Updates to Federal Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans & Relief Programs
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On February 23rd, The White House announced several measures to ensure the smallest firms have access to Paycheck Protection Program loans. The current round of funding expires on March 31.
Specifically, the White House said that the Small Business Administration would:
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Provide an exclusive application window through Tuesday, March 9, with only businesses with fewer than 20 employees eligible to apply.
- Set aside $1 billion for PPP loans for sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals in low-to-moderate-income areas and revise the loan calculation formula for these applicants. (According to press reports, the revised formula would only be available to new applicants, not retroactive.)
- Eliminate a rule restricting businesses at least 20 percent owned by an individual who was arrested for or convicted of a felony related to financial assistance fraud in the previous five years or any other felony within the previous year; the restriction will only apply to businesses with applicants or owners who are incarcerated from receiving PPP loans.
- Eliminate a rule restricting businesses at least 20 percent owned by an individual who is delinquent on student debt from receiving PPP loans.
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Clarify that non-citizens may apply using individual taxpayer identification numbers.
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Annual Business License Renewal
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It's that time of year! Business Licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year so it's time to renew for 2021. You can renew online or in-person. In-person renewals require making an appointment. If you have questions about this process, contact [email protected] or call 770-206-2075.
As a courtesy, the City extends a 90-day grace period making the deadline for renewal March 31. Failure to renew prior to 03/31/21 will result in a one-time 10 percent penalty.
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Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Meeting
The Sandy Springs Diversity and Inclusion Task Force will meet March 9, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually - connect through this zoom link. Please use this link for the agenda. Reinforcing the City’s commitment to being an inclusive city, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul named members to the Sandy Springs Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (Task Force) during the February 2 meeting of the Sandy Springs City Council. The Task Force will assist the City Council in its efforts to promote inclusivity in Sandy Springs.
Trails Master Plan Public Open House
The City will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m., to provide the community with an update of the City’s Trails Master Plan. The meeting will include information on trail design, trail alignment, and an implementation timeline. Registration is online at this link.
City of Sandy Springs Adopts Green Infrastructure Feasibility Policy The new policy applies to all projects subject to Sec. 9.6.3 of the Development Code, specifically development that creates new impervious surfaces of 1,000 square feet or more and/or disturbs 5,000 square feet or more land. Under the new policy, a Feasibility Analysis will be required on each project to determine if the implementation of green infrastructure is deemed feasible.
Sandy Springs City Council Awards COVID Financial Assistance for Four Non-Profit Organizations The Sandy Springs City Council approved awarding four nonprofit organizations $175,000 in financial assistance to aid in their efforts to support Sandy Springs residents negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Temple Emanu-El, Solidarity Sandy Springs, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, Inc., and Community Assistance Center will receive grants as part of this program. The program requires that nonprofit programs provide services directly related to issues caused by COVID-19, with a focus on assisting low to moderate-income populations.
City of Sandy Springs Aids Local Businesses Through COVID Small Business Relief Assistance Program An estimated 160 local businesses in Sandy Springs received financial aid as part of the City’s SBRA Program, including contributions by the Sandy Springs Development Authority. The program targeted Sandy Springs businesses with 99 or fewer employees. “Our small businesses are the heart of our community and economy. This relief program is an investment to help ensure our local business owners have the resources they need to keep going,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul.
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Partnership for Inclusive Innovation:
Pilot Program Applications Due Soon
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Under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, board chair G.P. Bud Peterson and executive director Debra Lam, the organization guides efforts and pilot programs to help foster access, growth, entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the state, with the ultimate goal of achieving inclusive innovation throughout Georgia. The organization aspires to define Georgia’s entrepreneurial identity as a national leader in technology research, development and implementation.
The Partnership is currently accepting applications for its Pilot Program. Learn more about the organization here. You can find application materials here.
Application Due: Monday, March 8, 2021, by 11:59 p.m.
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WorkSource Business Grant Training Program
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The pandemic has changed how we work, learn and interact as social distancing guidelines have led to a more virtual existence, both personally and professionally. With that in mind, WorkSource Fulton in conjunction with Select Fulton, have developed a reimbursable workforce training program for businesses in Fulton County. The goal is to help you get your employees back to work as quickly as possible by providing a training reimbursement program.
The program can match employer investment in covering the costs to upskill and train workforce. This can include but is not limited to reimbursement for tuition fees, instructor fees, training course materials, and training space.
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In order to qualify for workforce training reimbursement, businesses must meet the following requirements:
- Business must operate in Fulton County
- 50% of employees trained must have been employed with the company for at least six months
- Company must be in good standing with the IRS
- Company is responsible for up to half of the total costs of training
Learn more and apply here.
For more information contact Brett Lacy, Workforce Division Manager.
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Business & Networking Events
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SSPC Women's Business Network - Connecting the Community: The Road to Recovery
Tuesday, March 9 - 11:30AM-1:00PM
Members $15 / Non-Members $20
*Both registration types include a $15 Uber Eats voucher
Join this virtual event from the Women's Business Network to meet members of the Chamber, City Officials, Executives of non-profits, and business leaders of Sandy Springs.
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SSPC Young Professionals Network: Business by the Barrel Bourbon Tasting
Tuesday, March 16 - 5:30PM-7:30PM
$25 Registration - includes bourbon flight and lite bites
Location: Thos. O'Reilly's Public House
227 Sandy Springs Place, Suite 416
Join the Sandy Springs Young Professionals Network for a Tullamore Dew-led bourbon tasting featuring five expressions from their line while networking with other young professionals.
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The Power of People with Disabilities as Consumers and Employees
Wednesday, March 17 - 9:00AM-10:00AM
Join the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Opportunity ATL for a discussion on how to include people with disabilities in your business practices. The Educational Leadership Institute will share about the positive impact of intentionally building consumer relationships with the disability community. Leaders from the Bobby Dodd Institute will review the tax credits available to employers who hire people with disabilities, and how they work with employers to find work opportunities for people with disabilities.
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SSPC Virtual Networking Power Hour
Wednesday, March 24 - 9:00AM-10:00AM
This morning mixer is the boost you need to get hit the ground running with fresh leads with friends, both new and old. Attendees will network and learn more about fellow attendees and how their businesses may best complement each other. During the event, attendees use their 1 minute "elevator pitch" to describe their business to everyone on the Zoom video conference. Afterward, the contact information of everyone logged into the event will be shared with all attendees for network strengthening purposes.
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SSPC Annual Golf Invitational
Monday, April 19 - All Day
Join the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber for their Annual Golf Invitational at White Columns Country Club.
This event offers an excellent opportunity to get to know your local businesses in Sandy Springs and Perimeter Area while enjoying the fresh air and friendly competition on the greens safely. Golfers will enjoy a fun-filled afternoon complete with golf, networking, special contests, and great food all while social distancing in the fresh air. Join as a sponsor or golfer. You do not have to be a Chamber Member to participate.
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Executive Orders Extended
Governor Brian Kemp has extended the Public Health State of Emergency and the Empowering a Healthy Georgia Executive Order until April 6, 2021. He amended his Empowering a Healthy Georgia Executive Order, updating the quarantine protocol to reflect the CDC's guidance regarding individuals who have been fully vaccinated. The Order also clarifies that entities can be considered both a "live performance venue" and "bar" and should adhere to the guidance for bars as laid out in the Order. The Orders can be found on the City's website.
You can locate a free testing site through the Fulton County Board of Health by calling 404.613.8150 or visiting their COVID-19 testing website.
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Vaccine Update
In a news conference on Feb. 25, 2021, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expanded the criteria for eligibility. Beginning March 8, the following categories of individuals will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine:
- Pre-K through 12 educators and staff
- Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers
- Parents of children with complex medical conditions
- People ages 65 and older
- Health care workers
- Law enforcement and fire personnel
- Long-term care facilities residents and their caregivers
To avoid confusion, the state is no longer using a "Phase” category system. The Georgia Department of Public Health will list those eligible as they announce continued expansion.
Everyone who wants to receive a COVID vaccine is encouraged to sign up on the state’s vaccine portal at myvaccinegeorgia.com. While your eligibility may come at a later date, you can pre-register in the system.
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Has lunch become an endless stream of reheated leftovers, PB&J, and canned soup? Your office may be your living room, but you can still add a little excitement to your midday meal and support your local restaurants in the process. Whether you're ordering delivery for a virtual lunch meeting, or picking up something for a picnic at the park, we’ve made it a little easier to decide by compiling this list of restaurants who are currently open for lunch in Sandy Springs. So, give your fridge a break, and #Let’sDoLunch!
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Your Business, Moving Forward
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Your Economic Development Team
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We are here and ready to assist you however we can. We know each business has its own unique circumstances and challenges during this time, and we stand ready to do all we can to help you navigate this uncertain time. Please let us know how we can help!
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Economic Development Specialist
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This newsletter is prepared by the City of Sandy Springs. You can learn more about the City on our website at sandyspringsga.gov. You can also telephone our Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 770-730-5600.
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