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CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES

03-Mar 18, 2020

LOCAL RESOURCES

Burrell Behavioral Health is offering free services and resources available for COVID-19 worry, anxiety and stress. Visit https://www.burrellcenter.com/ccp/

To view the current Public Health Orders issued by the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, visit https://www.como.gov/coronavirus/official-documents/

The City of Columbia official coronavirus/COVID 19 page can be found at https://www.como.gov/coronavirus/

The Boone County MO COVID-19 Information Hub can be found at https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=478880b83d5e4d35b646d80fe6f2c2f6

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) announces an additional extension of Public Health Orders, issued by Director Stephanie Browning. These protocols extended through Orders 2020-17 and 2020-17(c) are identical to the six previous orders, and are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2021, unless otherwise extended, rescinded, or modified. The mask requirement for both the City and County is extended through Jan. 19 with these Orders. Click here to read more and view the orders.

Boone County has contracted with City of Columbia on CARES Act small business funding administration, announcing an award of $495,000 in funding to provide financial support to locally-owned small businesses in Boone County. Funding for the countywide program represents an agreement between the city and county to assist locally-owned small businesses struggling with interruptions in operations due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Administration of the funding will be through the City of Columbia Housing Programs Division. Grants of up to $10,000 per business will be available for businesses with 49 or fewer employees.  Businesses must be locally owned with at least 51% of ownership residing in Boone County.  The application portal is anticipated to be open only two days, December 3-4, 2020. Interested businesses can register a username and password in the portal. An informational session will be held December 1, 2020, at 8:00pm via Zoom. Please register for the informational session. For more information, please contact Randy Cole at 573.874.6321 or Randall.Cole@CoMo.gov.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning has issued Public Health Orders 2020-15 and 2020-15(c). These orders are an extension of the previous orders and are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on December 8, 2020, unless otherwise extended, rescinded or modified. All restrictions remain in effect. There are no modifications from the previous orders. Learn more about Public Health Orders.

The City of Columbia Housing Programs Division has announced the availability of grant funding for locally owned small businesses with 6 to 49 employees. The Small Business Recovery Loan Program application portal will be open and available to applicants on October 29, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..  Eligible businesses may receive a $15,000 forgivable loan to cover business interruption, adaptation and resiliency expenses in response to the impact of COVID-19. View the list of program guidelines and required application materials.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Director Stephanie Browning has issued Public Health Orders 2020-13 and 2020-13(c). These orders are an additional extension of the previous orders, 2020-11/2020-11(c) and 2020-12/2020-12(c), and are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 3, unless otherwise extended, rescinded or modified. All restrictions remain in effect. There are no modifications from the previous orders. Learn more about the modifications and previous orders.

Assistance with utilities is available. View the list of resources.

The Boone County CARES Act Funding Opportunity website is now available. The site offers information about the CARES Act, links to resources, instructions on how to apply for CARES Act funding, a contact form to request more information, and access to apply for CARES Act funding. The County of Boone has implemented a portal-based application system to streamline applications. The portal is now live and the Boone County Commission is accepting applications for CARES Act funding distributions starting  Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The online portal will allow the Commission to review all applications for funding and allocate the money so as to meet the greatest needs in a manner that is both transparent and accountable.

The City of Columbia Housing Programs Division is offering grant funding for locally owned small businesses with 5 or fewer employees.  The Microenterprise Recovery Loan Program application portal will be open and available to applicants on September 15, 2020 from 8am to 5pm.  Eligible businesses may receive a $5,000 forgivable loan to cover business interruption, adaptation and resiliency expenses in response to the impact of COVID-19. A list of program guidelines and required application materials can be found on the City's website. An employee income certification form included as a requirement within the application can also be downloaded and completed prior to the opening of the application portal. Visit the portal today.

The Missouri Women's Business Center will present a Small Business Grant Application Bootcamp September 1, 6 - 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. The bootcamp will help you get your paperwork ready to apply for COVID-19 relief grants and other funding opportunities. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/2QrPDpy.

