Small Business & Non-Profits

Rural Relief Small Business Grants

  • National grant program offered by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)
  • Eligible Small Businesses must be located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less.
  • Open Monday, September 28 to Monday, October 5
  • All potential applicants are encouraged to review the FAQ and grant information before applying.
  • Click here for full details.

SBA (U.S.) Small Business Administration Resources/Recommendations:

  • The new COVID-19 stimulus package (signed into law in December 2020) increased funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and other relief programs.
    • Click here to see a quick guide on PPP and other relief programs.
      • Please note: The Small Business Administration (SBA) has not reopened the EIDL program at this time.
  • The new PPP is open for First Draw applications, for those who did not receive a PPP loan prior to August 8, 2020. Applicants who have received PPP and would like to apply again may do so through their same lender – referred to as a Second Draw application.
  • Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan (received PPP in the past) and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses. Those applicants will also have to demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts* between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.

*Gross Receipts are defined by the IRS as “the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses.”

  • On January 11, certain lenders (Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFI’s) were permitted to start accepting applications from those who have not previously received PPP – referred to as a First Draw application for those who did not receive a PPP loan prior to August 8, 2020.
  • Beginning Friday, January 15, local, regional banks, or credit unions will be able to accept all applicants.
  • On Tuesday, January 19, all participating PPP lenders will be permitted to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.
  • Business owners interested in applying for PPP for their first or second time, should begin conversations as promptly as possible with a lender/bank/credit union they have a relationship with to begin the process or at minimum understand the timeline in which their institution plans to start processing PPP applications.

 

For a list of lenders, please click this link

For a quick rundown on PPP and other programs, click this link.

 

 

  • The PA SBDC will launch a weekly SBA Emergency Loan Webinar series. The free series is hosted every Thursday from January 14 – February 25. The series will cover the process of applying, FAQ’s, eligibility, and other helpful guides. To register for the event please view the informational flyer and click on a date, click here.

If you have additional questions, contact the YCEA team at info@yocostrong.com

 

COVID-19 Related Tax Credits

Paid Leave Tax Credits: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits to reimbursees them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave related to COVID-19.

Click Here for a U.S. Chamber Employer Guide to the Paid Leave Tax Credit

Employee Retention Credit: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Please note employers who receive the Paycheck Protection Program loan are not eligible for this tax credit.

Click Here to Access a Guide on the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Free Legal Assistance for Entrepreneurs

Penn State Law is offering two free assistance clinics to Pennsylvania-based startups and small businesses. No affiliation with Penn State is required to partake in these services.

  • Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic  provides expert legal advice on legal matters related to business startup:
    • Business/entity formation
    • Founder agreements
    • Employee agreements and management
    • Investor term sheets
    • Regulatory compliance

To sign up for an appointment, fill out the claim form here- https://harrisburg.launchbox.psu.edu/penn-state-law-entrepreneurship-assistance-clinic-submission-form/

  • Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic counsels innovators, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and early-stage start-ups in intellectual property strategy.
    • General intellectual property counseling
    • Patentability and trademark clearance searches
    • Drafting patent and trademark applications, and interacting with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Services are provided by appointment only.

York County Bar Assoc. to Offer Free Pandemic Consultation for Small Businesses
The York County Bar Association launched its Small Business Pandemic Assistance Program. Through this program, the York County Bar Association will offer free consultations (up to one-hour) to small businesses (under 20 employees) based in York County, on legal issues relating to the pandemic and the challenges it poses for businesses.  This is not a reduced-fee program and representation beyond the free consultation is between the business owner and the attorney.

Areas covered by the program include:

  • Bankruptcy – Commercial
  • CARES Act/PPP loans
  • Contract
  • Employment Law – including COVID protocols
  • Insurance Issues
  • Landlord/Tenant

Interested businesses are asked to complete a form on the Bar Association’s website. Anyone who fits the qualifications will be contacted with referral information.

 

SCORE Back-to-Business Advisory Team

Re-open Your Business!

Today you face unprecedented economic challenges. But as a South-Central Pennsylvania business owner restarting your business, you can have support from a team of SCORE-certified volunteer mentors: the Susquehanna SCORE Back-to-Business Advisory Team (B2BAT). Members of the team are current or former business owners ready to use their experience and know-how to help you re-start your business. Ask the team to go to bat for you by emailing our office manager, Tammi, the dates and times you’re open for a Zoom mentoring session.

Tell us the issues you want to cover:
• Cash flow
• Loan repayment
• Rent
• Competitive pricing
• Staff
• Marketing
• And more!
You set the agenda. All mentoring sessions are free and confidential.

Restart your business by calling Tammi today at (717) 845-8830 or contact her
at Susquehanna@scorevolunteer.org.

Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loan

Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

(Ref. Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19))

Insurance Coverage Issues

Many businesses have business interruption insurance; now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.

(Ref: Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19))

Changing Market Demand

Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.

