Southbury Office of Economic Development Launches Resource Page for Local Businesses

The Southbury Office of Economic Development has put together a resource information page for local businesses to better understand the available assistance programs on the Town, State, and Federal level.

The Southbury Office of Economic Development has put together a resource information page for local businesses to better understand the available assistance programs on the Town, State, and Federal level.


Upcoming Opportunities

  • TODAY, April 8th – Webinar @ 10:00am - Business During & After Covid-19: A Webinar with David Salinas & Pete Sena of Digital Surgeons and District New Haven. Join Zoom Meeting: https://lnkd.in/dF9YSai. Companies of all industries and sizes must think differently about business moving forward. Some things are expected to go back to the usual, while others will likely stay in the new normal. Join a panel discussion where David and Pete discuss what is going on, and answer submitted questions. Submit questions to makayla.silva@gmail.com and/or jnash@milfordct.gov. David and Pete are the yin and yang of business and marketing strategy, Grit and Wit. Cofounders of Digital Surgeons, District New Haven, and more. They've worked with everyone from Lady Gaga and UTC.
  • THURSDAY, April 9th – 1-2pm: Governor Lamont is hosting a statewide conference call for employers at 1 pm Thursday, featuring officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the departments of Economic and Community Development, Banking, and Insurance. Call: 888.456.0356; Passcode: 2802806#
    Topics include:
  • Federal Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Grants
  • Connecticut initiatives to assist businesses and residents
  • Mortgage deferment and assistance
  • Health insurance grace period
  • THURSDAY, April 9th – from 1 to 2 p.m. the Connecticut Insurance Department, the Department of Banking and the Small Business Administration are holding a conference call to provide more details on state and federal COVID-19 relief programs and answer key questions. To join the call, dial 888-456-0356 and, when prompted, enter the passcode 2802806#
  • THURSDAY, April 9th – at 2:30 p.m. Danbury Chamber of Commerce is holding a Business update conference call on tax, insurance and employment areas impacted by COVID-19. Submit your questions in advance by 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night, April 8th to: pj@danburychamber.comRegister here.

New Business Updates

New SBA Website Application for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): Website Application for EIDL.
This Grant/Advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.
The SBA created a new streamlined application. In order to qualify for the Advance, you need to submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing application.
Even a business that will also apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) should apply. The amount of the grant will be subtracted from the amount forgiven under PPP.

If the website moves too slow, try to apply during off hours.


Other Resources

  • FREE RESUME REVIEW SERVICE: Recently lost your job due to the COVID-19 crisis and need your resume reviewed for free? E-mail: //www.southbury-ct.org/ConnecticutComeback@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(45, 123, 204); text-decoration-line: none; outline: none;">ConnecticutComeback@gmail.com.
  • MAINVEST, a crowdfunding platform, has announced its new Main Street Initiative: a $2,000, zero-interest, 120 day loan for restaurants, or other brick and mortars affected by the shutdown. https://lnkd.in/dZGDh7r. Nick Mathews Benjamin Blieden, CFA

Businesses and nonprofits seeking guidance related to Governor Lamont's "Stay Safe, Stay Home" executive order directing all non-essential workers statewide to work from home are urged to read the guidance provided by DECD.

Governor Lamont’s Press Releases: portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases.

New Business Updates Governor Lamont’s Press Release March 19, 6pm

Business highlights:

  • Permits certain restaurants and other eating establishments to sell alcohol with takeout food orders and certain other licensees to sell off-premise consumption under conditions specified in the order and implementing orders to be issued by the Dept. of Consumer Protection.
  • Directs the temporary closure of barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, and related businesses effective at 8:00pm Friday.
  • Expands the ability of doctors and patients to use telehealth for healthcare services.
  • Banking Commissioner Perez is reassuring CT residents their money is safe in banks and credit unions.

State Economic Development Conference Call

March 19 - Governor Lamont and DECD Commissioner David Lehman held a conference call with businesses and other stakeholders to discuss how they’re responding to this crisis. You can listen to the recording of this call here: March 19 Governor, DECD Call.