Sean Boshard, SBA Outreach and Marketing Specialist located at REDI, and Tom Daiber, Lead Lender Relations Specialist for the SBA St. Louis district will be conducting two webinars on Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness, September 4 and September 16, 2020, both at 9 a.m. The webinars will be via Microsoft Teams, which has a 250 participant limit. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit https://pppforgivenessoverview.eventbrite.com  (September 4 session) and/or https://pppforgivenessoverview2.eventbrite.com  (September 16 session)

The City of Columbia and Boone County have issued orders extending Reopening Plan - Phase 2, Step 3, effective August 28, 2020.  Click here for more information.

The City of Columbia will be investing $575,000 in local small businesses and is prioritizing outreach to local minority and women owned businesses. The City is awaiting the release of funds at the federal level and anticipates opening the application process in mid-August.  Please join us the evening of August 6th from 7:30-8:30pm to learn how to navigate the application process and how to find additional assistance. The meeting will be hosted Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86436300145. Please visit https://www.columbiaredi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/application_informational_meeting_8-6-20_3.pdf for information about the meeting and what materials are required to apply.

Due to the continued and increasing spread of COVID-19, the City of Columbia has adopted an ordinance requiring face masks to be worn when people are in contact with others who are not household members and social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. Read the ordinance and an FAQ on the ordinance at the following links: City of Columbia Face Mask OrdinanceMask Ordinance FAQ

Boone County residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now access mental health supports through the University of Missouri Psychological Services Clinic. Adults can receive up to five teletherapy sessions at no cost thanks to funding provided through the Boone County Community Health/Medical Fund. To get connected with services or to learn more, contact the MU Psychological Services Clinic at 573-882-4677, email adpsc@umsystem.edu, or visit https://psychology.missouri.edu/psychological-services-clinic

The University has published The Show Me Renewal plan, outlining the changes to expect for the fall semester, and the impact those changes will have on many aspects of campus life. The plan is a living document, as flexibility and an ability to pivot are essential in this evolving global pandemic. Learn more and read the plan at https://renewal.missouri.edu/

The City of Columbia and Boone County have issued orders for Reopening Plan - Phase 2, Step 3, effective June 23, 2020. This order has been extended until August 10.  Click here for more information.

The City of Columbia and Boone County have issued orders for Reopening Plan - Phase 2, Step 2, effective May 26, 2020.

The City of Columbia and Boone County have issued orders for Reopening Plan - Phase 2, Step 1, effective May 4, 2020.

The City of Columbia offers current COVID-19/coronavirus information and resource links. The City of Columbia Contact Center is available at 573-874-2489.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce offers updates and business resources.

The Missouri Women's Business Center offers help and resources at https://mowbc.org/covid-19-resources/

The City of Columbia Housing Programs Division's Microenterprise Recovery Loan Program is no longer accepting applications at this time. This program provided fully forgivable loan for qualified local microenterprises with 5 or fewer employees.  Applications opened Wednesday, April 15th. For more information, visit https://www.como.gov/community-development/neighborhoods/housingprogramsdivision/microenterprise-recovery-loan-program/

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau offers information on local resources as well as information for visitors and Columbia's tourism partners.

The District provides a list of businesses open, closed and/or offering curbside pickup.

The Loop provides a list of Loop business who are providing food delivery, curbside pickup, phone consultations and online shopping. Additional information is available at the Loop website.

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Verizon has provided several rounds of grants to WMBE businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities. Please list Rural LISC and CMCA as the referral entity (these are our local entities). You can register to be alerted to future rounds of funding.

CoMoHelps (https://comohelps.org/ ) is a joint effort of Heart of Missouri United Way, City of Columbia, Boone County, and Community Foundation of Central Missouri to coordinate monetary donations and volunteers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Great Circle is here for our community.  If you know of anyone who may be struggling with the uncertainty of this time, please share our GCHelps line at 1-844-424-3577.  Callers will be triaged and immediately connected to an appropriate Great Circle clinician. This service is available to anyone of any age as part of our Community Counseling program.

MISSOURI RESOURCES

The Missouri Development Finance Board has announced the new Small Communities Operating Capital Loan Relief Program for Missouri incorporated municipalities under 25,000 in population. This program will allow $5 million to be dispersed to communities dealing with the challenges associated with COVID-19. The loans are being offered to assist cities in the maintenance of existing governmental services by  replacing tax, fees, or other governmental revenues that have been lost due to COVID-19. Loan amounts range from $50,000 to $300,000 with a 0% interest rate in the first year. Applications are due by December 31, 2020.  For more information visit https://www.mdfb.org/Programs/small-community.html.

