Resources for small and large businesses operating in Green.

Guidance for Reopening:

• Restaurants and bars (ODH)
• Restart Playbook (University Hospitals)
• Companies Selling Disinfectants

COVID Preparation:

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
• Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations (CDC)
• Updated General Business FAQs 4/20/20 (CDC)
• Summit County Public Health Recommendations for Businesses (SCPH)
• OHSA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OHSA)

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
  • Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
    Applications are now available for loan forgiveness as part of the CARES Act. Application and instructions may be found here.
  • 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
• 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)
• The CARES Act
  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 herefor an overview.
  • Guide to CARES Act (PDF)
• Main Street Lending Program
  The Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program to enhance support for small and mid-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the crisis by offering 4-year loans to companies employing up to 10,000 workers or with revenues of less than $2.5 billion. Principal and interest payments will be deferred for one year. Eligible banks may originate new Main Street loans or use Main Street loans to increase the size of existing loans to businesses. Banks will retain a 5 percent share, selling the remaining 95 percent to the Main Street facility, which will purchase up to $600 billion of loans. Firms seeking Main Street loans must commit to make reasonable efforts to maintain payroll and retain workers. Borrowers must also follow compensation, stock repurchase, and dividend restrictions that apply to direct loan programs under the CARES Act. Firms that have taken advantage of the PPP may also take out Main Street loans.
  federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/mainstreetlending

State Programs for Businesses:

• New Ohio Development Service Agency Programs
  • Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program
  • Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Program
  • Appalachian Region Loan Program
  • Ohio Small businesses can learn more about these and other resources available through the Office of Small Business relief and Development at businesshelp.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.
   

• 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:

• Summit County Grant Program- Applications Currently CLOSED
  The Summit County COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program is a grant fund that previously distributed $1,546,000.00 and has been extended and refunded for a second round of funding not to exceed $5 million, that the County received through section 5001 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (that “CARES Act”). The program is opening applications again on May 14. Find more information here.
• US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Fund
  The US Chambers of Commerce has set up a grant program to allow businesses in qualifying areas to apply for up to $5,000. Businesses in the City of Green only qualify if they are in the 44319 or 44312 zip codes and have between 3-20 employees. Applications go live on April 20, 2020 at 3 p.m. US Chamber’s website
• 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

Additional Links and Information:

• 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)