COVID-19 Updates & Resources

posted on Friday, July 17, 2020 in Grow Cedar Valley

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State of Iowa

Business Guidance & Financial Assistance

Cedar Valley Resources

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Information for Employers  (Reopening, Returning to the Workplace, Health & Safety Guidelines)

Schools and Education

Other Resources

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Recent Updates

Updated 1/8/2021

• NEW - PPP to restart week of 1/11/2021

  • Next week, Treasury and SBA will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program. Key update: loan applications will only be accepted from community financial institutions for the first few days.

    • On Monday, PPP will reopen for first-time borrowers through CDFIs (community development financial institution) and small lenders, and on Wednesday, it will reopen for eligible borrowers seeking a second round of PPP through CDFIs and small lenders. Underserved businesses can utilize SBA’s Lender Match Tool to be connected with community financial institutions.

  • Here are some press releases with additional information as well as new program guidance:

    • Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act

    • Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans

    • PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns

• NEW - COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Business, Industry, and Agriculture

  • IDPH and IEDA are putting together a webinar on COVID-19 vaccines for businesses THIS FRIDAY, January 8 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. This event can be attended through the link http://covidvax.idph.live in any web browser.

    • Iowa COVID-19 Vaccine Web Page

    • Infectious Disease Advisory Council

    • Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

• Coronavirus Relief Package Includes Key Workplace Provisions (SHRM)

  • We encourage you to be proactive and communicate with your financial institution and prepare your current financials in a format similar to what was required for the first round of PPP and other forms of relief.

• Revolving Loan Fund Available to Help Businesses

  • The Iowa Northland Regional Economic Development Commission (INREDC) is administering $500,000 in CARES Revolving Loan Funds which are available to assist eligible businesses with items such as fixed asset acquisition, inventory, and working capital needs.

• COVID/Healthcare Town Hall Recording

  • Watch and hear from the local healthcare executives and they discuss the current impact of COVID-19 on our healthcare services. Black Hawk County Health Department also provided answers to several of the frequently asked questions.

• COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool

  • This map shows the risk level of attending an event, given the event size and location. The risk level is the estimated chance (0-100%) that at least 1 COVID-19 positive individual will be present at an event in a county, given the size of the event

• COVID-19 Information in multiple languages

  • Important information about COVID-19 symptoms and how to seek care or access to testing in different languages are available for download on the Black Hawk County Public Health's website.

State of Iowa

• Gov. Reynolds new proclamation information.

• Gov. Reynolds announces Coronavirus Relief Fund Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Opportunities  

• IEDA COVID-19 Mitigation Q&A for Business

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and State Extended Benefits

• Iowa Childcare Availability Map: Interactive Map of Providers and Availability

Business Guidance & Financial Assistance

Categories

• Tips
• Economic Impact Disaster Loans
• IRS Tax Relief
• Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
• CARES Act
• Iowa Economic Development Authority
• Unemployment
• Small Business Administration
• Black Hawk County Health Department
• Other Funding Sources for Businesses

Tips

• Review your supply chain and analyze the potential impact and alternatives for supplies.

• Review finances, work on contingencies of how to manage finances should a business begin to slow, talk with your banker about options that you can tap into should the need arise.

• Talk with your business insurance provider as well.

• If the business does slow, document your losses. 

Economic Impact Disaster Loans

• SBA Reopened Application form for Economic Injury Disaster Loan
  • This program provides flexible working capital loans at a rate of 3.75% (2.75% for nonprofits) with a term of up to 30 years. Applicants also are eligible for an advance amount of up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee). If you have already applied for EIDL and have not received a decision, do not reapply. The SBA is still working on processing EIDL applications it has already received.   
• IEDA Announces COVID-19 Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program (Applications close 11/20/2020)
  • Financial Assistance Now Available to Eligible Small Businesses and Non Profits for COVID-19 Utility Disruption
• SBA Makes Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Available to U.S. Agricultural Businesses
  • Starting Monday, April 4, Agricultural Businesses are now eligible for the SBA's EIDL Advance Programs

  • Agricultural businesses include businesses engaged in the legal production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). Eligible agricultural businesses must have 500 or fewer employees

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Guide to Emergency Loans for Small Businesses

• SBA Loan Deferrals: 7a Loans have a 6-month deferral. Deferrals may also be offered on 504 loans.

IRS Tax Relief

• COVID-19 Tax Relief
• Employee Retention Credit
  • U.S. Chamber - Guide to Employee Retention Tax Credit

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The FFCRA legislation took effect on April 1, 2020, and includes expansions of FMLA and Paid Sick Leave. Mandates apply to all employers with less than 500 employees (with some exemptions).

• NEW (4/9/2020) MRA Webinar on Complying with the FFCRA

  • DOL guidance for FFCRA - what you need to know

  • Small Employer Exemptions

  • Documentation for Leave

  • Calculating PT Employee Pay

  • Tax Credit Documentation

• Department of Labor

  • The Department of Labor issued the model for notice of employee FFCRA rights that must be posted in places of employment subject to FFCRA (see attached).  Due to the number of employees working remotely, the DOL will also allow employers to satisfy this requirement by emailing or posting this notice electronically.

