North Coast Small Business Pandemic Update 4/15

Take Action:

News:
  • New Regional Hotline for COVID lending questions from Northern California SBDC: 1-833-ask-SBDC (275-7232) loans@asksbdc.com
  • Governor Newsom announces six criteria for reopening for business. Read. Watch.
  • Faster, easier local emergency bridge loans via Fortuna, RREDC, AEDC, Arcata, Del Norte
  • Kiva microlending program opens up for COVID-related loan needs.
  • Which lenders and online lending brokers are accepting Paycheck Protection Loan Program applications
  • Employer hiring and lay-off resources and events below
Webinars







Next Week:

Recorded Webinars

Recursos e seminarios web en español
Employers!
If you're hiring , remember to send your job postings to The Smart Center in Humboldt County and the Del Norte Workforce Center .

If you're laying off , remember to send your employees to a biweekly Virtual Layoff Help Event starting April 24th.
AEDC
Local Lender Updates:


All COVID emergency bridge loans can be refinanced with SBA EIDL $ funding once it arrives.
Fortuna Business Resiliency Emergency Loan
  • Fortuna businesses impacted by COVID-19 not able to secure a traditional bank loan
  • Loans of up to $25,000
  • 2.5% interest
  • Five year term with deferred payments for 6 months
  • Underwriting handled by RREDC
  • All COVID emergency bridge loans can be refinanced with SBA EIDL funding once it arrives.

Information here and Application here

Questions? Contact Dianna Rios , fbid@fortunabusiness.com or Merritt Perry at mperry@ci.fortuna.ca.us

All COVID emergency bridge loans can be refinanced with SBA EIDL $ funding once it arrives.
Arcata Business Resiliency Emergency Loan
  • Arcata businesses impacted by COVID-19. 
  • Loans of up to $10,000
  • 2.5% interest
  • Deferred payments for 6 months. Borrower can then convert to a traditional bank loan. Or the City will carry it with a 5 year loan repayment.

Information & Application here
Questions? Contact Susan Diehl McCarthy, Community Development Specialist II, sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org, ( 707) 825-2168

All COVID emergency bridge loans can be refinanced with SBA EIDL $ funding once it arrives.
Del Norte Small Business Stabilization Loan
  • Del Norte micro businesses impacted by COVID-19
  • Loans of up to $5,000 (flexible)
  • 0% interest
  • Three year repayment term
  • Fewer than five employees
  • Crescent City business license, operating anywhere in Del Norte
  • In operation as of March 1st

I  nformation & Application downloadable here.
Questions? Contact Holly Wendt, hwendt@crescentcity.org , (707) 951-3003

All COVID emergency bridge loans can be refinanced with SBA EIDL $ funding once it arrives.
Paycheck Protection Program
This program is backed by a SBA 7(a) program federal guarantee and works through your local lender to provide a short term forgivable payroll to cover employee costs and some operating expenses.

Resources
Participating PPP Lenders (as of 4/15)
Financial institutions accepting Paycheck Protection Program loan applications:


Financial Intermediaries (FinTech)

Make sure your lender intermediary provides a Borrower’s Bill of Rights upon request ( here's a sample ).

On Hold - Submit Expression of Interest
  • Vocality Community Credit Unionstill awaiting approved by SBA as a new PPP lender and then will take applications from current customers
  • Umpqua Bank: not accepting new applications right now, but customers can submit expressions of interest.
  • Tri-Counties Bank: not accepting new applications right now, but customers can submit expressions of interest.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)
This is a COVID-19 emergency loan program delivered directly by the Small Business Administration to cover approximately six months worth of operating expenses during the crisis.


  • Remember! If you applied earlier but you don't have a confirmation # starting with "3" apply again.


North Coast SBDC Center Service Continuity
When will I get introduced to my business advisor?
As you can imagine, the Center experienced a surge of new and returning clients once the pandemic emergency really set in. We're welcoming 50 new clients a week since March 16th--not counting returning clients. Your SBDC team is determined to get everyone currently on the waiting list through the process and paired up. Our goal is to reduce pending requests for emergency COVID help to a 1-3 day turnaround by the end of the week. Non-emergency consulting requests will be assigned as soon as possible.
Stay Updated COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Small Business is updated daily or more: northcoastsbdc.org/covid19

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for your business  here and download the California SBDC's COVID-19 Survival Guide for Small Business here .

Sign up for the Small Business Emergency Response mailing list: surveymonkey.com/r/NorthCoastBizCOVID19

Get confidential layoff or closure help ... manage and support your employees during forced closures or layoffs emailing layoffhelp@northcoastsbdc.org or calling (707) 445-9720

Get confidential management or finance help ... figure out how to maximize income, reduce expenses, apply for disaster funding and more by signing up to speak with a business advisor at northcoastsbdc.org/apply
Is the Center headquarters open?
The office is closed BUT your North Coast SBDC team is working from home during our Shelter in Place order. Please call 707-445-9720 or email admin@northcoastsbdc.org instead. Visit the  North Coast SBDC Service Continuity Update page   to understand how we are handling your needs and questions.

Also, please be aware that staff are working at top intensity to respond to increased demand during the crisis so please start by accessing the resources above to see if we've already answered your question.

Is my workshop still running?
Probably. Most of our workshops through May are still on and are being offered virtually via Zoom. Register for the workshops you want to attend northcoastsbdc.org/calendar and we will send you login instructions. You'll need a computer, decent Internet speed, and ideally a separate phone. The workshops that require a high level of interaction and/or computer labs will be postponed.

Can I still meet with my business advisor?
Yes. Our advisors are independent contractors so we leave it up to you two to decide where and how to meet. Many of our advisors are prepared to meet with you by phone and/or videoconference to make sure you continue to get the help you need.

How do I use Zoom to access services virtually?
Zoom is the videoconferencing services we're using to deliver our workshops live. Most of our business advisors are also using to be in communication with you. It's flexible--can be used as a phone service, a videoconference service, to share views of what's on your computer so you can look at financial statements together, etc.

Please make sure that you have downloaded and installed the  Zoom program  on your computer in advance. It’s fairly fast and easy, but does take a few minutes.

And if this is your first time here is a short video tutorial on YouTube from Geeks on Tour: How do I join a Zoom meeting?
North Coast Small Business Development Center
Humboldt: (707) 445-9720 | Del Norte: (707) 464-2168
North Coast SBDC Learning Programs also generously funded by: