Small Business Preparedness and Recovery Resources for the Coronavirus: Keep Calm and Small Business On.
At the South Carolina SBDC Network, the health and well-being of our customers, employees, and community remain our top priority. We understand that this is a stressful time and that small businesses like yours may be experiencing unexpected consequences as a result of the the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are committed to keeping you informed regarding our service offerings and resources to protect your small business. Our network of consultants is available via phone, email and online to provide disaster assistance should your business experience economic injury or other unintended consequences.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
· Include the disaster in your application - specifically name "COVID-19" or "Coronavirus"
· Apply online versus by mail
· Write your password down; neither the system nor any personnel are able to retrieve it
· Save your work at every prompt. The website may go down periodically due to high volume. If this happens, try to login again at a later time.
· Do not rush through the application. Check and recheck the filing requirements to ensure that all the needed information is completed prior to submission. The biggest reason for delays in processing is due to missing information.
· Be sure to use the same contact information (business name and the name of all owners) that you use on your federal tax returns. Double check that they match.
· If your tax returns reference other businesses that you own, you must also submit those tax returns in order to avoid processing delay.
· If more funds are needed, applicants can submit supporting documents and a request for an increase. However, SBA recommends that you ask for the total amount you think you will need in your first application. This will be easier and faster for you to get your money. If less funds are needed, applicants can request a reduction in the loan amount.
· If the loan request is denied, the applicant will be given up to six months in which to provide new information and submit a written request for reconsideration.
· Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
Check the status of your EIDL application here.
· Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155
· Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20200324
The press release has useful links in the third paragraph (a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers, and a Questions and Answers). Please continue to check the COVID-19 and the Workplace website as well, which is frequently updated with more information: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.
How to use Zoom - Sarah Hines training 36 mins Password: COVID
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
Scam and Fraud Scheme Advisory List
1. SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or Disaster loans. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud. (The SC SBDC will only reach out to you if you have at some point signed up as a client. All communication will be sent from your assigned consultant.)
2. SBA does not provide grants to small businesses. SBA provides guarantees to lenders to encourage them to make loans to small businesses. If you are contacted via social media about a SBA grant program for small businesses, suspect fraud.
3. If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud. The SC SBDC consulting services are always at no charge to you.
4. Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your personally identifiable information (PII), to obtain personal banking access, or to install ransomware/malware on your computer. (The SC SBDC will never need access to your personal banking.)
5. If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number.
6. SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
7. Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with .gov.
8. The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guaranty the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at sba.gov.
9. If you have a question about getting a SBA disaster loan, call 800.659.2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
10. If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 800.827.5722 or send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov.
Report Fraud:
Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at, https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-inspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
Scam and Fraud Scheme Advisory List
1. SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or Disaster loans. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud. (The SC SBDC will only reach out to you if you have at some point signed up as a client. All communication will be sent from your assigned consultant.)
2. SBA does not provide grants to small businesses. SBA provides guarantees to lenders to encourage them to make loans to small businesses. If you are contacted via social media about a SBA grant program for small businesses, suspect fraud.
3. If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud. The SC SBDC consulting services are always at no charge to you.
4. Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your personally identifiable information (PII), to obtain personal banking access, or to install ransomware/malware on your computer. (The SC SBDC will never need access to your personal banking.)
5. If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number.
6. SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
7. Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with .gov.
8. The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guaranty the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at sba.gov.
9. If you have a question about getting a SBA disaster loan, call 800.659.2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
10. If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 800.827.5722 or send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov.
Report Fraud:
Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at, https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-inspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline.
The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program reopened April 26th, 2021and includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
To protect the public health of all South Carolinians, while also supporting business and industry essential to life health, safety and the integrity of the state’s economic infrastructure, Team SC has established a process for clarifying the designation of non-essential businesses outlined in Governor McMaster’s Executive Order 2020-17.
If your business falls outside one of the categories of companies listed in the attached definition of “non-essential”, then continue your business operations, using all CDC, SC DHEC and applicable OSHA public safety guidance.
If you are unsure whether your business is categorized as non-essential, you can submit a Clarification of Business Designation Form online (https://www.sccommerce.com/clarification-business-designation-form). A SC Commerce team member will respond with an official determination for your business within 24 hours. We know that all South Carolina businesses are important; however, if your business is determined to be non-essential, then discontinue operations and stay home (and take care of your family and loved ones).
Thank you for all that you are doing to support South Carolina during this unprecedented COVID-19 event.
