COVID-19 Guidance and Market Info for Employers and Business Owners
These are helpful resource links from Midtown Alliance members, professional legal and financial services firms and others in the community that have reached out to us. Got info or other suggestions that we should post here to help other businesses? E-mail us at Info@MidtownATL.com.
Updated 4/26/20
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute published this overview on the CARES Act and recovery rebates for individuals and families, with additional info for businesses.
For Small Businesses and Nonprofits
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This small business guide and checklist from the US Chamber of Commerce answers some common questions about the The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn.
The state’s regional office in the U.S. Small Business Association provides resources for economic support that include SBA Express Bridge Loans, Paycheck Protection considerations for other new temporary programs available through the CARES Act.
Comparison Chart for Small Business Administration (“SBA”) COVID-19 Loan Programs - Smith Gambrell & Russell created this chart to compare the key features of the The Paycheck Protection Program Loan (“PPPL”) and The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”).
The Paycheck Protection Program Loan (“PPPL”) is a low-interest loan for defined small businesses to pay defined payroll costs for an eight-week time period immediately after the PPPL is originated, which can be forgiven under specified conditions. Please see our alert for more detail regarding the PPPL.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) is a low-interest loan for working capital to defined small businesses suffering substantial economic injury due to COVID-19. Eligible borrowers can request a $10,000 advance, which is payable three days after application and which does not have to be repaid if the EIDL is denied.
A business may apply for more than one loan program, but it may not use loan proceeds or the advance for the same purpose during the same time period.
The Small Business Administration has set up an eligibility verification portal online for qualified business entities to apply for loans under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to the qualified entities listed in this application that are impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship published this set of Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for small businesses seeking relief. The program is intended to help small businesses retain employees and will be administered primarily through existing Small Business Administration-approved lenders.
The Federal Reserve is establishing the Main Street Lending Program to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the status of the program and who is eligible here.
Smith & Howard, a CPA and adviser firm with offices in Midtown, published this guidance specifically for nonprofit organizations about the $2T CARES Act.
Other Resources and Grant Opportunities for Businesses
GROUNDFLOOR has launched a stimulus program for real estate investors during COVID-19 that is designed to ensure capital for residential real estate development keeps flowing. The program allows investors to earn a bonus of 4% interest for 90 days in certain investment made retroactively since Feb. 26. To see details and sign up, visit the company’s website.
Midtown-based micro-lender Kabbage created an online platform to help small businesses create and sell gift certificates online. Learn more.
Facebook has created a Small Business Grants Program that will provide $100M in cash grants and ad credits to eligible businesses in 30 countries. Applications are now open for Atlanta businesses. Details here.
On Tuesday, April 28 at 2PM American Express is hosting a webinar on COVID-19 and the global economy featuring insight from The Economist. The event will examine business challenges and key learnings from around the globe, including: gauging the effect of COVID-19 on the global economy, supply chain implications, and how countries are beginning to stabilize. Details here.
HR, Legal and other Miscellaneous Resources
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. This guidance from the US Dept. of Labor walks through the requirements.
Fisher Phillips, a workplace law firm with offices in Midtown, created this online resource center for businesses that includes FAQs, legal advisories, templates and forms to help deal with the implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Georgia Restaurant Association published these guidelines for restuarants to use when formulating their plans for reopening.
The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau has a list of ways to help or get help as a result of the coronavirus crisis in Atlanta. Here are resources for the hospitality community and beyond.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued guidance for retailers and consumers amid COVID-19 on April 5 that included tips about ATMs and contactless payment. These best practices for payment during shelter-in-place can be found here.
Capital Analytics, publisher of the "Focus" annual market summary for Atlanta and other cities, has opened its library of publications and is waiving content fees for everyone for a limited time. Learn more here.
District 2 Councilmember Amir Farokhi led a virtual town hall for small businesses on March 24. Read a recap of what was discussed.
For Individuals
Individuals that need info on unemployment benefits can file and check claim status on the Georgia Dept. of Labor website.
The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) was created to help restaurant employee employees experiencing hardship from the outbreak. Grants will be made to restaurant Employee Relief Fund who have seen a decrease in wages or loss of employment. The Georgia Restaurant Association also lists other relief programs on its website .
Forbes created this online calculator to help you determine how much money you are likely to receive via the CARES Act recovery rebate.
The Internal Revenue Service has posted this advisory with the latest info on what individuals need to know regarding the distribution of economic impact payments.
ChooseATL has a list of businesses hiring across various industries and other information on COVID-19 assistance for individuals here.