(Ref: SBDC)

Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA):

COVID-19 Working Capital Assistance Fund (CWCA)

3.31, 8 p.m.: Due to overwhelming demand and limited resources, the Commonwealth of PA has closed the application round for the CWCA loan fund. We encourage you to review the SBA checklist and continue to check back when that application opens.  We will also send an e-newsletter alert when more details become available. If you do not receive our e-newsletters, please drop us an email.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Launches Save Small Business Fund

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, with founding partner Vistaprint, has launched the Save Small Business Fund, a grant program to provide assistance to small businesses owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers in economically vulnerable communities in the United States and its territories.

Grant applications open on April 20, 2020. To qualify, applicants must employ between three and 20 people, be located in an economically vulnerable community, and have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be awarded weekly on a rapid and rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed.

To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund or apply for a grant, visit www.savesmallbusiness.com.

LISC & Sam’s Club Small Business Grant Application

Grants of up to $10,000 each to women, minority and veteran owned small business owners to help meet their most immediate needs. Eligible expenses include:

  • Paying rent and utilities
  • Meeting payroll
  • Paying outstanding debt to vendors
  • Upgrading technology infrastructure
  • Other immediate operational costs

To learn more about the qualifications and apply for a grant, visit this link.

Emergency Grant Program For Farms, Processors, and Other Small Food Businesses

The GIANT Company announced today a $250,000 emergency grant program, in partnership with Team Pennsylvania, to support small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are now being accepted online through April 24 from any small business involved in growing, making or processing food within the Commonwealth. The GIANT Company and Team Pennsylvania worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Chamber, and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association to develop the program. Details and Application Here

Kiva Program

Small businesses are already being negatively impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the United States, including many members of the Kiva community. Many of those businesses and entrepreneurs are currently looking for financial relief to survive the next trying months — and we believe the Kiva community can help. Kiva lenders have shown their commitment to providing financial assistance to all by making 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs in the U.S. on Kiva.org for the last ten years. Access to affordable capital on the Kiva platform may be the difference between shutting down and keeping the doors to a small business open.

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has global impact, and we’ll continue to explore ways to help as many people affected by this crisis as possible. Currently, the U.S. market is the place we have the most agility to deploy financial assistance.

Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to the following:

  • Expanded eligibility: More businesses in the US will be eligible for a Kiva loan than ever.
  • Larger loans: The maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Grace period: New borrowers may access a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility.

If you’re a small business owner who believes you can benefit from a Kiva loan, or you know one in your community, reach out to our Capital Access Managers at york@local.kiva.org

Join us at www kivaushub.org/borrower or https://www.yorkcity.org/business/kiva-york/ and apply for a loan.

The Kiva community is behind you.

How to aid small businesses:

1. Most restaurants are providing to-go and carryout, please consider ordering and supporting through them directly, or via GrubHub or Doordash

2. Shop locally, via online sites

3. Purchase large quantity gift certificates now, to be utilized later

4. Post positive reviews of your favorite local businesses on Facebook, Yelp and Google.

Non-Profit Resources & Guidelines

Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders

Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care.

Read More

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Created to know the needs of nonprofits so that they can advocate on state and federal level on behalf of nonprofits. You don’t have to be a member to complete the survey.

Read More

Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Read More

PA's Shared Work Program

A Shared-Work plan allows an employer to temporarily reduce the work hours of a group of employees and divide the available hours equally rather than laying off any employees. Employees covered by a Shared-Work plan receive a percentage of their Unemployment Compensation (UC) Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), while they work the reduced schedule, if they are otherwise eligible for UC.

Read More

"Slow the Spread" WellSpan Grant

WellSpan Health is providing emergency community partnership grants to help support community partners during this time of need.

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, WellSpan is offering a streamlined request process for organizations in WellSpan’s service area that have identified an emergent need impacting the populations they are serving as a result of or related to this pandemic.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received.

 

Read More

Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings

Before and During an outbreak the CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more.Read More

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19

The National Council of Nonprofits has shared insights about how nonprofits can utilize the new federal legislation concerning coronavirus to advance their missions.

Read More

York County COVID-19 Response Fund

The York County Community Foundation has partnered with the United Way of York county, as well as other partners, to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations during this crisis.

Read More

Email Security/Risk & Technology Assistance

Businesses should take heightened care for phishing emails, as scammers are beginning to target both individuals and businesses with fake emails from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization. The best defense is to keep your tech up to date, don’t download software or click links from unknown people, and stick with authoritative sources for news on important topics.

(Ref. Attackers Expand Coronavirus-Themed Attacks and Prey on Conspiracy Theories)

 

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues to evolve and as a local business invested in the community we wanted to reach out, and let you know that LogMeIn is offering free emergency remote work kits to eligible organizations in the following categories: municipalities, health care providers, education institutes and non-profit organizations. The emergency response kit includes resources to host web meeting, virtual events, provide system access and support remotely.

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