A message from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and the way we do business. We’ve learned how to remote work and come together as a community. First and foremost, our members are at the top of our minds and we wanted to let you know our next steps as we navigate this “new normal.”
- We are in constant communication with our federal, state, and local officials each day. As information becomes available regarding assistance from the Small Business Administration and other federal programs, we want the needs and issues of our membership to be heard.
- We are working with our local restaurants and retailers to provide a comprehensive list of takeout, delivery, and gift card options. You are a critical part of the lifeblood of our community and we want to do everything in our power to amplify your services.
- We are hosting Daily Action Calls with local experts, service providers, and officials to provide guidance, support, and direction in these unprecedented times.
We believe in the strength of Greensboro and are here for you. Please reach out with any questions and needs you may have. We have set up a simple survey to capture these and be distributed to the right person on our staff.
ALL Chamber events and public use of our offices are suspended until further notice.
Resources (Click to see more)
Each weekday at 3 p.m., we’re bringing you business experts to discuss what can be done to mitigate the negative effects of this pandemic.
We want your questions! Tweet to us @gsochamber or use the Zoom chat function.
Join the Zoom meeting on your computer:
https://zoom.us/j/780338797
Meeting ID: 780 338 797
Phone in:
+1 646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 780 338 797
Let’s admit it, we miss seeing your faces! Join us on Monday mornings at 10:15 a.m. and tell us how you’re doing. We want to hear your stories of innovation, adaptation, and what you’ve learned throughout the last couple of weeks. We’ll provide the platform, you bring the coffee. Let’s start our week out on the right foot – together.
Join us on Zoom Mondays at 10:15 a.m.
https://zoom.us/j/193140732
Meeting ID: 193 140 732
One-tap mobile
+16465588656,,193140732# US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acN3ivjW6G
Council of Development Finance Agencies Weekly Briefing
Fridays, 1 p.m.
These one-hour phone calls will feature legislative updates, news from our members, state and local financing strategies, and lessons learned from previous development finance responses to disasters.
Essential Businesses
Effective Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m., Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a statewide Stay-At-Home order for non-essential businesses. Please check Section 2: Essential Businesses and Operations in the Stay-at-Home order to see if you are considered to be essential. If a company is essential they do NOT need any type of paperwork for their employees to go to work.
If a company is uncertain if they are essential, they may make an essential business request with the NC Dept. of Revenue here: https://www.ncdor.gov/home/ncdor-actions-covid-19/covid-19-essential-businesses.
If a company made a previous request to be considered an essential business it is not valid and they must make a new request with the Department of Revenue. Again, a company who is unsure if they are considered essential per the Stay-at-Home order, they must make this request through the new process in the essential business link above in order to get an official State decision.
CARES Act Breakdown
A presentation from the US Chamber of Commerce on the major provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security Act – or CARES Act.
City of Greensboro
Greensboro-specific announcements, cancelations and other updates related to COVID-19.
Employment Law Changes
Effective April 2, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act mandates paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave and enhanced unemployment compensation benefits.
Click here for downloadable workplace posters from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Unemployment Insurance
As an employer you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments to people in a federally declared disaster area whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster. Business owners that are self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisherman, who is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster may be eligible. For more information go to https://des.nc.gov/; Phone: 888-737-0259.
Posting & Finding Jobs
Guilford Works has an online jobs directory for those seeking employment. Employers can post jobs here.
Taxes
Federal: The IRS has automatically extended payment deadlines until July 15, 2020, with some exceptions. The filing deadline is still April 15.
State: The North Carolina Department of Revenue is providing relief to certain taxpayers that failed to timely obtain a license, file a return, or pay a tax with a due date between March 15, 2020 and March 31, 2020.
NC Business Relief Resources
From the Economic Development Partnership of NC Resources.
NC Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resource Guide
Business continuity planning, best practices, employment law FAQ and more.
US Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Response Toolkit
Guides for employment law changes, workplace safety information and other resources.
Ready.Gov Disaster and Emergency Resources
Disaster planning for businesses.
Thriving in the New Normal
NC Small Business Center Network Resources
Free, one-on-one business counseling to help you find the best path forward. The SBCN also offers a wide range of educational webinars on everything from sales and marketing to supply chain management.
US Small Business Administration Guidance & Disaster Loan Information
North Carolina small businesses and private nonprofits are now eligible to apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The working capital loans of up to $2 million can provide vital economic support to small businesses and nonprofits to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program
The Golden LEAF Foundation is providing bridge loans of up to $50,000 with six months of no interest and no payments. These loans are intended to support businesses until they are able to secure an SBA loan or other long-term assistance.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund Disaster Recovery & Resiliency Kit
Funding Options
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) are regulated like banks but these are nonprofits, focusing on helping small, community businesses.
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- Thread Capital (NC Rural Center) – 919-212-4950, connect@threadcap.org
- Carolina Small Business Development Fund (formerly The Support Center) – 919-803-1437. Veterans can obtain a loan with no money down.
- Self-Help Credit Union – 800-476-7428. Special lending for childcare locations.
- Carolina Community Impact, Inc. – 919-861-5321, swolford@ccifund.org. Backed by Community Loan Center of NC Triangle.
- NC Community Development Initiative – 919.828.5655. Has great market research information too.
Duke’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship has a searchable database of global, national and regional capital sources. You can also add to the database.
Manufacturing Forum
Post requests, share availability for supplies, post inquiries about the manufacturing capacity of a facility and/or announce that you are producing a new medical product.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Visit this database of products made or manufactured here in NC. You can also add your products to the list.
Import/Export Information
Contact the Raleigh Regional Office of the US Department of Commerce at 919-281-2750 or the Charlotte US Customs Office at 704-329-6100.
Guidance for Producers of Critical Medical Equipment and Supplies
The Economic Development Partnership of NC has created a comprehensive guide for manufacturers looking to pivot their products and production, add contacts, and gather information.
During this time, and especially because of the loss of the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, it is important for our community to support local businesses. A couple ways to do this while following the CDC’s guidelines for social distancing are to purchase gift cards for later use, shop online and use delivery or pickup services.
Click here for a list of local restaurants and retailers that remain open for takeout, delivery and online shopping.
Click here for a list of our members offering services and resources to those affected by COVID-19.
All Chamber events and programs scheduled through April 16 have been postponed or canceled.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
The following events are postponed until further notice. Questions? Contact Tracy Myers at tmyers@greensboro.org.
Ribbon Cuttings
Member Jumpstart
Coffee & Conversation
Member Information Center Training
Leads Groups
Illuminate Greensboro – POSTPONED
LAUNCH GREENSBORO
Co//ab is closed until at least April 16. Read Co//ab’s full COVID-19 policy here.
Questions? Contact Lou Anne Flanders-Stec at laflanders-stec@greensboro.org.
