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COVID-19 Small Business Relief: A State-by-State Breakdown

By April 21, 2020Blog, COVID-19 Resources
covid-19 small business relief: a state by state breakdown

For small business owners, dealing with the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak is challenging enough. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing climate of relief options available to US businesses.

Small businesses in all 50 states have the ability to seek assistance from nationwide organizations and programs as outlined in our COVID-19 Resource Guide.

In addition, many states are creating COVID-19 relief programs solely for their residents. As a small business owner during this difficult time, it’s important to be aware of and make use of all available options for funding.

To make navigating state-focused relief options and funding programs easier, we’ve put together the comprehensive guide below. Simply scroll down to find your state and the resources your business may be able to take advantage of.*

Alabama

  • To lend a helping hand to small retail and hospitality businesses, Alabama’s Department of Revenue is waiving late fees for sales tax through June 1, 2020.
  • West Alabama: The Small Business Relief Fund was created by the Community Foundation of West Alabama, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, to help businesses in West Alabama counties.

Alaska

Arizona

  • Arizona’s Regional Bank is offering a 5 year credit line, up to $200k, with the first 90 days interest free to businesses who have experienced a 10% drop in revenue.
  • Arizona is one of multiple states that offer a Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program, another option for employers who are dealing with a reduction in force. It gives an option for employers to divide available work or hours of work among a specific group(s) of employees, in hopes of reducing layoffs. These employees are able to receive a part of unemployment benefits while working fewer hours.

Arkansas

  • Arkansas is one of the states to offer the Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program, another option for employers who are dealing with a reduction in force. It gives an option for employers to divide available work or hours of work among a specific group(s) of employees, in hopes of reducing layoffs, these employees are able to receive a part of unemployment benefits while working fewer hours.
  • Arkansas’s Quick Action Loan Program is also providing loans up to $250,000, focusing on servicing companies that are in the supply chain of essential goods and services (such as logistics, food manufacturing, and healthcare).
  • Arkansas’s governor has also announced Bridge Loans for midsize companies and nonprofits in the state, supporting their continued operation.

California

There are quite a few programs available for businesses in California, and programs specific to cities within the state.

Colorado

  • Colorado’s Work-Share Program provides an alternative to laying off employees by allowing them to keep working, but with fewer hours. The employees will then be able to collect part of his or her unemployment benefits.
  • Denver: The City of Denver is planning to issue grants up to $7,500 to certain businesses impacted by coronavirus, in the form of the Denver Small Business Emergency Relief. Eligible applicants include businesses who have lost the ability to operate, including restaurants, retail shops, barbershops, and nail salons. Businesses can fill out an interest form to get more information. Denver also plans to provide microloans to impacted businesses in the city, ranging between $5,000 and $50,000.

Connecticut

  • The Connecticut Bridge Loans Program is making one-year bridge loans up to $75,000 with 0% interest to certain businesses with 100 or fewer employees that have been harmed by the coronavirus outbreak and can demonstrate they were profitable prior to the outbreak.

Delaware

  • Delaware announced its Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP), offering no-interest loans of up to $10,000 per hospitality business per month, for hospitality businesses that earn less than $1.5 million per year. The loans have a 10-year term and payments can be deferred for the first nine months. Local businesses can reach out to the program directly to see if they’re eligible by emailing business@delaware.gov.

Florida

  • In Florida, small businesses owners (2 – 50 employees) who have experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19 are able to seek relief from the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. These loans are meant to serve as short-term funding that can be repaid once businesses have access to alternative funding. They are interest-free for one year.
  • Employers are also encouraged to retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing via the Short Time Compensation Program. 

Georgia

Hawaii

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has created a dedicated resource center page with COVID-19 related content for business owners.

Idaho

Idaho’s SBDC has posted information on disaster recovery, as well as a resources page on COVID-19 for small businesses.

Illinois

  • The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)  will be waiving any penalty and interest that would have been imposed on late sales tax payments from businesses who operate eating and drinking establishments.
  • Chicago: he Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund is offering low-interest loans up to $50,000 and repayment terms of up to five years to businesses who have less than $3 million in revenue, fewer than 50 employees, no current tax liens or legal judgements, and have seen a 25% or greater drop in revenue due to the coronavirus outbreak. The University of Chicago has launched its own South Side Small Business Support program, to provide short-term bridge funds up to $7,500 for businesses in certain neighborhoods.

Indiana

Small businesses in Indiana can refer to the Indiana Small Business Development Center for a wealth of resources and COVID-19 related information relevant to small businesses.

Iowa

Iowa’s Department of Revenue extended the filing and payment deadline until July 31, 2020 for income, franchise, and moneys and credit taxes.

Kansas

Through its Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund, Kansas is offering up to $20,000 in short-term zero-interest loans to impacted hospitality businesses with less than 100 employees. They are promising a quick turnaround on the loan decision, within 72 hours, after applications are received, and a quick payment of within 48 hours of approval.

Kentucky

Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development Team Kentuckysite has business-related COVID-19 guidance, resources, and FAQs for small business owners.

Louisiana

For those small businesses struggling in New Orleans, the New Orleans Business Alliance Gig Economy Fund is providing from $500 to $1000 to musicians, drivers, and other gig workers affected by COVID-19. Applicants must be a parish resident.

Maine

In Maine, the SBA and Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) have partnered to allow local Maine lenders to extend limited-time loans up to $50,000 and up to 75% pro-rata loan insurance on loans up to $100,000 for Maine businesses who are experiencing interruption or hardship due to COVID-19.

Maryland

Massachusetts

  • Small businesses in Massachusetts can benefit from the state’s 2020 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund. This fund is providing emergency capital of up to $75,000 for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees. Payments are deferred for the first six months.
  • In an effort to reduce the number of employees being laid off, Massachusetts’ WorkShare program allows regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes due in March, April, and May to be now due on June 20 with no penalties or interest.

Michigan

Through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, the state is offering relief for small businesses affected by Coronavirus. It will provide up to $20 million of relief in the form of grants up to $10,000 and loans ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 at low interest rates of 0.25%. Companies with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for grants, while those with 100 or fewer employees are eligible for loans. In both scenarios, the businesses must show income loss in order to qualify.

Minnesota

  • The Otto Bremer Trust Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund was set up to help nonprofits and community organizations in a few states, including Minnesota. Ths $50 million fund will provide relief, such as short-term loans, lines of credit, and emergency grants.
  • Minnesota’s governor also issued an executive order that helps employers of unemployment benefit charges associated with the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, they will not see any increases in their UI tax rate if their workers are collecting unemployment benefits.
  • All bars, restaurants, or hospitality businesses in Minnesota who have been forced to close given the coronavirus outbreak are given a 30-day grace period to pay sales and use tax, and they will not have any penalties.

Mississippi

Small businesses in Mississippi can look to the Department of Employment Security for information on unemployment benefits.

Missouri

Small businesses in Missouri can look to the NFIB in Missouri for resources and tips on navigating the implications of the pandemic.

Montana

The Otto Bremer Trust Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund was set up to help nonprofits and community organizations in a few states, including Montana. This $50 million fund will provide relief, such as short-term loans, lines of credit, and emergency grants to qualified businesses.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s Governor issued an executive order to provide relief to restaurants and bars during the COVID-19 emergency, allowing them to sell alcohol with delivery and take-out orders. Additionally, excise tax penalties will be waived and some restaurants will get temporary operating permits.

Nevada

Small businesses based in Nevada can find more information about relief available on the state’s .

New Hampshire

The governor of New Hampshire is helping small businesses with the Emergency Healthcare System Fund, a $50 million fund that will be distributed through grants or loans for hospitals and other healthcare providers.

New Jersey

New Mexico

  • Through the NMEDD Guarantee Program, the New Mexico Economic Development Department is guaranteeing a portion of a loan or line of credit up to 80% of principal or $50,000 for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
  • The state also offers LEDA 0% Interest Loans available for certain use cases, such as land, building and infrastructure, as well as lease abatement or mortgage assistance.

New York

  • Pace University has put together a list of crowdfunding platforms New York-based small businesses can use to generate funding for Coronavirus-related expenses.
  • New York City: The NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Fund is a program that was established for businesses with 100 or fewer employees, who have seen a sales decrease of 25% or more. The program is providing zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help retain employees and ensure business continuity. The NYC Employee Retention Grant Program is helping to alleviate payroll costs for small businesses based in New York City. The program is aimed at businesses with fewer than 5 employees and provides a grant that covers 40% of payroll costs for two months. Companies applying must show they have lost 25% of revenue due to the coronavirus outbreak.

North Carolina

North Carolina is helping its small business owners by extending the tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020 with no penalties. Additionally, employers will not be charged for individuals who are paid unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus outbreak.

North Dakota

  • The Otto Bremer Trust Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund was set up to help nonprofits and community organizations in a few states, including North Dakota. Ths $50 million fund will provide relief such as short-term loans, lines of credit, and emergency grants.
  • The North Dakota Development Fund has suspended all payments on interest and principal for its loan programs for 30 days.

Ohio

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma NFIB has resources available for small business owners looking for funding, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is helping small businesses fill out loan application forms.

Oregon

  • Beaverton: Businesses with fewer than 40 employees that were ordered to close as a result of coronavirus guidelines are able to apply for $2,500 per month in rent or mortgage reimbursement during the state of emergency.
  • Portland: Small businesses in the Jade District and Old Town Chinatown neighborhoods are able to apply for emergency funding of up to $190,000 with priority given to Asian-and Pacific Islander owned businesses. This is an effort to curb the loss of business due to fear and xenophobia since mid January. The Portland Small Business Relief Fund will also provide grants and zero-interest loans to Portland small businesses experiencing COVID-19 related hardships.

Pennsylvania

Businesses in Pennsylvania can apply for the state’s . In order to do so, they must certify that the plan is in lieu of layoffs that would involve at least 10% of the employees in a business.

Rhode Island

Residents of Rhode Island can look to the state’s Commerce Department website for answers to common questions business owners may have about the coronavirus outbreak and its implications.

South Carolina

Business owners can take advantage of the extended due date for tax returns and tax payments in South Carolina (June 1, 2020).

South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation page contains helpful information and resources for small business owners.

Tennessee

Tennessee business owners can stay up-to-date on news and business resources by visiting the website of the Department of Economic & Community Development.

Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission has resources for employers regarding the Coronavirus outbreak.

Utah

  • The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is offering bridge loans to Utah businesses with 50 or fewer employees that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loan amounts range from $5,000 – $20,000 with 0% interest for up to a 60-month period. Approval takes about a week.
  • Businesses can utilize Rapid Response Services to help minimize the impact of disruption caused by laying off staff due to COVID-19.

Vermont

Small business owners in Vermont can benefit from the corporate income tax deadline extension that has been moved to July 15, 2020.

Virginia

Washington

  • The governor created the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to provide a limited number of grants up to $10,000. Qualified businesses can have no more than 10 employees.
  • The Washington Department of Commerce is working with community-based organizations to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate help to business owners through the Small Business Resiliency Assistance program.
  • Seattle: To help Seattle’s most vulnerable businesses, the City of Seattle has committed around $2.5 million in Federal Community Development Block Grants to the Small Business Stabilization Fund. This fund will provide working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. The specific criteria for businesses to be eligible can be found here.

West Virginia

The State of West Virginia put together a Coronavirus Guide as a resource for employers.

Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin launched the Small Business 20/20 Program to provide grant funds to approved community development financial institutions (CDFIs). These institutions will award grants of up to $20,000 to their existing loan clients to assist with cash-flow challenges resulting from COVID-19.
  • The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC) has an Emergency Loan Fund that will provide loans between $5,000 and $10,000, with an interest-only option for the first three months. Businesses can use these loans for working capital to cover things like rent, payroll, and other fixed expenses.

Wyoming

Small business owners in Wyoming can search Wyoming’s SBDC for coronavirus outbreak related resources and help.

A Guide for Businesses:
 Obtaining Financial Relief During the COVID-19 Crisis

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*Please note this information is for informational purposes only and is current as of April 7, 2020 based on our understanding of these programs. It can and likely will change — therefore please visit the source directly for the most updated and accurate information. Before making any financial decisions, please consult your lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor.

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