Recent Legislation
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – The $2 trillion stimulus bill will include a $367 billion program aimed at helping small businesses continue to make payroll.
» What’s Inside The Senate’s $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Package
In addition to CARES, the Federal Reserve has taken steps to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. These include cutting the Federal Fund rate to 0%, implementing a Security Purchase Program (inclusive of CMBS), backstopping, money market mutual funds, lending directly to security firms, banks and corporations, relaxing regulatory requirements and restarting the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF).
» Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Financial Resources
SBA Disaster Loan provides s1nall bu sinesses with working capital up to $2M to help relieve te1nporary loss and can be used for bills such as payroll, accounts payable, debt, etc.
SBA $10,000 Emergency grant is for SBA Disaster Loan applicants regardless of acceptance status. The grant can be used to provide employee sick leave, maintain payroll, or meet other needs like paying rent.
SBA Bridge Loan will allow small businesses who currently have a relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 while they wait for a decision and disbursement of SSA’s Disaster Loan.
SBA Paycheck protection loans will guarantee loans with terms up to 10 years and interest rates up to 4% to businesses with less than 500 employees. Eligible businesses can get loan deferral for six to twelve months, and the loan may be forgiven if the business maintains employee payroll for eight weeks at normal salary levels.
The Main Street Emergency Grant Program would allow small businesses to apply and receive grants quickly through the Treasury Department.
In addition to the SBA, many states and municipalities are offering various forms of disaster relief programs for small businesses.
Some businesses are appealing to crowds of loyal customers, donors, and communities that can contribute to their business via crowdfunding platforms. GoFundMe, Wefunder, Honeycomb Credit, and Mainvest are all crowdfunding platforms with COVID-19 response funds including small business loans.
Private sector groups such as Intuit/QuickBooks, Square, Kabbagc, Kiva, Facebook, and others are offering small business relief funds in the form of grants and low-interest loans. Opportunity Fund, a nonprofit s1nall business lender, has also created a relief fund that will provide grants and low-interest loans to business owners.
Restaurant/Retail Specific Financial
Toast Capital Financing is offering eligible restaurants access to capital without a credit score.
Bacardi has pledged $3 million in relief to bars and restaurants affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns as part of its #RaiseYourSpirits campaign.
James Beard Foundation started a Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to provide microgrants to independent food and beverage small businesses in need.
The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation formed a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for small businesses and their restaurant workers.
» Restaurant Workers Community Foundation
USBC Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is offering assistance for bartenders affected by COVID-19.
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund provides relief to service workers affected by the pandemic, including restaurant, salon, airport, rideshare, and gig economy workers.
Spill the Dish is a database of financial aid options for restaurant owners and workers.
Seated launched a hotline for restaurant owners to get advice from finance and law experts in the hospitality industry.
Maintaining Operations
Seated launched a hotline for restaurant owners to get advice from finance and law experts in the hospitality industry.
Communication – Microsoft is providing six months Office 365 tools for free to enable remote collaboration, file sharing, and video conferencing. Similarly, Google has rolled out free access to Google Hangouts, Google’s video conferencing service and Cisco is offering unli1nited access to Webex and video conference calls.
Productivity – Linkedln is opening up 16 of its learning courses for free. These courses provide tips on how to stay productive, build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, use virtual meeting tools and balance family and work dynamics in a healthy way.
Security – While away from your business, security startup Kangaroo is offering free security cameras and monitoring kits.
Security – While away from your business, security startup Kangaroo is offering free security cameras and monitoring kits.
RESTAURANT/RETAIL SPECIFIC OPERATIONS
Security – While away from your business, security startup Kangaroo is offering free security cameras and monitoring kits.
Marketing and Advertising – Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman announced the company is providing $25 1nillion in coronavirus relief for independent restaurant and nightlife businesses in the form of waived advertising fees, and free advertising, products, and services. Facebook is also offering small business grants in the form of ad credits.
Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, and Dining bonds by SupportRestaurants.org are excellent ways to support local businesses during closures. Square, Fattmerchant/Gift Up, and Kabbage all allow users to create digital gift cards.
SWIPEBY is offering curbside pickup/delivery for restaurants and small businesses, while food delivery services such as Crubhub and UberEats have suspended delivery fees.
Go Virtual – Many businesses are offering live-stream classes and sessions at discounted rates. Consider ways to bring your business experience into the home using video conferencing tools.