COVID-19 Business Resources
Washington County Local Business Relief Grants
In early January 2021, Washington County received $5,058,997 in county relief grants for local businesses as approved by the State Legislature on Monday, December 14, 2020. The county received this allocation from the state on a per-capita basis, and is directed by law to use the funds to make grants to individual businesses and non-profits that, to the extent it is feasible for the county to determine, are located in the county; have no current tax liens on record with the Secretary of State, and are impacted by an executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Download Guidelines
- Click Here to View Application (Applications being accepted through 4:30 PM February 4, 2021)
MN DEED Relief Grants
Download COVID-19 Small Business Resources Matrix
Guidance on Reopening Businesses
Executive Order 20-48 allows workers in non-customer facing industrial and office settings to return to work. It further allows customer-facing retail businesses that sell goods to engage in curbside or outside pick-up and delivery.
All workers who can work from home must continue to do so. There are also a number of other conditions laid out in EO 20-48, including creating a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and not permitting customers to enter a business premises.
Plan in Place! Be Prepared
Plan in Place! Be prepared and start developing your required plan for what your new business model should look like as the state begins to open. From the MN Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Employee and Economic Development, here is a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan template and instructions in Word that you can download and use to begin your plan. Find it HERE. Most important, businesses are going to have to demonstrate what a safe work environment looks like for employees, and to build consumer and customer’s confidence.
Other Resources:
- MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): Guide to Safely Return to Work
- MN Chamber: Resources Also the MN Chamber has put together some best practices on reopening your business. This document was created from data from Minnesota businesses, the CDC and Osha. They are also looking at creating this by industry so we will keep you posted. See MN best practices HERE.
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
SBA Debt Relief
The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.
Under this program:
- The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
- The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.
Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program
This pilot program allows SBA Express Lenders authority to deliver expedited SBA-guaranteed financing on an emergency basis.
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
A Guide for Minnesota Small Businesses Who Need Help
Over the past few weeks, several state and federal programs have been built to assist small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to view the guide.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides robust funding streams, negotiated by House and Senate Democrats, to assist local governments and nonprofits in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to learn more.
State of MN Business Emergency Loans.
DEED will use their lender network to make loans between $2,500 and $35,000 for qualifying small businesses. The loans will be 50% forgivable, and offered at a 0% interest rate. If other financing becomes available to small businesses that received an emergency loan, such as federal funding, the emergency loan must be repaid. More information on terms, eligibility and application process here.
Small businesses in Minnesota are now eligible for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and can apply for a loan at SBA.gov/disaster.
- This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits.
- These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills.
- The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The non-profit rate is 2.75%.
- These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.
- Need help filling out the application? Access these step-by-step instructions.
Business Readiness
MN Chamber: https://www.mnchamber.com/blog/your-business-covid-19-ready
Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
Minnesota Dept. of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html
MN Department of Employment & Economic Development: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/
Open to Business: http://www.eastmetromsp.org/business/open-to-business
Business Recovery
Information and Resources for Employers: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/
US Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
Workforce
Shared Work Program:
The Shared Work program offers an alternative to layoffs for employers facing a temporary downturn in business.
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/recently-unemployed/layoff/shared-work.jsp
