COVID-19 Update - as of April 24
Dear Friends,
Here is our office’s weekly newsletter. There is some good news. As expected the House approved an additional $485B in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). I will get into more details with this below. This week’s email will have info on:

1)   Update on Stimulus Fund Status
2)   Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
3)   Business Videos
4)   Cut for a Cause
5)   Health Care Heroes
6)   Back to Work Plan Resource for Barber Shops, Salons or Spas
7)   Survey
8)   Zoom Meeting – Thursday 10am
1) Stimulus Funds

As mentioned, there is good news when it comes to stimulus funds. The second round of PPP funds are available. Bad news, most of these monies are allocated to business owners who already applied for the first round. So apply, apply, apply!

Several business owners who have successfully submitted a PPP application recommend TD Bank in Cranford. Please reach out to the bank manager Carmen Cerreto ASAP for more information. His number is 908-653-1059 and email is [email protected] . As of now, the online application on TD Bank’s site is not available, but please keep refreshing as it should be online soon.

Bill Tipton, who is a member of Cranford’s Chamber of Commerce, can also assist. He works with Heartland Capital. He can be reached at [email protected]

Other non-traditional bank options to apply for PPP loans
2) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program

If you are a self-employed business owner, then apply for unemployment. You may be eligible for PUA. First step is to apply for unemployment. Even if you are denied, potential new regulations if approved can make you eligible under the PUA. If you are eligible, the Division of Unemployment Insurance will notify you when your PUA is ready to be implemented. Here is a FAQ for PUA.
3) Business Owner Videos – Cinco de Mayo & Mother’s Day

Videos have the most exposure on social media. So with Mother’s Day coming up, please take a video showing what merchandise you are selling, what you are cooking, or what virtual services you offer. Also mention the best way for customers to contact you and purchase the items. We will help edit for you and if you need assistance taking the video we can help. Please email the videos to [email protected]
4) Cut for a Cause

All of our businesses have been impacted significantly. The barber, beauty, nail salons, and spas have been severely impacted because of the mandatory closures. The Cut for a Cause Campaign is for the community to purchase gift cards that will be donated to Cranford Family Care. The community will purchase gift cards from the businesses directly and then our office will deliver. We will post this next week. If you have not gotten back to us if you have gift cards and how to purchase please let us know ASAP. FYI, gift cards can now be created on Instagram.
5) Health Care Heroes

The three Cranford Nursing Homes have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus. The workers and residents of the nursing homes need a reminder from the community that our thoughts are with them. We have coordinated with the retail/shops of Cranford to create either a $10 or $20 care package that can be purchased from the store. We will deliver the care packages at the end of the month.
6) Back to Work Plan

What is the new normal? Is there one? Small business operations will have to be adjusted with social distancing guidelines and other health measures. Here is a good resource from Barbicide that provides a plan of action for going back to work for salons, spas and shops. Here is link .  
7) Survey

Thank you to those who completed the survey. It only takes five minutes and provides necessary feedback on what we can do to assist and information to help local government understand the impacts our small businesses are facing. Here is the link for survey .
8) Zoom Meeting
We will have our weekly Zoom meeting every Thursday at 10am. Please keep an eye on your inbox for the log-in information.


Please reach out to us at any time if there is any way we can assist you during this time.

Best,
Downtown Cranford Office