banner

COVID-19 Resources

Small Business Financial Assistance

 

On June 8, 2020, the Chamber and Mobile County Commission announced their work on a Mobile County Small Business Relief Fund Program for small business owners. The funding effort, spearheaded by Mobile County Commissioner is a collaborative initiative to provide up to $25,000 in funding to small businesses in Mobile County experiencing extreme hardships as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, based on need. Information and qualifications for the program can be found here: https://mobilechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Guidelines-Mobile-County-SBRFP.pdf.

To apply, click here. https://forms.gle/aWEtKfyRnia5myNy5

 

 

The US Department of Treasury this week released FAQs for the Paycheck Protection Program, expected to reopen any day now. It’s a good resource of information if you are just now looking at applying for this loan program.  https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Frequently-Asked-Questions_05%2013%2020_2.pdf

 

According to the Alabama Small Business Development Center, the Small Buisness Administration (SBA) has released a Loan Forgiveness Application designed to educate borrowers on how to apply for PPP loan forgiveness. The application includes a worksheet that details how to calculate the amount of the loan that can be forgiven and provides a summary of costs eligible for forgiveness. The SBA also provided a list of documents borrowers have to submit with their forgiveness applications.

 

Latest Local Resources:

 

Are tax credits available for employers?
The CARES Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. The refundable credit is applied against the employer portion of payroll taxes. According the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Treasury Department will develop a process for employers to receive an advance payment of the tax credit, with the Internal Revenue Service issuing further guidance. Click here for more information.

 

The U.S. Department of Treasury uploaded its latest documents and information for business owners planning to files for the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program, expected to open for filing on Friday, April 3. Below the most up-to-date documents:

Overview of the PPP

Information for PPP Borrowers

Application for PPP Borrowers

Find an Eligible Lender for Paycheck Protection Program – https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find

 

Since late March, the Mobile Area Chamber has hosted daily calls on timely topics impacting business owners, managers, sales teams and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sessions are 30 minutes in length and have all been recorded, so you can go back and listen at your leisure. Topics include: paycheck protection program, hiring, unemployment resources, updates from the school system, maintaining your mental health and more. Click here to see all the calls and their topics.
Financing Your Business

Perhaps one of the most challenging issues facing business owners is finding the financial resources they need. Your Mobile Area Chamber maintains strong relationships with area lenders, including traditional commercial banks, credit unions, micro lenders, angel investors and alternative financial resources. We can help you understand your capital needs and develop a plan before approaching a lender to help you put your best foot forward. If your business needs money to start or grow, whether it is working capital, inventory, equipment or expansion we can help you find the right avenue for your financing needs.

 

Traditional Financing

Click here for a list of Chamber member banks, credit unions and lenders

 

Non-Traditional Financing

Alabama Small Business Capital

Community Enterprise Investments Inc.

Downtown Mobile Alliance

LiftFund

South AL Regional Planning Commission

Southern Development Council

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Capital Investment Companies

Central Gulf Coast Private Investor Network

Browning, Mecke & O’Neal

 

Government Loan Programs

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

U.S. Department of Agriculture
https://www.usda.gov/topics/farming/grants-and-loans

Department of Commerce – EDA Revolving Loan Program 

Department of Treasury

GovLoans.gov
https://www.govloans.gov/loans/loan-finder

U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Credit Challenges

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mobile

https://www.lifelinesmobile.org/solutions/credit-counseling

 

Disaster Loans

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Program
https://www.usda.gov/topics/disaster

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

 

The Truth About Grants

U.S. Small Business Administration
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants

Government Grants

State

 

Alabama Will Waive Employer Charges For COVID-19 Related Claims When Employers File Unemployment Claims Employees

Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) Secretary Fitzgerald Washington temporarily ordered relief be offered to employers whose employees must file unemployment compensation claims for weeks filed due to COVID-19 related issues. All charges will be waived against those employers who file partial unemployment compensation claims on behalf of their employees. These charges will be waived until further notice. ADOL is encouraging all employers who can file on their employees’ behalf to do so.

 

Alabama Department of Revenue Extends Relief to Small Businesses

Effective immediately, the Alabama Department of Revenue is extending relief to small retail businesses that are unable to timely pay their February, March and April sales tax liabilities.

 

Federal

 

SBA Loan Program For Up To $2 Million For Qualifying Businesses And Non-Profits

Gov. Kay Ivey announced small businesses across Alabama negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic are eligible for assistance under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

The program will help qualified businesses and nonprofit organizations recover from economic losses tied to the abrupt downturn triggered by the COVID-19 disease.

 

Contact Information

The Mobile Area Chamber has resumed regular office hours, Monday through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guidelines are still in place to follow the Alabama State Health Officer’s guidelines of social distancing and limited occupancy of our meeting rooms to no more than 50 percent. Find the directory to reach us here.