Live venue operators or promoters
Theatrical producers
Live performing arts organization operators
Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
Motion picture theater operators
Talent representatives, and
Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements
Other requirements of note: Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020 Venue or promoter must not have applied for or received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020
Grant amount will be either:
For an eligible entity in operation on January 1, 2019, grants will be for an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
For an eligible entity that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be for the average monthly gross earned revenue for each full month you were in operation during 2019 multiplied by six (6) OR $10 million, whichever is less.
Americans for the Arts and a consortium of funders introduced the new $10 million Artist Relief Fund for artists facing dire financial circumstances due to COVID-19. The fund launches with $5 million in seed funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation matched with $5 million in initial contributions from an array of foundations across the United States.
Each week through September, Artist Relief will provide grants to 100 artists from multiple disciplines. It relies on the support of a growing number of foundations and individual donors and will continue to evolve over the coming months as the needs of artists shift. Organizers will continue to raise funds to assist with the rapidly escalating needs of the country's artists.
Applications are now open, and the deadline to apply for the first funding cycle is April 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Subsequent deadlines are:
· Cycle II: April 24-May 21 (closes 11:59 p.m. ET)
· Cycle III: May 22-June 18 (closes 11:59 p.m. ET)
· Cycle IV: June 19-July 23 (closes 11:59 p.m. ET)
· Cycle V: July 24-August 20 (closes 11:59 p.m. ET)
Those in need can apply for assistance here, and those who are able may donate to the fund here.
04.05.2021 - Navigating the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application PortalSVOG Presentation Slides
SAM.gov Entity Registration Training
SBA Form 3515 Shuttered Venues Grant Application
Quick Start Guide for Contract Registration
SBA is in the process of setting up the grant program and is not yet accepting applications. Those who have suffered the greatest economic loss will be the first applications processed under the following schedule:
First Priority (1st 14 days of grant award): Entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Priority (Next 14 days of grant awards): Entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third Priority (Beginning 28 days after First & Second Priority Awards are made): Entities that suffered a 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.
Supplemental Funding (Available after all Priority Periods have passed): Recipients of First, Second, and Third Priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of 04-01-21 or later)
Frequently Asked Questions| April 8, 2021
Preliminary Application Checklist | March 11, 2021
Here are some tech tips as you go through your application:
If you have only one bank account in your SAM.gov registration, your Electronic Funds Transfer Indicator is 0000 (FAQ #53 under Application).
If you want to remove an uploaded file, try uploading a new file to replace the file you wish to delete.
If you’re seeing a zero-grant amount in the calculator, that could be because of an invalid start date, an offsetting PPP loan amount, or an insufficient revenue loss.
If you email the SVOG Support Center, you may receive an email back from a zendesk.com account. This is an authorized SBA contractor.
You do not need to complete a physical SF-424B document because the information required is captured when you register for SAM.gov.
For technical support with the SVOG portal, password resets, or help with authenticator apps, contact 1-800-659-2955 or 1-800-877-8339 (TTY).
For those who have submitted their applications, the SBA anticipates SVOGs awards will start in late May, so continue monitoring the email account associated with your application. All application status changes will be communicated through email.
As reminder, per federal grant program guidelines that require the same and equal information be provided to each applicant, SBA’s team members are limited on responses they can provide to applicants, including specific questions regarding SVOG eligibility, potential grant amount, and other detailed information.
5.24.2021 - The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is closed as of May 24th 2021.
Through the American Rescue Plan Act, the SBA launched the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. SBA received over 370,000 applications from restaurant owners across the United States. The program provided critical funding to over 105,000 restaurants representing $28.6 billion dollars. The program supported 3,777 small restaurants with gross receipts of less than $50,000 in 2019.
Due to overwhelming demand, the SBA was unable to fund all qualified applications with the original appropriation provided in the American Rescue Plan Act. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund application platform will remain open to allow applicants to check their status, address payment corrections, or ask questions. The SBA will disable access to the platform on July 14, 2021.
RRF Program Guide| April 17, 2021
Additional information will be translated and posted periodically, and all documents are being provided for informational purposes only. Please view COVID-19 recovery information in other languages here.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by this unprecedented event and we appreciate the healthcare workers, local communities, and governments around the world who are on the front line working to contain this coronavirus. We will continue to do our best to communicate useful business resources and provide support to mitigate the impacts of this health situation.
All media requests about the following information should be sent to Susan Sturgeon, Marketing Manager at susan.sturgeon@moore.sc.edu and CC State Director, Michele Abraham at michele.abraham@moore.sc.edu.
Updated 12.9.2021 11:05 am EDT