In this installment of our Outlast the Outbreak blog series, we’d like to share some of the funding and resources available to brick-and-mortar businesses during these uncertain times.

All businesses that rely on walk-ins are feeling the pinch right now, but fortunately there are resources available from local, state, and federal government, as well as several nonprofits and corporations. Some of these resources are accessible to business owners and workers across the board, and some are industry-specific resources—for example, funds for food and beverage workers or film industry professionals.

We’ll continuously update this post as we learn about additional resources available to small business owners and employees.

Federal resources

• The Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) is in the process of approving $50 billion in coronavirus relief funds. Here are links to the SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance page, general loan page, and resources page.
• Here are the CDC’s guidelines for businesses and employers with tips on sustaining a healthy work environment.
• The recently-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides paid sick leave and additional unemployment aid to some workers.
• The coronavirus stimulus package includes direct payments to individuals, expanded unemployment benefits, and $367 billion in loans to small businesses. Check out this article to learn more about the parts of the bill specifically affecting the food service industry.
• Additionally, the IRS has pushed back the tax filing deadline to 7/15.

State and local government resources

California: 

• Los Angeles has created the Small Business Emergency Microloan Program to extend loans of up to $20,000 to small business enterprises.
• Sacramento has created a $1 million relief fund to provide up to $25,000 in interest-free loans to small businesses.
• San Francisco has created the COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund which allows qualifying business owners to access up to $10,000.
• A number of relief funds have also been established in communities around the Bay Area.  
• Like the IRS, the state has extended its tax filing and payment deadline to 7/15.

Colorado:

• Denver is setting up a $4 million economic relief program for impacted businesses and employees.

Florida:

• The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been created to provide up to $50,000 in interest-free loans to eligible businesses.

Georgia:

• Atlanta has established a $7 million relief fund to assist residents impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Illinois:

• Chicago has created a $100 million relief package for small businesses.

Massachusetts:

• The state has established a $10 million small business recovery loan fund to provide loans of up to $75,000.

Michigan:

• The Michigan Small Business Relief Program is providing up to $20 million in support.

New Mexico:

• The state Economic Development Department is adjusting its programs to make capital more readily available to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

New York:

• New York City is providing zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 to impacted small businesses across the five boroughs.

Oregon:

• In Portland, qualifying businesses can apply for a loan from the Jade District-Oldtown COVID-19 Small Business Response Fund.

Rhode Island:

• Microsoft is offering six months of free Microsoft Office 365 tools for in-state businesses, municipalities, and K-12 schools.

Utah:

• Salt Lake City has created the SLC Emergency Loan Program to provide no-interest loans of up to $20,000 for eligible small businesses.

Washington:

• Qualifying businesses in the Seattle area can apply for grants of up to $10,000 from the Business Stabilization Fund.

Wisconsin:

• The state has created the Small Business 20/20 program to support small businesses and micro-enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Companies and nonprofits providing resources

• The Facebook Small Business Grants Program has been established for businesses impacted by COVID-19, and the company has created a business resource hub as well.
• Amazon has set up a $5 million fund for Seattle-area businesses impacted by COVID-19.
• JPMorgan has pledged $8 million for small businesses.
• Nonprofit lending platform Kiva is extending 0% interest loans up to $15,000 to small businesses.
• Investment marketplace Mainvest is making zero-interest, $2,000 120-day loans available to affected brick & mortar businesses.
• A large number of internet providers, including AT&T, Comcast, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, have agreed to not terminate service for residential and small businesses customers who can’t pay their bills.

Industry-specific resources

• The James Beard Foundation has created a relief fund for members of the food and beverage community.
• Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation has formed a COVID-19 relief fund for restaurants and their workers.
• Yelp is providing $25 million in relief for restaurants and nightclubs in the form of free advertising, products, and services.
• Here’s an additional compilation of relief funds for food service/restaurant industry workers.
• Netflix has created a $100 million coronavirus relief fund for film industry workers, announced in a blog post by Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.
• Music industry nonprofit Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has made grants available to musicians put out of work by the pandemic.

In addition to the resources enumerated above, you can set up a personal GoFundMe page to raise money to support yourself and your employees during the outbreak.

While these are indeed trying times, there’s an ever-growing number of resources available to help soften the economic blow dealt by COVID-19. Be sure to check this page often, as we’ll be updating it as we learn about additional sources of aid. And as always, our support team is standing by to assist you in any way they can.

Support site: support.zenreach.com/

Email: support@adentrodotcom.wpcomstaging.com/

Support line: (800) 807-9434

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