Resources
- SBA Emergency Loan (2nd Round) Webinar: How to Apply and FAQs
- Unemployment Compensation for Self-Employed, Independent Contractors & Gig Workers
- SBA Disaster Assistance for COVID-19
- Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Information for Businesses
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Information for Impacted Workers
- CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- America's SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Resources
- State Assistance for COVID-19
- Information about the Cares Package (.pdf)
- Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses (.pdf)
- Tracking and Understanding Your PPP Loan (.pdf)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
- SVOG Preparation: Tips for an Effective Application (Vimeo video)
- SBDC Business Consultants are available for individual meetings by phone or real-time video conferencing on multiple platforms.
- Virtual Online Group Sessions will be offered soon where individuals can drop in and talk or ask questions to SBDC staff in a group setting.
The team will continue to work with our existing clients as well as take on new clients and referrals.
Current SBDC Clients should reach out directly to their SBDC Business Consultant.
New requests for for-profit small business assistance can reach out to us as follows:
- Request Assistance Online
- Call 570-408-4340 and leave a message. We are checking and returning messages regularly!
While we are gathering details on additional financial help for small businesses, it would be helpful if you gathered the following:
- Business financial records, tax returns, equipment/contents, employee information, etc.
- Insurance policies, inventory and asset lists, client/customer information, profit and loss statements, etc.
- Important numbers – Your accountant, insurance agent, banker, SBDC Consultant, etc.
First Draw of Paycheck Protection Program Reopens
Second Draw of Paycheck Protection Program Loans are Available
SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021. SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders.
At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate-income neighborhoods.
Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Now Available
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 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.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are Still Available
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C. and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 EIDL Advance Updates
Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.
Applicants do not need to take any action at this time. SBA will reach out to those who qualify.
Berwick Borough Offering Financial Assistance for Restaurants
The Berwick Borough Council has allocated $55,799 of Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program funding to assist restaurants that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. SEDA-Council of Governments and The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce will be evaluating the applications on Berwick Borough's behalf.
For businesses to be eligible for funding assistance through this program, the recipient business must meet all of the following criteria:
- Submit a fully completed BERWICK BOROUGH Small Business Support Grant Program application to Tyler Dombroski, SEDA-COG, by Feb. 26, 2021.
- Be a for-profit restaurant business located within the municipal limits of BERWICK BOROUGH.
- Be an incorporated business in and/or registered to conduct business within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Be negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns.
- Be able to meet one of the national objective requirements (primarily benefit to low and moderate-income persons) of the CDBG-CV program.
Grants will be evenly distributed between all successful applicants. Successful applicants will need to provide demonstrable business costs for rent/mortgage, utility, staffing salaries, inventory/supplies and/or marketing/advertising. Grants from this program cannot cover expenses already addressed through other financial assistance programs.
Questions and applications can be emailed to tdombroski@seda-cog.org.
Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development; through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration, and through support from Wilkes University. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling 570-408-4340. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government. By agreeing to receive assistance from the SBDC you are self-certifying that you are not currently federally debarred or suspended and also agree to cease using SBDC services if your become federally debarred or suspended in the future.
