Covid-19 Business Relief Guide

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Business Guidance and Loan Resources

In response to COVID-19, Decide DeKalb has prepared this list of resources for businesses that may be impacted. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

Tell Us About Your Experience

Decide DeKalb and our business resource partners recognize that businesses are experiencing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19. To help us determine the direct challenges affected by local businesses and the type of pathways needed to scale up small business interventions, we would like your input.

Please take a moment to complete this Business Survey. The information you provide about your business will help Decide DeKalb, city government and local officials respond to this public health emergency.

The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. It is available in both English and Spanish. Thank you in advance for your time and participation.

FEDERAL & STATE RESOURCES

Resources made available through government action. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please visit the Center for Disease Control.

Georgia Department of Economic Development

GDEcD has put together a helpful webpage with industry-specific guidance for resuming business operations and a helpful COVID-19 FAQ page and joint press release from Governor Kemp and Commissioner Butler providing additional information for filing unemployment.

SBA – CARES Act: Additional Funding Notice

SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications and processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications already in queue on a first come first serve basis. To learn more about the current relief efforts click here.

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program – GA District, Current Customers Only

The SBA Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program provides up to $25,000 for survival and/or reopening of business during or immediately following COVID-19 crisis. The Express Bridge loan program allows SBA Express lenders to provide expedited financing to small businesses located in declared disaster areas. Express Bridge loans are intended to be interim loans. Businesses use these funds for disaster-related purposes while they apply for and await long-term financing. 

IRS

The IRS is offering coronavirus tax relief and economic impact payment tax help for those affected by COVID-19.

Georgia Department of Labor

Employers are required to file partial claims on behalf of their employees whenever it is necessary to temporarily reduce work hours or there is no work available for a short period. Any employer found to be in violation of this rule will be required to reimburse GDOL for the full amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to the employee.

Georgia Secretary of State

The annual business renewal deadline has been pushed to May 1, 2020.

Georgia Department of Insurance

The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner has a new action to protect consumers and industry during COVID-19.

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus.

PRIVATE SECTOR SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Resources provided by major corporations in the private sector.

LISC & SAM’s Club

LISC and SAM’s CLUB are providing grants to small businesses, to help them through this challenging time.

Red Backpack Fund backed by SPANX Founder Sara Blakely

The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has teamed up with Global Giving to oversee the fund, making 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. Application window opens May 4.

Truist Financial through LiftFund & the Natural Capital Investment Fund

Truist Financial contributing $2 million to small businesses through CDFIs LiftFund (for GA small businesses) and the Natural Capital Investment Fund (other states) as part of the Truist Cares Initiative.

Intuit Quickbook in partnership with GoFundMe

Small Business Relief Program Initiative offers free GoFundMe pages available for businesses to crowdsource funding from their respective communities, and then Intuit will support these fundraisers, boosting contributions from your supporters.

EQUIFAX

Credit score education and support through the COVID-19 crisis for individuals (business owners) and businesses.

Kabbage

Through Kabbage Payments, any business can sign up to sell gift certificates online and access the funds the next business day.

Other Banks Offering Relief

A listing of banks offering assistance to small business during the crisis.

Other Private Loan Programs

Financial Innovation Now groups like Square (for customers only) – PayPal – Kabbage – Stripe – Intuit – among others.

BUSINESS STRATEGY RESOURCES

Resources provided by major corporations in the private sector.

Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber is maintaining a list of Service Firms offering coronavirus business strategy assistance.

DeKalb – UGA Small Business Development Center

Contact the SBDC to set-up a virtual consultation.

US Chamber of Commerce

The US Chamber of Commerce offers a Response Toolkit, National Trends, Business Advocacy Work.

FOOD INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Support for small businesses and their employees in the service industry.

Georgia Restaurant Association

State advocacy organization providing industry information to push forward initiatives to support restaurants during the pandemic.

National Restaurant Association

Industry-specific guidance for owners and operators to ensure that restaurants have the latest information about coronavirus, including information around food safety. Please be sure to check out the COVID-19 Reopening Guidance.

James Beard Foundation

James Beard Relief Fund provides critical financial assistance to small, independent restaurants due to the COVID-19.

Southern Smoke

Southern Smoke established relief funds for those within the food and beverage industry.

USBG National Charity Foundation

USBG National Charity Foundation strives to be a resource to the bar industry.

The Giving Kitchen

The Giving Kitchen is working to help restaurant workers through this tough time. Visit their website to donate to their efforts or to apply for assistance.

YELP

Yelp is offering $25 million in relief primarily to independent, local restaurant and nightlife businesses, in the form of waived advertising fees and free advertising, products, and services.

DIGITAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

Tools and tips for transitioning to remote operations and for digital technical assistance. 

GA Commute Options – Teleworking Services

Teleworking services to get your small business set-up for remote operations.

Google Help for Small Businesses

Technical assistance to update your business hours, take-out/delivery info, and other information through Google to keep your customers informed. Google is now offering Google Ad Credits for small and mid-sized businesses with active accounts.

Facebook’s Business Resource Hub

Access a business resiliency toolkit, tips for emergency response plans, and how to connect with your customers during challenging times.