North Coast Small Business Pandemic Update 4/27
Paycheck Protection Program reopens today
If you were in the application queue with your local lender when the program halted, or if you now want to apply: CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IMMEDIATELY. The program may run out of loan guarantees again very quickly.

The PPP lender assistance hotline is (833) 572-0502

Program guidance and related information can be found at  www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection  or  www.treasury.gov/cares

The following new technical guidance from the SBA and the U.S. Treasury Department came out late Friday 4/24. Please discuss with your lender or business advisor:

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan still on hold
  • Online Disaster Loan Form has NOT reopened for new applications. No word on whether or when it will.
  • Applicants who have already submitted their applications are still being processed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) launches tomorrow
The PUA program will help unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. 
Webinars
Leadership in a Crisis (Surviving Together)
What does it look like to lead your team well during a crisis? Get leadership insight and practical tools to help manage and lead your team while working from home. Get your employment questions answered, and get ideas for how to keep your team productive during this time.
Art As A Business Program Info Session #1
Want to earn a (better) living as an artist or craftmaker? Sign up for an info session to learn more about this special program for artists on the North Coast to start and grow their business. This "Art as a Business" cohort learning program will run for three months in 2020. Visit https://www.northcoastsbdc.org/art for program details.
COVID Loan Briefings
Ask SBDC Resource Center from Northern California SBDC, plus M-W-F 10:30 am webinars
ASK SBDC is an initiative of the Northern California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s), and is part of our continued effort to do everything in our creative power to help your business overcome the challenges of the current economic crisis and prepare your business to reopen.
Small Business Majority & SBA co-host PPP & EIDL briefing today
Join Small Business Majority and the SBA for a free webinar to learn more about these programs, how to apply for EIDL and PPP loans and other resources that small business owners can take advantage of right now.
SBA briefings daily at 10 am
The  U.S. Small Business Administration  is running one-hour briefings for small businesses this week daily at 10 am.
CRISIS RESPONSE & RECOVERY JOBS
See Job Announcements below for North Coast SBDC, Humboldt Emergency Operations Center, the Small Business Administration and many local Humboldt & Del Norte employers.
North Coast SBDC is hiring!
Do you love our region's small businesses? Want to work where your gifts for keeping things organized and humming along will be celebrated? Join the North Coast SBDC team as our next Center Operations Coordinator. Competitive pay, great co-workers, (somewhat) flexible hours, important mission, professional advancement potential. Bilingual English-Spanish preferred. Help our community’s small businesses access the help they need to succeed.
Full time (32-40 hours/week) with full benefits. $35,000-$45,000 DOE, non-exempt. Download official position description & application instructions from HSU web site.
Humboldt & Del Norte County Employers are Still Hiring
Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center is Recruiting
Attention government and public agency employees:
The Humboldt Emergency Operations Center is recruiting Disaster Service Workers. Every assignment is considered “essential” for our community to appropriately and effectively respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic in Humboldt County. The EOC’s prefers to place current government employees (i.e. State, County, City, Academic, or other public agency employees) in these roles. If you are interested in signing up for an EOC assignment, please contact your supervisor before contacting the EOC. Contact Logistics – Staffing at 707-806-0694   with any questions about these jobs.
Social / General Relief Workers (6)
Under the Operations Section – Health & Welfare Branch. Will work out in the field with clients in the homeless population. Will provide peer leadership skills to clientele and provide general case management services.
·        Location:  Field Location, Eureka –  details will be provided upon assignment
·        Hours:  Shifts available 7 days per week. Shifts available include 8 am – 5 pm, 4 pm – 12 am and weekends/on-call.
·        Start Date:  Earliest date available
·        Schedule:  Full-time or part-time (20+ hours per week)
·        Required experience:  Experience providing general case management services. Good organizational experience and documentation required.
·        Preferred experience:  Experience in Social Work and/or working with clientele in the homeless population is strongly preferred.
·        Other:  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Assignees will be encouraged to maintain 6 feet of social distancing whenever possible.
 
Alternate Care Site Unit Leader (1) 
Under the Logistics Section – Alternate Care Site Unit. The unit manages resource requests of supplies and equipment specific to any Alternate Care Sites (ACS) for hospital patient overflow. The unit procures and coordinates delivery of approved resources, such as supplies and medical equipment. Will serve as lead to Alternate Care Site Unit to two other support staff members.
·        Location:  Emergency Operations Center, Eureka –  details will be provided upon assignment
·        Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 am to 8 pm (most shifts end after 8 hours as long as urgent items have been addressed)
·        Start Date:  Earliest date available
·        Schedule:  Full-time
·        Required experience:  Will be a task manager for the unit requiring strong communication skills; good attention to detail and strong organizational skills; prior administrative/clerical experience.
·        Preferred experience:  Familiarity with medical terminology is helpful.
 
Facility Support Workers (5)
Under the Logistics Section – Facilities Unit. Duties may include transporting and lifting equipment/supplies, minor repairs, monitoring and attending generators, and other building maintenance tasks. Will be assisting in the assembly and maintenance of an Alternate Care Site facility for local hospital patient overflow.
·        Location:  Alternate Care Site Facility, Eureka –  details will be provided upon assignment
·        Hours:  Shifts available 7 days per week; Most shifts start at 8 am, hours may vary by assignment
·        Start Date:  Earliest date available
·        Schedule:  Full-time
·        Required experience:  Valid US Driver’s license required.
·        Preferred experience:  Construction, building maintenance, mechanic/small engine experience, or similar experience strongly preferred.
·        Other:  May be required to lift up to 100 lbs.
 
Ordering Unit Support (1)
Under the Logistics Section – Ordering Unit. Will work in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) assisting with receiving and tracking ordering requests. Will track all requests received and work with other sections in the EOC to ensure all documentation is clear and complete.
·        Location:  Emergency Operations Center, Eureka –  details will be provided upon assignment
·        Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 am to 8 pm (most shifts end after 8 hours as long as urgent items have been addressed)
·        Start Date:  Earliest date available
·        Schedule:  Full-time
·        Required experience:  N/A
·        Preferred experience:  Strong communication skills and general administrative experience preferred, including good attention to detail.
 
Food Distribution Support (1)
Under the Operations Section – Homeless Outreach Unit. May work out in the field with clients in the homeless population. Will assist with distributing food to clientele at a food distribution center. Tasks may include preparing orders for delivery to multiple sites; building premade bags of perishable and nonperishable food items for multiple programs; breaking down shipments of produce into crates.
·        Location:  Distribution Center, Eureka –  details will be provided upon assignment
·        Hours:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 11 am – 3 pm
·        Start Date:  Earliest date available
·        Schedule:  Part-time
·        Required experience:  N/A
·        Preferred experience:  Experience working with clientele in the homeless population is preferred.
·        Other:  Will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer. Will be able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. May be required to lift up to 30 lbs.
SBA briefings daily at 10 am
The  U.S. Small Business Administration  is running one-hour briefings for small businesses this week daily at 10 am.
By the Numbers
Take Other Action:
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. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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: