COVID-19 Business Resources

Signed into law March 27, 2020, the CARES Act is designed to get funds into the hands of affected businesses as soon as possible. The legislation:

• Provides $376 billion to help small businesses (up to 500 employees), non-profits, sole proprietors and independent contractors negatively impacted by COVID-19. All are eligible entities to apply for some aspect of relief.
• Modifies the EIDL program, making “advance” funds available to businesses.
• Makes taking advantage of SBA loans easy and does not negatively impact your credit rating.
• For more information, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster.

SBA Loan Process/Funding Resources

Following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by President Trump and a request for Georgia from Governor Brian Kemp, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan assistance is now available to businesses in Georgia suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19.

• Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
• Please note that applicants are applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, so theyMUST select the Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Option. 
• If they select the wrong option, they do not have to re-register but they will need to start the application again.
• The following PDF explains the Three Step Loan Process: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf.
• Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
• Small Business Development Center SBA Emergency Loans Overview
• SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan

Second Draw Paycheck Protection Program

• The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) incentivizes small businesses to keep your employees on the payroll.
• The SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for 8-weeks and the funds are used for payroll, mortgage interest, rent and utilities; rate varies from .5 to 4%; loan amounts based on recent payroll, up to $10 million.
• Apply with your local/regional SBA lender.
• Local banks accepting PPP applications from non-customers:
  LGE Community Credit Union | Ashley Rowe | Ashleyro@lgeccu@org | | 770.286.7844
  Credit Union of Georgia | Lisa Kendrick | 678.322.2046
  Ameris bank | John Moreau | 770.345.7500 or 770.704.9893
  (Note: Ameris Bank is prioritizing existing customers’ applications, but IS accepting applications from non-customers.)
• Learn more here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

• The Economic Injury Disaster Loan provides a 3.75% loan, up to $2 million directly with the SBA.
• The loan includes an EIDL “advance” of up to $10,000 that does not have to be paid back; is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; requires an online application (deadline is 12/31/2020); and is heavily credit score driven.
• The ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN (EIDL) application process has reopened. SUBMIT your application. Check your email from the SBA to reapply.
• Learn more and apply directly ONLINE here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.

SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan

• The SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan allows businesses to access up to $25,000 quickly if you already have a preexisting relationship with an SBA Express Lender.
• The loan helps businesses overcome temporary loss of revenue and bridge the gap while applying for current SBA disaster relief loans.
• Apply for the SBA Express Bridge Loan 𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗣: https://bit.ly/2Xji5OS.

SBA Debt Relief

• SBA will pay the principal, interest and associated loan fees of your existing 7a loans for six months.
• Learn more here:

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Local

Fresh Start Cherokee via social media (@freshstartcherokee and @startupcherokee)

cherokeechamber.com

Cherokee Connect

Telework Best Practices – Georgia Commute Options 

State

Georgia.org Entrepreneurship and Small Business Facts

Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act

Georgia SBDC: Guide to Conquering a Business Crisis – from the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Georgia SBDC, Response and Recovery

Invest Atlanta Business Continuity Loan Fund: (SMBs operating within city limits only; could apply to existing or future NAV startups too)

National

Small Business Administration

SBA Disaster Assistance

CARES act and SBA – by Rep. Steve Chabot

Alternative Resources/Funding

Kauffman’s Guide to Helping Small Business Navigate COVID-19

Economic Innovation Group: Understanding the Payment Protection Program

Alice.com COVID-19 Business Center

We Funder Loans

Paypal Working Capital

Square.com’s Capital

Square.com’s Immediate Support Response

CASE at Duke Fuqua’s Capital Release Fund Resources

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

The Cherokee Workforce Collaborative will be held on September 14, 2020, from 8-9 a.m. (Virtually)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)
(Source: Georgia Chamber of Commerce)

Under the EFMLA, employees who have worked for the employer for at least 30 days will be entitled to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for any of the following reasons:

1. To adhere to a requirement or recommendation by a health care provider or a public health official having jurisdiction to quarantine due to exposure to or symptoms of coronavirus
2. To care for an at-risk family member who is adhering to a requirement or recommendation by a health care provider or a public health official to quarantine due to exposure to or symptoms of coronavirus
3. To care for a child of the employee if the child’s school or place of care has been closed, or the childcare provider is unavailable, due to coronavirus
4. Under the bill, the first two weeks of such FMLA may be unpaid. An employee may choose to substitute accrued vacation leave, personal leave, or other medical or sick leave during this period, but an employer may not require an employee to do so. After the two weeks of unpaid leave, employers must provide up to 10 weeks of paid FMLA leave at a rate of no less than two-thirds of the employee’s regular rate of pay.

Unemployment Rule 

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has adopted an emergency Rule 300-2-4-0.5 Partial Claims, effective March 16, 2020. The rule mandates all Georgia employers to file partial unemployment claims online on behalf of their employees for any week during which an employee (full-time/part-time) works less than full-time due to a partial or total company shutdown caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Download the How Employers File Partial Claims Desk-Aid found on the GDOL Alert Page and follow the step-by-step instructions.

We are here to keep your project moving.  Unable to make an in-person visit?  No problem!  We have a rich database of shareable photos of Cherokee’s diverse locations to help you move your story forward.  Whether a visiting film team with studio backing or a student just starting out, COED remains dedicated to helping you bring your film project to life. For all film inquiries, please contact Film Project Manager Molly Mercer at 770.345.0600 ext.3280 or mmercer@cherokeega.org .

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the last couple of weeks is that Georgia’s leaders are strong, innovative, and creative in finding resources for all those financially impacted by COVID-19.  Check out this list of resources specific to the film industry shared from the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Film Division