COVID-19 Connecticut Business Survey

How is your company addressing the challenges posed by the Coronavirus? Your feedback is critical and will help direct the response from the Governor and the state Department of Economic and Community Development, in conjunction with AdvanceCT and CBIA. The COVID19 Biz Survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Your participation is important.

DECD’s COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit: The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is has been set up at 860-500-2322 to provide assistance to Connecticut's small businesses for this purpose or e-mail them at: decd.covid19@ct.gov.

For more information on State responses for businesses: CTDECD COVID Business Portal.

New Unemployment Benefits: Workers directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work. And employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. See: Informative PDF or visit filectui.com.

Federal

Economic Injury Disaster loans: Companies can now apply for loans of up to $2 million, through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) here: SBA Disaster Loan. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the virus’ impact. Interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. Call the SBA at (800) 659-2955.

Webinar: How to Apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

Step-by-step instructions on completing the loan application.


Taxes

TAX FILING DEADLINES

Federal Tax Filing extensions: The IRS has pushed back the tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, giving 2019 Taxpayers a three-month reprieve to pay the income taxes they owe up to $1 million in taxes. Corporate filers would get the same length of time to pay amounts due on up to $10 million in taxes owed. There is also guidance on high deductible health plan and costs related to COVID-19. Details are on the IRS' Website.

State Tax Filing extensions: The CT Department of Revenue Services has extended filing deadlines for certain annual state business tax returns. More on that here: DRS' Website.


COVID-19 Building Cleaning,

Should you have an employee that has a confirmed case of COVID19, the CDC recommends the following for Cleaning and Disinfection After Persons Suspected/Confirmed to Have COVID-19 Have Been in the Facility.


Restaurant Delivery and Curbside Pick-up Service Guidance

The Governor’s Executive Order No. 7D, requires restaurants, eating establishments, and bars that serve food to temporarily move to take-out and delivery services only. Some ideas:

  • Utilize your email marketing list to let your customers know you’re open;
  • If you do not already offer delivery service, sign-up for a third-party food delivery service: GrubhubUbereatsDoordash;
  • The ED Office has put together a LIST of RESTAURANTS that offer take away service. If you would like to be added to that list please email: EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov.

Practical Tips

Restaurants that offer Delivery Service: Must ensure there is proper insulation carriers in place to transport foods at the correct holding temperature.

Restaurants using Carrier Services: Doordash, etc. should have a protocol in place to validate their health status. Keep a log of patrons they deliver to at all times.

Restaurants doing Pick-Up Service MUST:

  1. Give a “pick-up time” for each order, to reduce the number of customers in the facility at a given time, as well as the holding times for meals.
  2. Maintain all foods at the proper holding temperatures.
  3. Patrons are prohibited from sitting and hanging out at the counter.
  4. Limit the number of patrons admitted in the facility and maintain CDC separation guidelines.
  5. Sanitize door knobs, rails, and other high touch areas, including point-of-sale machines and credit card portals, frequently.
  6. Limit time server spends with the patrons.
  7.  All food workers engaged in collection / exchange of money, or person-to-person contact, should wear gloves; wash hands frequently and use sanitizers.
  8. Maintain a log of all customers served. (Call logs will suffice.)

Restaurants doing Curb-Side delivery:

  1. Give a “pick-up time for each order, to reduce the number of patrons in waiting and reduce holding time.
  2. Maintain all foods at the proper temperatures.
  3. Ensure patrons are not hanging out at the counter.
  4. Ensure food is properly protected from the elements.
  5. Designate one or two persons to interact with customers.
  6. Designate one person to handle money or credit card transactions.
  7. Keep a log of these workers.
  8. Zero eating or drinking by customers if waiting for pick-up.
  9. Maintain safe distance and follow CDC guidelines.

Delivery service:

  1. “Leave at Door Delivery” – Specify with the customer on where they would like the food delivered (“By my door” or “Ring my doorbell and leave it in the lobby.”)
  2. Try and use electronic payments instead of cash.
  3. Delivery drivers should be sanitizing their vehicle, wiping down steering wheels, doors, and sanitizing hands or wearing gloves.

Additional Links for Your Business

For more useful COVID-19 related information go to www.southbury-ct.org/coronavirus.

For further information, please visit: www.southbury-ct.org/business-covid19.

 

S
Submitted by Southbury, CT

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