  • Additional information from the Department of Labor on the FFCRA

• HR Dive - Small Business Exemption
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Guide for Employers: Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Summary
• MRA Resources (FAQ, Requirements, Sample Policies, Forms & Checklists)

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP/CARES): Loan through banks that are SBA lenders.  2-year term, 1% interest. A portion of this loan can be forgivable based on payroll figures. Borrowers may request PPP and EIDL, but cannot use the funds for the same purpose.
  • U.S. Treasury Information
  • Fact Sheet
  • Sample Application
  • FAQ
• Small Business Owners Guide to CARES
• MRA Resources for The Cares Act (Summary and HR-related resources)

Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)

• IEDA announces a new e-commerce platform to support Iowa’s small businesses 

  • Shop Iowa is an easy-to-use platform that gives retailers, particularly those who didn’t previously have an online presence, a place to showcase their products and businesses; and allows consumers to browse through local stores for clothing, books, games, pet supplies, and much more.

• Business Recovery Guidance

Unemployment

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and State Extended Benefits
  • PEUC is available for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after March 29, 2020, and continuing through the week ending December 26, 2020. 
• Business Guidance & Financial Assistance
  • Onboarding Existing Workforce from Layoff/Furlough – If your business has offered work to employees and your employee refuses to return to work, you must notify Iowa Workforce Development.  Complete the  “Job Offer Decline Form for Employers” 
• Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) COVID-19 Resources
  • IWD Updates Leave Policy for Employees Impacted by COVID-19 Layoffs

    • The CARES act has been signed into law.  IWD is awaiting more information from the U.S. Department of Labor. IWD is now accepting applications. Employees who are or will be laid off, or are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19, will no longer be required to use all paid leave before being eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Change is not retroactive before the week of March 29, 2020, for new or existing claims.

Small Business Administration

• SBA Updated PPP guidance
  • Updates reflect changes enacted by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. Businesses now can use PPP funds over a 24-week period, and the covered period for the loan was extended until Dec. 31, 2020.
• SBA Released EZ Forgiveness Application
  • Allowed to apply if you meet one of the following requirements:
    • You are self-employed and have no employees
    • Note: Businesses that don't meet one of these requirements will still need to complete the Full Forgiveness Application
    • You experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19 and did not reduce the salaries or wages of your employees by more than 25%.
    • You did not reduce the salaries or wages of your employees by more than 25% and did not reduce the number of hours of your employees
• SBA Reopened Application form for Economic Injury Disaster Loan
  • This program provides flexible working capital loans at a rate of 3.75% (2.75% for nonprofits) with a term of up to 30 years. Applicants also are eligible for an advance amount of up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee). If you have already applied for EIDL and have not received a decision, do not reapply. The SBA is still working on processing EIDL applications it has already received.
• COVID-19 Resource Center
• Request counseling from any center. Phone, email, and video assistance available

Black Hawk County

• Black Hawk County School Reopening Guidelines

  • This document intends to aid Black Hawk County school districts with a reopening plan to in-person education during the COVID-19 pandemic of fall 2020.

  • This document is meant to supplement guidance developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and other professional agencies.

  • The Black Hawk County Health Department recommends that school districts make every effort to implement all control measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their schools; with an understanding, if a control measure is determined to not be feasible by the school district at this point, that implementation occurs to the extent of the school district’s ability.

  • This guidance will be updated as necessary. 

• Black Hawk County Health Department releases updates on health guidelines for businesses
• Grant applications now available for Black Hawk County COVID-19 Cooperative Disaster Response Fund

  • Nonprofits may now apply for grants from the Black Hawk County COVID-19 Cooperative Disaster Response Fund with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Nonprofits serving Black Hawk County that are providing basic needs services and/or working with individuals and families who have been disproportionately impacted by the public health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to apply.

Other Possible Funding Sources for Business

• Changes Made to Main Street Lending Program

• Kiva: Individual to individual lending. Has existed for a long time for supporting microenterprises across the world but also does loans in the USA.

• Delta Dental: Advance payments to dental practices and a grant program for NPO’s.
• Iowa Credit Union Association: $500 Grants for Individuals or businesses
• Thryve Foundation Business Grant
• Professional Beauty Association Relief Fund
• For Students/Educators

Cedar Valley Resources 

• Mask Up Cedar Valley Flyers

  • Grow Cedar Valley has shared some graphics businesses can use to promote the wearing of masks when social distance guidelines can not be followed. We know it is a sacrifice of our comfort, but we believe all measures must be taken seriously when it ensures our area businesses remain open. Please follow mask best practices and guidelines.

  • View flyers

• Grow Cedar Valley's Return to Work Guide

  • As the Cedar Valley continues to reopen, Grow Cedar Valley is doing the same. Our staff is gradually returning to the office while still conducting a majority of our work remotely. If your business is looking for assistance for reopening, please check out/use our Return to Work Guide as a reference!

• Mask of Wellness

  • A positive approach that benefits the social, physical, and economic wellness of a community and provides businesses with a free COVID-Conscious method and self-certification program

• EMBARC helplines in 10 different languages for refugee and immigrant community members for help with basic medical questions, essential supplies like food, victim services, and applying for unemployment benefits. 

  • Staff and volunteers with EMBARC are available to take calls and answer emails Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. 

• Local Marketing Match Grant Program

  • Waterloo Courier along with Amplified Digital and Lee Enterprise are offering marketing matching grants from $250-$150,000/month per business.  The program covers print and digital ads and agency products.  Awards will be made for April, May, and June.

• Service and opportunities from Grow Cedar Valley Investors
• Cedar Valley Strong: Local effort to communicate businesses still open, and clearinghouse for support of local business.
• Cedar Falls Downtown Local Business Updates
• #EatLoveWaterloo: Local effort to communicate businesses still open, and clearinghouse for support of local business.
• KWWL Takeout Guide
• Local businesses need your support. Check out our online directory, a great place to start.
• 5 Ways to Help Your Favorite Restaurant Survive COVID-19
• How you can help Cedar Valley Hospitals with COVID-19
• Cedar Falls, Iowa COVID-19 Relief and Information Site
• Waterloo, Iowa COVID-19 Information Hub

Education

• Cedar Valley Metro School Districts and Cities Unite in COVID-19 Mitigation Effort

  • Waterloo Schools and Cedar Falls Schools are moving to virtual instruction for a period of five days. Waterloo Schools and Cedar Falls Schools will not hold in-person classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday and Tuesday, November 23-24) and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following Thanksgiving (November 30-December 2). Classes will be provided virtually for this period, which includes five instructional days for Waterloo and Cedar Falls, and will resume in-person classes on Thursday, December 3.

• Return-to-Learn: Reopening Iowa's schools safely and responsibly

• Evaluating Sick Students & Staff: Reopening Iowa's schools safely and responsibly

Other Resources

• EMBARC helplines in 10 different languages for refugee and immigrant community members for help with basic medical questions, essential supplies like food, victim services, and applying for unemployment benefits. 
• Staff and volunteers with EMBARC are available to take calls and answer emails Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. 
• Toolkit for Reopening Your Business During COVID-19
• Iowa Legal Aid helpline for any legal issue related to COVID.  1-800-332-0419
• Visit the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) website for information on how to learn more about protecting your business, managing operations, and planning for supply chain disruptions.
• Resources for supporting Mental Health. Mental health is more important as more employees are working remotely 
• Iowa Childcare Availability Map: Interactive Map of Providers and Availability
• Upcoming & Recorded Webinars from Advanced Iowa
• Utilities
  • MidAmerican COVID-19 Safety Precautions
  • Cedar Falls Utilities
• MRA's Toolkit contains business owners and HR staff with timely resources on the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, such as sample policies, guidance on communicating and preparing your workplaces, and layoff/closing information.
• Economic Impact Payments: What you Need to Know

Information for Employers (Reopening, Returning to the Workplace, Health & Safety Guidelines)

• Reopening/Returning to the Workplace

  • COVID Recovery Iowa Outreach Program: Free crisis counseling and other services over via zoom to those in the Cedar Valley that have been impacted by COVID (services available in English and Spanish).

    • Parent Group

    • Pre Teens

    • Teen Support (Age 12+)

  • Toolkit for Reopening Your Business During COVID-19

  • State of Iowa Agency Guidance by Industry

  • OSHA "Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus" Available in 11 languages.
  • Employee Safety & Facility Considerations to Prepare the Workplace for a Safe Return Webinar presented by MRA
  • Guidelines from OSHA on Preparing the Workplace for COVID-19 Safety
  • CDC Plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
  • Key Actions in Response to COVID-19 in the Workplace
  • COVID-19 Employer Guidance - IDPH Procedures on Outbreaks and Reporting
  • The Endangered Languages Project is compiling COVID-19 public health information in as many languages as possible.

• Health & Safety Guidelines

  • Steps to take before COVID-19 Employee Testing
  • Frequent and deeper cleaning of the office and home. Most Clorox, Lysol, and Purell products should fit the bill. View a full list of products that can be used during a coronavirus outbreak.
  • SHRM's (Society for Human Resource Management) Coronavirus and COVID-19 Toolkit informs your employees about best practices to help stop the spread of illnesses.
  • Black Hawk County Health Department
  • Center for Disease Control
  • Iowa Department of Public Health

Grow Cedar Valley

We realize that the uptick in cancellations may feel alarming. Remember that these are all strategies to stop the spread. In light of that, we at Grow Cedar Valley will be implementing the following procedures to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus:

• All staff will telecommute when possible.
• Non-essential events and meetings have been or will be canceled, postponed, or adjusted to take place as a virtual meeting.
• The Grow Cedar Valley Office will be open by appointment only and critical organizational operations.  Walk in’s and access from the general public will be restricted until further notice.

As our community continues to contend with this health crisis, we want to thank our critical service workers, businesses, non-profits, and governments that have and will be on the front lines. We recognize that this is a fluid situation with changes occurring hourly around our community and the country. Rest assured, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide any updates regarding our operations.

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Grow Cedar Valley staff. We welcome your feedback, if there is a resource that you are looking for or requirements please let us know!