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.

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Small Business Relief Funds Still Available: The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC) still has funds available for small businesses via the COVID-19 Relief Revolving Loan Fund. NWGRC can help by providing low-cost financing of up to $50,000 for small businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Get started by reaching out to the Loan Programs Officer, Jennifer Whorton, at 706-295-6485 to determine eligibility.

Economic Impact Payments - 2nd Round: The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department will began delivering a second round of Economic Impact Payments as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans who received the first round of payments earlier this year. The IRS emphasizes that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. More information.

Conference Calls & Webinars:

View the Webinar Calendar for upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

Regions Bank Entrepreneurship Academy: The UGA SBDC is introducing this new series of four educational webinars that will be offered at no cost to business owners around the state thanks to Regions Bank. These webinars will instruct on how to grow your business and incorporate new processes to improve efficiency with sessions that cover Building a Plan, Marketing, Digital Marketing, and Funding. The series will repeat each month. Learn more or register.

Chattahoochee Technical College: Chattahoochee Technical College, in an effort to support our communities, business and industry, and individuals in this time of need, is offering free access to several self-paced online courses that encompass a variety of topics useful in any work environment, such as soft skills, customer service, emotional intelligence, job search skills, time management, and more.

Local Business Resources:

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

Aire-Master: Offering a Hand Sanitizer dispenser service for $10 a service every 4 weeks. They also sell 64oz bottles with a pump by the case and have them in stock currently. Call 770-386-7822 for details.

Cartersville Medical Center: Protecting Your Business & Workforce Flyer

Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG): ECG's Office of Economic & Community Development has assembled a list of current grants and funding opportunities that may be helpful to local businesses.

Georgia Tech's Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership: Useful information to help manufacturers manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

Georgia's Corporate Generosity Tracker: goBeyondProfit has compiled a list of businesses' exceptional responses to the pandemic to showcase these companies' sustained generosity. If you know of any business that should be added to the list, you may send an email to goBeyondProfit.

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC): Micro-loan funds are available from the NWGRC to aid in efforts to alleviate the sudden and severe economic dislocation of the region’s small businesses and to seek significant improvement in employment in the region caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Learn more or contact Jennifer Whorton.

Reach Technologies: Reach Technologies has N95 masks, forehead thermometers, disposable gloves, and other supplies available. Learn more.

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 an overview of SBA emergency loans and regional webinar information.

Starr-Mathews: Starr-Mathews has assembled a General Checklist and an Insurance Checklist along with a Guide to Creating a Return to Work Action Plan to help businesses prepare for re-opening to the public.

Stratus Building Solutions: Stratus is providing cleaning and disinfecting services to aid in flattening the much discussed "COVID-19 curve." Find more information on their Facebook page or call 678-427-5751.

West End Pharmacy: West End Pharmacy is making their own hand sanitizer: 4 oz bottles available for $5.99.

State and Federal Business Resources:

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

CDC:

• General COVID-19 Information
• COVID-19 Handouts & Printable Posters

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA):

• Six Cybersecurity Essentials for Business
• Additional CISA Resources

Georgia Commute Options: GCO has developed a Quick Start Telework Guide and hosted a three-part webinar series offering practical guidance on how companies can maximize productivity and decrease employee stress while navigating responses to COVID-19.

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

Georgia Department of Labor:

• Update on Federal Stimulus Bill (including LWA/FPUC/PEUC/PUA) (12/28/20): View update.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Detailed information is available here.
• Unemployment: View article and updated filing instructions.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of Paid Leave Provisions

Georgia Department of Public Health: Includes information about COVID-19, industry guidance, and additional COVID-19 resources and guidelines.

Governor Brian P. Kemp, Office of the Governor: Georgia Safety Promise is a statewide campaign from the Governor’s Office and the Georgia Department of Health that encourages businesses and the public to agree to simple, but critical, measures that will keep Georgians safe from COVID-19, minimize spread of the virus, and keep Georgia open for business.

IRS:

• Coronavirus Tax Relief
• People First Initiative

President Trump, The White House: Includes resources, updates, and what you should know about the Coronavirus.

SBA: Disaster Loan Assistance

U.S. Chamber:

• Independent Contractor's Guide to CARES Act Relief
• Guide to Coronavirus Paid Leave Programs
• Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide
• Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide
• Coronavirus Response Toolkit for Businesses

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

U.S. Department of Justice: U.S. Attorney urges the public to report suspected COVID-19 fraud.

U.S. Department of Treasury:

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Includes an overview of the program, FAQ, and more information and applications for lenders and borrowers.
• PPP Loan Forgiveness Guide: Courtesy of the U.S. Chamber.

Press Releases:

Georgia Department of Human Services: Office Protocols

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

How Can I Help:

Download your checklist to start helping the community!

• Shop local online - View the Chamber directory for Shopping & Specialty Retail
• Purchase gift cards now to use later
• Call in orders for takeout or delivery - View the Chamber directory for Restaurants, Food & Beverages
• 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