The Department of Economic Development announced the opening of a second application cycle for the Governor’s Emergency Broadband Investment Program which will provide $2 million in funding to broadband providers. The application cycle opened today, Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and will close at noon on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Applications will be reviewed upon submission until funds are exhausted. Grant funds may be used to pay for costs associated with deployment of broadband to unserved and underserved areas of the state. For more information, visit: https://ded.mo.gov/content/emergency-broadband-investment-program.

The Show Me Strong Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Retooling Program provides grant funding to manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to reimburse certain costs for retooling existing facilities by purchasing necessary equipment and services to manufacture critically needed PPE for use in Missouri. This grant funding will assist entities with creating new business while contributing to the fight against the current COVID-19 public health emergency. Learn more at https://ded.mo.gov/content/show-me-strong-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-retooling-program

The Small Business Grant Program is to provide grants to small businesses and family-owned farms for reimbursement of costs of business interruption caused by required closures in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Department is focused on impacting the hardest hit industries, which include retail trade, accommodation and food service and health care, in addition to family-owned farms. However, the grant is not limited to these industries.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce offers resources, and offers its Uniting for Recovery Return to Work Guide.

MOSourceLink offers a list of business resources, and information specifically for small business financing during COVID-19. MOSourceLink offers Resource Network Zoom meetings every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Meeting ID: 754 940 742

The Missouri Small Business Development Center offers resources.

Missouri State offers resources for businesses.

The State of Missouri is seeking manufacturers that would like to make personal protective equipment (PPE), or have available PPE to sell.

The State of Missouri offers a resource for individuals that may have lost a job, or looking for new employment. Employers that need to fill positions with qualified workers can also use this site to connect with job seekers. All services are available to job seekers and employers at no cost. The best way to access these Missouri Job Center services during this time is online.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s One Start Team hiring portal is for people looking for jobs. To include your business's job postings on this list, email to shelle.jacobs@ded.mo.gov your company name; location of position; company contact with email address; if individual should apply directly to company website to apply (if yes, provide link if possible); if resume needs to be sent and if email of company contact to send it to; position(s) for which the company is hiring (manufacturing, call center, etc); shifts for which are being hired; full-time, part-time or both.

MOSourceLink offers a list of business resources, and a page specifically for small business financing during COVID-19.

Missouri Enterprises offers COVID-19 Information for Manufacturers.

The Missouri School Boards Association has published recommendations for re-opening schools, Pandemic Recovery Considerations.

U.S. RESOURCES

Information about the SBA Paycheck Protection Program can be found at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

SBA Disaster Loan process information is available now. Small businesses can apply now to get a $10,000 cash advance if they qualify for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). If they do qualify for the EIDL, but then also qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), they then can apply for it and roll the EIDL into the PPP loan. Businesses can have multiple SBA loans without penalty.  The U.S. Small Business Administration is has made available Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA  makes loans available statewide in Missouri to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants can apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications. Learn more about the SBA Disaster Loan. The Women's Business Center (573-818-2980) and the Small Business Development Center (christianma@missouri.edu) can help with these applications.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Save Small Business Initiative to address the immediate needs of the small business community, mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilize support for long-term recovery in the wake of the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Chamber Foundation is supporting the supplemental financial assistance by launching their Save Small Business Fund. Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the U.S. Chamber Foundation will be providing $5,000 supplemental grants to small employers in economically vulnerable communities. Applications for the Save Small Business Grant Fund will open Monday, April 20 at 3 p.m. ET. There are several eligibility requirements. You can review information on the Save Small Business Grant Fund including qualifications, the application process and FAQs.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship offers information and links to resources at https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act.  U.S. Senator Roy Blunt offers coronavirus crisis resources at https://www.blunt.senate.gov/coronavirus. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley offers coronavirus crisis resources at https://www.hawley.senate.gov/coronavirus

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) offers an explanation of the Expanded Medical Leave program that was part of the Families First Coronavirus Bill at https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/coronavirus/coronavirus-paid-sick-leave-and-expanded-family-leave-law-effective-april-1-2020/

Visit the CDC website.

Call the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services 24-hour hotline at 877-435-8411, if you are in need of immediate help.

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