Information Updates For February 22, 2021

Upcoming Events and Webinars

Webinar: Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC): Step by Step instructions with a CPA

Host: NFIB

Date: February 24, 2021, at 12PM

Panelists: Elizabeth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, Legal Foundation, NFIB, Holly Wade Executive Director, NFIB Research Center, Matt Evans, CPA, CMA, CFM

NEW updates for Monday, February 22, 2021

The Office of Entrepreneurial Development has shared the latest changes to the SBA’s PPP lending program. Those changes include:

Instituting a 14-day period, starting Wednesday, during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for relief through the Program.
Helping sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals receive more financial support.
Consistent with a bipartisan bill, eliminating an exclusionary restriction that prevents small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions from obtaining relief through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Eliminating an exclusionary restriction that prevents small business owners who are delinquent on their federal student loans from obtaining relief through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Ensuring access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to apply for relief.
Addressing waste, fraud, and abuse across all federal programs. Unlike the previous round of the PPP, loan guaranty approval is now contingent on passing SBA fraud checks, Treasury's Do Not Pay database, and public records.
Promoting transparency and accountability by improving the PPP loan application.
Improving the Emergency Relief Digital Front Door.
Continuing to conduct extensive stakeholder outreach to learn more about challenges and opportunities in the implementation of current emergency relief programs.
Enhancing the current lender engagement model.

A factsheet on these updates can be found HERE.

COVID resources for your organization

Business Resources:

NYS Small Business Development Center has published a list of micro-grant and micro-loan programs for pandemic relief. View it HERE.
The U.S. Small Business Association has created a streamlined webpage of federal resources which you can find HERE. It includes:
Funding options
Tax credits and tax filing help
Contracting assistance
And more!
2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2020 NYS Community Development Block Grant Program competitive application for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility and Community Planning projects and open round application for Economic Development and Microenterprise activities.
CDBG Public Facility, Public Infrastructure and Community Planning Application materials are available now. Applications for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility and Community Planning projects will be accepted until 4:00 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021.
CDBG Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise Application materials are available now. Applications for Open Round Economic Development and Microenterprise applications will be accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards.
$17 Million in Funding Available for New York Communities' Climate Goals
NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program Can Help You Reach Your Community’s Climate Goals
Learn more about how the program works or connect with your Clean Energy Community Coordinator to get started
Find a Coordinator here

Funding Assistance:

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus Relief
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
First Draw PPP Loans for first-time program participants.
Second Draw PPP Loans beginning January 13, 2021, for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund offers reimbursement grants for up to $5,000 to eligible businesses
NY Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) provides flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses, not-for-profits, and small residential landlords.
Central Hudson’s Back to Business funding program has committed up to $1 million in economic development support to provide local small businesses with grants to help pay down new working capital loans taken with participating local banks.
ESD COVID-19 Business Resources
NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA) COVID-19 Relief Funds and Business Support
Pursuit Lending COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
Community Capital of New York COVID-19 Resource Page: Community Capital New York is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Kiva Lending
New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) ReCharge NY Program
Funding for Infrastructure Projects that Protect or Improve Water Quality – Applications due by 4:00PM on Friday, February 12, 2021
Community Development Block Grant
Applications for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility, and Community Planning projects accepted until 4:00 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Applications for Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards.
Federal Grants

Technical Assistance for Businesses:

Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center: Serving Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster Counties
Rockland Small Business Development Center: Serving Putnam, Rockland, Westchester Counties
Women’s Enterprise Development Center COVID-19 resources
COVID-19 Business Mentor NY Volunteer Task Force: New York State has partnered with business leaders to create a dedicated group of volunteers across different NYS industries – from law firms to financial professionals – to assist business owners with questions related to the impact of COVID-19.
Empire State Digital: Connects New York-based small businesses with the education, access, and resources needed to digitize, expand and adapt to the new economy due to the changes from COVID-19.
New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership: The initiative provides commercial tenants and small business landlords with pro bono legal services, and the information needed to reach a mutually agreeable lease renegotiation.
SBA’s Ascent: Free learning platform for women entrepreneurs
Fuzehub: Resources for NYS Manufacturers
Business Express: Your Guide to Doing Business in New York State

Resources for Employers/Employees:

A "Return To Work Waiver" for businesses to use for both employees who have tested positive and those who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive can be found HERE.
Dutchess Business Notification Network Buy Local PPE Supplier List
NY State of Health: Shop here to see what health insurance options are available to you, your family, and your business
Child Care: Parents in need of free child care resources and referrals are encouraged to visit www.HVChildCare.org, where they can enter their zip code to immediately find the name and contact information of the agency that serves their location.
U.S. Department of Labor Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Tool
NYS DOL FAQ for Employers with COVID-19 related Questions
New York State Jobs Express: Employers with job openings can post their open positions, and individuals looking for employment can search for opportunities on the NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website.
NYS Office of General Services: Guidance on Doing Business with New York State
Thomas COVID-19 Response Supplier program: If You Can Help Supply Critical PPE Products, Sign Up HERE.
NYS DOL Shared Work Program: New York State’s DOL Shared Work Program helps businesses manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.
IRS FAQs for COVID-19 Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses

Resources for Individuals:

NYS COVID Rent Relief Program: Applications open 12/18/2020 – 2/1/2021
New Tool to Help New Yorkers Access Critical Social Service Benefits Here
For Job Seekers:
NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website
SUNY Online Training Center – free skill-building, college prep, and employment certification programs with one-on-one career coaching
Free Online Platform for New Yorkers to Learn New Job Skills, Earn Certificates & Advance Their Careers: Create a free account with Coursera HERE