Enid Response and Recovery to COVID-19
4.15.20
‌
Greetings!

The shut-down caused by COVID-19 is a disrupter that has made everyone step up their game and find new ways to reach customers. The creativity, perseverance, and experience in re-thinking how to sell products and services will have lasting effects on our economy.

Businesses that have never had to advertise, are now understanding how promotion can bring in new revenue. Retailers are learning how to promote, sell and distribute their products from an online platform. New customer service options can be found everywhere with curb side, delivery and online ordering.

I am certain that Enid businesses are poised to come out of this stronger than ever. Let’s keep each other safe, take care of our employees, and stay focused on the long-term. Email me if you have questions or concerns about how to move your company through this challenging time – there are people here to help. 

RESOURCES
Small Business & Entrepreneur Meet Up
ERDA, Main Street Enid, and Autry Technology will be hosting meet up video calls for small business owners and entrepreneurs twice a week. These calls are intended to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 and innovative business strategies.

Wednesday, April 15 - 9am
SBA Loans Keith Schwandt - InterBank

Friday, April 17 - 9am
Elizabeth Nicholas - Wordy Girl Creative Media, LLC

Please RSVP to [email protected] to recieve login information.
Oklahoma Manufacturing Reboot Program
The Oklahoma Manufacturing Reboot Program was created to address the negative effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Oklahoma businesses, specifically manufacturers. This program utilizes up to $5 million from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund to assist existing Oklahoma manufacturers as they retool to develop new products and/or expand current capabilities.

Talent Exchange
The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development is working closely with the Oklahoma Grocers Association, Oklahoma Retail Association, and Oklahoma Hospitality and Restaurant Associations to try and match out-of-work Oklahomans with industries who need employees to fill current job openings. Many grocers and retail employers in areas across the state are actively hiring and need to fill positions immediately. This effort will quickly connect job-seekers to employers who need new workers right now.

If you would like to be considered for an immediate position, please complete the requested Job Seeker Information. Your contact information will be shared with employers in your specific area who have immediate hiring needs.
If you are an employer interested in having your job openings featured and directly receiving jobseeker information, complete the requested Employer Information or contact [email protected].

USDA Resources

The USDA has released a resource guide for rural communities to provide information on immediate and long-term assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Information includes:
  • technical, training, and management assistance;
  • financial assistance
  • state and local assistance.
Gift Card Giveaway

The Enid Regional Development Alliance (ERDA) is partnering with Main Street Enid to increase small business shopping through a gift card giveaway. Once a week, there will be a drawing for a $100 gift card from a downtown Main Street Enid partner of the winner's choice. To enter, make a purchase of $20 or more from ANY small business in Enid, retail or restaurant, and send your proof of purchase to  [email protected] . Entries will be doubled if you purchase from a downtown small business. Drawings will take place every Friday starting April 10th and ending on May 29th. For updates and winner announcements, follow Enid Regional Development Alliance on Facebook or Main Street Enid on Facebook and Instagram.

Congratulations to Sara Habibi for winning the first giveaway!
Scammers are using the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) name to con small businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis through phone calls, emails, text messages and letters.

Please note:
·    If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud. 
·    Emails from SBA or other legitimate government agencies will always end in .gov.
·    There is no cost to apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and SBA will never ask you to provide a credit card.
·    Do not release any private information (social security number, date of birth, etc.) or banking information in response to an unsolicited caller, letter, email, or text.
·    If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with your application number.
·    An SBA logo on an email or webpage does not guarantee the information is accurate or from the SBA.
·    Check for spelling and grammatical errors in an email and be wary of clicking on any links or attachments.
·    For help with applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, call 800-659-2955 or email  [email protected] . You can also use a text telephone (TTY) by calling 1-800-877-8339.
·    For inquiries regarding support for small businesses, send an email to  [email protected]
·     Visit [lnks.gd]  the Small Business Cybersecurity site to learn more about small Business Cybersecurity tips, common threats, training, and best practices.  https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/small-business-cybersecurity [lnks.gd]
·     Visit [lnks.gd]  the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure site for small business resources.  https://w.gov/publication/stopthinkconnect-small-business-resources [lnks.gd]
·    Trust your instincts! If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.


Small Business Assistance
In response to this pandemic, ERDA has partnered with Autry Technology Center, the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, and REI Oklahoma to serve as a resource to our business partners during this COVID-19 crisis. Although this partnership is not affiliated with the Small Business Administration, our goal continues to be to support our community businesses by providing resources and assistance.