COVID-19: Community Information and Updates

Please understand every effort has been made to ensure the information on this web page is accurate. This page will be updated as new information is made available.

Trending Now:

Georgia Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility: The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Governor Brian Kemp announced the state expanded its vaccine eligibility on March 15, 2021, to include adults aged 55 and older, individuals with disabilities and certain medical conditions. View the full press release for more information.

Updated PPP Guidance for Sole Proprietors: In alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to delivering equitable relief to hard-hit small businesses so they can rehire and retain workers, safely reopen, and deliver the essential goods and services that our communities depend on and SBA’s Feb. 22 news release, an Interim Final Rule and updated forms (First Draw application and Second Draw application) have been posted addressing the PPP changes. The deadline for PPP Applications has been extended to May 31, 2021.

Mass Vaccination Sites Opened March 17: Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency opened five additional Mass Vaccination Sites for COVID-19 on March 17, throughout the state, with one located in Emerson. The sites will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read the full press release.

Business Resources:

Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG): Grants, Loans, and Other Assistance Programs

Georgia Commute Options: Quick Start Telework Guide

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDED): Georgia PPE Suppliers

Georgia Department of Labor: Latest Updates on Employment/Unemployment Assistance

Georgia Tech's Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership: Resources for Manufacturers

Governor Brian P. Kemp, Office of the Governor: Georgia Safety Promise

IRS: Coronavirus Tax Relief

SCORE: SCORE provides free remote mentoring, low cost educational online workshops, and numerous downloadable tools to help small businesses. Visit their website or email our local representative, Sudhir Hublikar, to learn more.

SBA: Disaster Assistance Loans

Small Business Development Center: Offering one-on-one counseling services for small businesses at no cost to help with tactical plans, cash flow issues, and more. Visit this page to view upcoming webinars and useful information.

U.S. Chamber: View the Combating Coronavirus page for business resources including guides for applying to assistance programs.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

U.S. Department of Treasury: View the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) page for an overview of the program, FAQ, and more information and applications for lenders and borrowers. A PPP Loan Forgiveness Guide is also available, courtesy of the U.S. Chamber.

Webinars: View the Webinar Calendar for upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars. Chattahoochee Technical College is also offering free access to several self-paced online courses on topics useful in any work environment.

Health Information:

State COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 442-2681

Cartersville Medical Center: Protecting Your Business & Workforce Flyer

CDC:

• General COVID-19 Information
• COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker & Long-Term Care Program Module
   

COVID Act Now Risk & Vaccine Tracker: View real-time data on new cases, infection rate, vaccination rate, and more for Bartow County as well as states and counties around the nation.

Food Pantry and Emergency Resources: Thank you to Heritage Baptist Church for compiling this information.

Georgia Department of Public Health: COVID-19 resources and guidelines

• COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Toolkit: This toolkit contains posters, a fact sheet, FAQs, CDC stickers, the vaccine distribution infographic, and presentation materials. You can also find the latest version of the Georgia Vaccine Plan and detailed vaccine safety information on the DPH website. Courtesy of the Georgia Chamber.
   

Highland Rivers Health: Mental Health and Family Coping Strategies During Coronavirus Outbreak

How Can I Help:

• Shop local online - View the Chamber directory
• Purchase gift cards now to use later
• Donate to local non-profits or charitable funds, such as the COVID-19 Response Fund by the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia or by United Way of Bartow County
• Check out FEMA's recommendations for helping with donations, volunteering, and the private sector
• Understand the hard decisions with closings and/or cancellations
• See if your company can assist the state healthcare system
• Donate convalescent plasma if you have tested positive and have recovered from COVID-19