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. 

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Funding Assistance Programs

EIDL

HOW MUCH YOU CAN BORROW:

· Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million. · The interest rates for this disaster are 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years · Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size (must be a small business) and type of business and its financial resources



ELIGIBLE ENTITIES:

  • Applicants must meet the SBA requirements of a small business (500 employees or fewer)
  • Businesses directly affected by COVID-19
  • Faith Based Organizations May Apply for SBA Assistance
  • As of September 8, 2021, Developed additional path to meet program size standards for businesses assigned a NAICS code beginning with 61, 71, 72, 213, 3121, 315, 448, 451, 481, 485, 487, 511, 512, 515, 532, or 812



INELIGIBLE ENTITIES:

  • Agricultural Enterprises: If the primary activity of the business (including its affiliates) is as defined in Section 18(b)(1) of the Small Business Act, neither the business nor its affiliates are eligible
  • Gambling Concerns (Ex: Concerns that derive more that 1/3 of their annual gross revenue from legal gambling activities)
  • Casinos & Racetracks (Ex: Businesses whose purpose for being is gambling (e.g., casinos, racetracks, poker parlors, etc.) are not eligible regardless of 1/3 criteria above.
  • Cannabis Industry



LOAN APPROVAL CRITERIA:

· Credit History: Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA · Repayment: SBA must determine that the applicant business has the ability to repay the SBA loan



HOW THE FUNDS CAN BE USED:

· These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. · The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits or for expansion. · Funds cannot be used to pay down long-term debt.



WHAT IS NEEDED TO APPLY:



OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY BE REQUESTED:

· Complete copy, including all schedules, of the most recent Federal income tax return for principals, general partners or managing member, and affiliates (see filing requirements for more information) · If the most recent Federal income tax return has not been filed, a year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year · A current year-to-date profit-and-loss statement · Additional Filing Requirements (SBA Form 1368) providing monthly sales figures



HOW SOON WILL BUSINESSES RECEIVE MONEY?

· Eligible businesses that submit complete loan packages could receive money within three (3) weeks. · Incomplete information and verification of collateral will delay approval process. The SBA Disaster Team is working tirelessly to process EIDL applications. Please continue to monitor your email for additional correspondence from SBA. Wait times for an initial response from SBA are approximately 2-3 weeks. Questions on your EIDL loan can be directed to the Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. The South Carolina District Office is unable to check the status of EIDL loan applications.



HOW TO APPLY:

· 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



PROGRAM UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 8TH

As of September 8, 2021, new COVID EIDL policy changes have taken effect that entail the below updates to the program: - Maximum loan cap increased from $500,000 to $2 million - Use of funds was expanded to include payment and pre-payment of business non-federal debt incurred at any time (past or future) and payment of federal debt - Extend the deferment period to 24 months from origination for all loans (existing loans with a less than 24-month deferment will be adjusted) - Affiliation requirements simplified to an affiliate is a business that you control or in which you have 50% of more ownership - Developed additional path to meet program size standards for businesses assigned a NAICS code beginning with 61, 71, 72, 213, 3121, 315, 448, 451, 481, 485, 487, 511, 512, 515, 532, or 812
Exclusivity Period: From September 8, 2021 to October 8, 2021, the above policy changes will be applicable to applications for <$500K while applications for >$500K will not be approved and therefore receive the policy changes until October 8, 2021 See more details on the COVID-19 September 8, 2021 Policy Changes.



Tips for Applying

Tips for Applying

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.



Fraud Alert

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.



PPP

Paycheck Protection Program Information

Latest Updates to PPP: Deadline to Apply is May 31st 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $659 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

  • Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.
  • Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
  • If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.

The latest Biden-Harris administration’s enhancements to SBA’s PPP lending program, specifically:

  • Instituting a 14-day period, starting Wednesday, February 24th during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for relief through the Program.
  • Helping sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals receive more financial support.
  • Consistent with a bipartisan bill, eliminating an exclusionary restriction that prevents small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions from obtaining relief through the Paycheck Protection Program.
  • Eliminating an exclusionary restriction that prevents small business owners who are delinquent on their federal student loans from obtaining relief through the Paycheck Protection Program.
  • Ensuring access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to apply for relief.
  • Addressing waste, fraud, and abuse across all federal programs. Unlike the previous round of the PPP, loan guaranty approval is now contingent on passing SBA fraud checks, Treasury's Do Not Pay database, and public records.
  • Promoting transparency and accountability by improving the PPP loan application.
  • Improving the Emergency Relief Digital Front Door.
  • Continuing to conduct extensive stakeholder outreach to learn more about challenges and opportunities in the implementation of current emergency relief programs.
  • Enhancing the current lender engagement model.

