Staff Report

As concerns continue about COVID-19, the Small Business Development Center can help you navigate available resources, answer business questions and be a trusted partner for small business.

“Despite the impact of COVID-19, rest assured the SBDC is here to help and we value the privilege to be of service,” according to their press release.

Small business owners can sign up at no cost to help answer questions, apply for business resources and plan during a disruption. The SBDC can help with applying for relief, guiding through available resources, cash flow concerns, supply chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage and more – at no cost.

Contact your nearest SBDC to schedule a virtual consultation by calling: 1-866-588-SBDC.

Small business owners can also register for COVID-19 Webinars – free, live presentations plus Q&A for small business owners regarding potential impacts of COVID-19 and what actions business owners should take now. Topics to be covered include:

Public messaging for your employees and clients
What you can expect over the next few months
How to craft an action plan for your business for COVID-19
Where to find accurate and up-to-date information and resources
Q&A

There will be a webinar at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 on Business Interruption: Actionable Steps for Small Business Owners; presented by SBDC Advisor and small business expert Karie Armstrong.

Then on Preparing for COVID-19: What Small Business Owners Should Do at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, led by emergency management experts Michelle Constant and Ashley Slight.

Below find links to Federal and State Resources for Small Businesses.

Federal Support:

Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide up to $2M in Disaster Assistance Loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. More
SBA Guidance for employers to plan and respond to COVID-19 – click here.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus. More
Department of Labor – OSHA- Check out this guide – Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. Download.

State Support:

Employment Development Department (EDD) – Reduced Work Hours – Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program – alternative to layoffs. Employer Info and Information for Workers.
EDD Tax Assistance – request a 60 day extension to file payroll and more. Call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center 1-888-745-3886 (toll-free).
CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)- Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP), Jump Start Loan Program and more.
Department of Industrial Relations- Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus. Be sure to scroll down to review the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) and required protection.