Small Business Loan Program. More information: https://www.ecgra.org/covid-19-response-fund
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
The ERCGP updates this page frequently with the most up to date information available for local business owners within the Erie County area. https://www.eriepa.com/coronavirus-erie
Other Resources
Facebook has developed a resource center to provided small businesses with resources to help them navigate any unexpected challenges they may face during the COVID-19 outbreak.