Resources for small and large businesses operating in Green.

Governor’s Stay at Home Order

Pandemic Childcare Centers
jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/docs/Pandemic-Provider-Approved-List

Preparation:

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
• Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations (CDC)
• Summit County Public Health Recommendations for Businesses (SCPH)

Federal Programs for Businesses:

• Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
  • The SBA Small Business Disaster Loan Program makes low interest loans available for working capital, up to $2 million. Additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at SBA.gov/Disaster.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program / SBA 7(a) Loan Program was created by the passing of the CARES Act. The program makes funds available through approved banks, credit unions and nonbank lenders. More information about this program can be found at gaccovid19.org/resources-for-businesses
  • Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply.

    Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. We encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.

    • 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
  • SBA Program Information:
    • Guide to CARES Act (PDF)
    • U.S. Chambers Small Business Guide (PDF)
    • Paycheck Protection Program Quick Guide (PDF)
    • SBA COVID Webinar (PDF)
    • SBA COVID Webinar Material (PDF)
    • SBA Disaster Assistance Handout (PDF)
    • Ohio Farm Bureau PPP Information
• NEW - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  This law requires all public employers and private employers with less than 500 employees to provide emergency paid sick leave in certain circumstances and extended paid caregiver leave to employees who are absent from work for reasons related to the coronavirus. Find more information here.
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (PDF)
• IRS Extension to Filing Taxes
  The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service, the state of Ohio, and the City of Green have extended the deadline to file 2019 income tax returns and pay any applicable federal taxes from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
• The CARES Act
  Passed by both the Senate and House this week, Phase III of the ‘‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’’ or the ‘‘CARES Act,’’ offers $2 trillion in economic relief to individuals and businesses affected by the Coronavirus epidemic. BMD has identified the most significant areas of the bill that could impact or benefit your business. Click here for an overview.
  • Guide to CARES Act (PDF)

State Programs for Businesses:

• Liquor buyback
  The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This is intended to aid those establishments that have stocked up on high proof liquor, but now are facing closure to in-house patrons. Bars and restaurants can return unopened, high proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. Questions about this program should be directed to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center at 1-877-812-0013 or OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.
   
• The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) 
  The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is modifying the process for haulers carrying heavy loads of essential goods. Generally, Ohio requires haulers with loads classified as "oversized" to seek advanced permission from ODOT before they are legally allowed to travel in the state. Haulers carrying these essential goods can download and print the permit at transportation.ohio.gov.
   
• Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)
  Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) system is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio and serves 249,000 public and private employers. To help businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio BWC is announcing insurance premium installment payments. For more information, visit bwc.ohio.gov.
   

• Grace Period for Health Insurance Premiums
  All health insurers are required to provide the option of deferring premium payments, interest free, for up to 60 calendar days from each original premium due date. This means that employers can defer their premium payments up to two months, giving them some relief on costs, while keeping their employees insured.
  Find more information here.

• Shared Work Ohio
  A voluntary layoff aversion program that allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. Employees with reduced hours may claim unemployment insurance benefits proportionate to their reduced hours through Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/

• Unemployment Insurance Charges
  The State of Ohio has modified eligibility for employees who lose their jobs as a result of a coronavirus-related shut down in order to provide benefits more efficiently to those impacted.  For employers, the State has indicated that the State is allowing allows unemployment benefit charges to be mutualized for contributory employers. In addition, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will waive penalties for late reporting and payments during Ohio’s emergency declaration period. jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI

Other Programs:

• Huntington Bank Financial Relief Measures for Customers Affected by Coronavirus
  Huntington is taking comprehensive steps to alleviate economic injury experienced by consumers and businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Customers may contact Huntington at 1-800-480-BANK (2265) to speak with a customer service representative about products or programs that are available. Relief measures include certain payment deferrals and suspension of certain late fees, repossessions, and foreclosures. huntington.com/coronavirus

Online Tools:

• Free Online Collaboration Tools
• Human Resources Management Resources

Additional Links and Information:

• Facebook Small Business Grants
• Goldman Sach’s Small Business Resources
• Worksites with Employees with Suspected or Confirmed Positive COVID-19 (SCPH)
• Economic Resources for Ohio Businesses
• File For Unemployment as a Result of COVID-19
• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
• Greater Akron Chamber COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
• Coronavirus Update for Employers (PDF)
• Federal Resources Explained (PDF)
• List of Insurance Company Programs (PDF)