White House press release:

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Increases Lending to Small Businesses in Need, Announces Changes to PPP to Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief | The White House

5/19/2020 - Frequently Asked Questions Calculator for the PPP



ELIGIBLE ENTITIES:

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Faith Based Organizations May Apply for SBA Assistance



How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program, please contact your financial institution to see if they are an SBA lender, or would like to become one. A current list of SBA lenders in South Carolina can be found here. For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE The application for borrowers can be found HERE Check out the Intuit® Aid to assist you with calculating your PPP . You can apply through the following for the PPP.



SC CARES Act Relief Grant

SVO Grant

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

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.



Eligible Entities

  • 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



SVO Grant Amount

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.



How to Apply

04.05.2021 - Navigating the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Portal
SVOG Presentation Slides How to Login to SAM.gov 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)



Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions | April 8, 2021 Preliminary Application Checklist | March 11, 2021

Here are some tech tips as you go through your application:

  1. If you have only one bank account in your SAM.gov registration, your Electronic Funds Transfer Indicator is 0000 (FAQ #53 under Application).
  2. If you want to remove an uploaded file, try uploading a new file to replace the file you wish to delete.
  3. 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.
  4. If you email the SVOG Support Center, you may receive an email back from a zendesk.com account. This is an authorized SBA contractor.
  5. You do not need to complete a physical SF-424B document because the information required is captured when you register for SAM.gov.
  6. 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.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

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



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SC SBDC Services & Events

Consulting

All South Carolina SBDC locations remain open at this time. We have modified how we conduct face-to-face engagements with our customers and the general public. Centers are working remotely and will continue to assist clients via phone, email and various online tools. Center phones have either been forwarded to the consultants or they are checking messages regularly. Click Here to sign up for counseling. We are experiencing a high volume of requests but should respond within 24 hours.



Training Events and Workshops

To minimize the health and safety risk to our customers and employees, and prevent the further contraction and spread of COVID-19, all scheduled face-to-face South Carolina SBDC training events and workshops are suspended until further notice. We are working to implement expanded use of remote instruction to provide ongoing small business training services, especially in the area of pandemic planning, preparation, response and recovery. Please check the training events tab at scsbdc.com/training-events for updates on educational programs and events.

View the recording of our Understanding Unemployment Webinar here.



Recovery Resources

The South Carolina SBDC Network is working closely with state and federal officials regarding the availability of disaster resources to recover from economic injury and other impacts as a result of COVID-19. ​ Federal Assistance
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides working capital to small businesses (and some small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations) who have suffered “substantial economic injury” as a result COVID-19. Substantial economic injury means a business has been unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. Find more information on the SBA loan program here. ​ State Assistance
As during any disaster, the South Carolina SBDC is here to help your business prepare and recover. Upon the activation of federal and state disaster assistance, our team of disaster specialists can assist you with preparing and submitting your loan application and with other post-disaster challenges. Our team can also assist you with developing a preparedness plan and with other measures to safeguard your employees, customers, and ensure the continued operation of your business. To sign up for SC SBDC assistance click here. Someone will respond within 24 hours of your submission. ​



Preparedness Resources

The South Carolina SBDC is working closely with federal and state officials to inform and equip small businesses with information regarding COVID-19. You should be ready to implement strategies to protect your employees and customers from the virus, while ensuring the continued operation of your business.
Not too late to plan. Protect your small business.
Despite cases continuing to rise, it’s not too late to take proactive steps to protect your business, employees, and customers. Here are a few things you can do now: 1. Know the signs and symptoms. Reference this  CDC website for what you need to know about COVID-19. 2. Update your disaster preparedness plan. Update your disaster preparedness plan to include guidance on COVID-19. A good plan will cover a number of things, including workplace safety precautions, travel restrictions, supply chain alternatives, procedures around remote work, and more. All of this should be documented to act as an easy-to-reference guide on how to keep the business running in difficult times. 3. Communicate and educate your employees. Most likely, your employees are concerned about their health and well-being and have uncertainties about their work. Communication through a crisis is critical. Discuss proper hygiene etiquette and measures your office is taking to ensure workplace cleanliness and safety. Inform sick or at-risk employees that they should stay at home to minimize health and safety risks for your workplace. If employees are nervous about their safety, consider switching to phone calls or other face-to-face alternatives. You might also consider reducing employee travel or attendance of large meetings. 4. Look into business interruption insurance Ask your insurance provider about insurance to cover unexpected major events such as COVID-19. 5. Don’t panic. In the midst of the pandemic, it’s easy to get frightened. Stay up to date with the latest information from the most reliable sources to guide you. For more information, download the link below for guidance on preparing workplaces for CPVID-19. Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)



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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.

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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 9.16.2021 10:40 am EDT