CONNECT WITH A BUSINESS ADVISOR TODAY AT NO-COST.
If your business has experienced economic injury due to the impact
of COVID-19, you do not have walk alone.
Please call 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH)
805.309.5874 (SPANISH) to schedule an appointment.
COVID-19 Business Resources
IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
As the spread and impact of COVID-19 is still an unknown, the EDC recommends businesses, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits to take the following action steps:
- REVISIT YOUR CASH FLOW NEEDS- As the reopening plan remains fluid with unknown timelines, we recommend clients reconsider cash flow needs for the next 8-12 months and seek additional capital and financial consulting through the EDC SBDC. Call 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) 805.309.5874 (SPANISH) to schedule an appointment.
- REOPEN AND MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE- the State of California has outlined the new Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Ventura and Santa Barbara County have outlined detailed information in consideration of the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Be sure to diligently confirm all steps required to reopen your business safely. For more information please visit Ventura County Recovers and Ready Santa Barbara County.
- CONNECT WITH YOUR LANDLORD- Are you currently a commercial tenant? If you are currently renting and unable to pay rent due to financial hardship and the impact of COVID-19, we encourage you to inform your landlord by completing a Declaration of COVID-19 Related Financial Stress in order to preserve your rights as a tenant. For more information on the August 31, 2020 residential eviction moratorium view our EDC Legal Alert here or the September 23, 3030 extension of eviction protections to commercial renters view Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-80-20. View our EDC Guide for Advisors, Tenants and Landlords During COVID-19 here.
Webinars
EDC hosts webinars every week on resources and assistance now available for employers, self-employed individuals and employees under the CARES Act. Webinars are held in English and Spanish. Space is limited. Please register in advance.
Recovery Resources for Businesses, Self Employed individuals and Nonprofits
The Economic Development Collaborative has compiled a list of resources now available for Businesses, Self Employed Individuals and Nonprofits who have been impacted by COVID-19.
SBA ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS (EIDL)
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants may apply online. Applicants may also call 800.659.2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800.877.8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
The deadline for this SBA loan program has closed. If you have received a PPP loan, please work with your lender to process the Paycheck Protection Loan Forgiveness Application. For frequently asked questions please visit the U.S. Department of Treasury.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA)
Unemployment benefits are available for self-employed individuals and employees. If you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of COVID-19. Apply for unemployment with the EDD here. For more information on self-employed unemployment benefits (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) click here.
EDD WORKSHARE PROGRAM
The EDD Workshare Program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit the Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply. Note: Nonprofits are not eligible to participate in EDD Workshare.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to COVID-19 beginning April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. For more information visit the Department of Labor’s website. More questions? Visit the Department of Labor’s Q&A page.
EDC DISASTER LOAN FUND
In addition to our traditional EDC loan funds, EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000- $50,000 and a 48 month term through our Disaster Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses impacted by reduced sales, supply chain disruption or other challenges related to COVID-19. Email loans@edcollaborative.com for more information.
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES (WEV) RESTART LOAN
WEV’S Restart Loan provides capital to Santa Barbara County and Ventura County businesses who are now open or eligible to open under the most current government orders. Visit WEV’s website for more information.
The Employee Retention Credit is designed to assist employers keep their employees on payroll by offering them a tax credit for wages paid. For more information please visit the IRS website.
EVICTION MORATORIUM FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTERS
On August 31, 2020, Governor Newsom signed the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 (the “Act”), urgency legislation that immediately went into effect on September 1, 2020. This act protects residential tenants, homeowners and small landlords from being evicted due to nonpayment of rent before February 1, 2021. More conditions apply. Click here to review current state guidelines. For more information on COVID-19 moratorium related eviction guidelines in Ventura and Santa Barbara County please visit this website. For more information on the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 view our EDC Legal Alert here.
EVICTION PROTECTIONS EXTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL RENTERS
On September 23, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-80-20. The Order extends the time frame for local governments to provide commercial eviction protections due to COVID-19 to March 31, 2021. The additional protection is not automatic, however. Commercial landlords and tenants will have to wait and see if local governments in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County or surrounding areas enact or extend the protections authorized by the Order.
View our EDC Guide for Advisors, Tenants and Landlords During COVID-19 here.
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Foreclosure protection is available for homeowners or small landlords who have federally-backed mortgages through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Homeowners or small landlords who do not have federally-backed loans can contact their loan servicers to request forbearance. Your lender must provide detailed reasons if they deny your forbearance request. You can contest a denial. Find out more about mortgage help and how to get it. For more information on the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 view our EDC Legal Alert here.
Reopening
The State of California has outlined the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Ventura County businesses that have been identified as eligible to reopen, must meet county and state health and safety compliance protocols. For more information regarding state and county health and safety protocols, industry-specific worksite plan templates, and outlined steps to reopen visit VC Reopens or visit the FAQ’s page. For questions related to business reopening call the COVID-19 Business Compliance Hotline at 805.202.1805 or email covidcompliance@ventura.org.
The State of California has outlined the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Santa Barbara County has outlined detailed information in consideration of the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Be sure to diligently confirm all steps required to reopen your business safely. For more information please click here for all reopening requirements, industry specific guidance and worksite prevention plans. For questions related to business reopening call 833.688.5551 or email EHSadmin@sbcphd.org.
Public Health
EDC encourages all individuals to review local, state and federal guidelines to remain in compliance with health and safety protocols during this time.
The Ventura County Public Health Department has issued public health and safety orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit Ventura County Recovers to view all current safety orders.
Santa Barbara Public Health Department has issued public health and safety orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit the Santa Barbara Public Health Information Portal to view all current safety orders.
Partners in Recovery
As partners in business assistance, EDC recommends the following organizations dedicated to support businesses in recovery.
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development and business assistance efforts. They offer no cost consultation for incentive identification, site selection, regulatory or permitting compliance assistance, foreign direct investment and export assistance. For more information please visit the GO-Biz website.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) offers short-term and long-term business consulting to assist businesses with recovering from Covid, improve QuickBooks understanding and pivot their business. Free business-related webinars are regularly held in English and Spanish. For more information please visit WEV’s website.
For over 50 years, SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring and education. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. For more information please visit SCORE Ventura County or SCORE Santa Barbara County.
