Dearborn County COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID 19 Business Resources

 

ONE DEARBORN EXISTS TO HELP OUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY THRIVE. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT OUR STAFF DIRECTLY FOR GUIDANCE OR ASSISTANCE TO GET CONNECTED WITH FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL RESOURCES.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE PERLEBERG, MPERLEBERG -at- 1DEARBORN.ORG, 812-537-4010 EXT. 7233

 

At its heart, One Dearborn is an economic and community development organization. In this most challenging time of the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses in Dearborn County, across Indiana and around the world are experiencing unimagined and unexpected hardship and uncertainty. We want to help by being a resource to Dearborn County's local businesses so that they may successfully emerge from this COVID economy.

 

If you are a business with locations elsewhere in the Cincinnati region, our friends at REDI Cincinnati have also compiled a list of resources pertinent to businesses at www.redicincinnati.com/covid-19-resources. Likewise, our friends at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce have a helpful website at www.nkychamber.com/news/covid-19-federal-resources/.

 

Back on Track Indiana

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb released the "Back On Track" plan to reopen Indiana's economy. Visit backontrack.in.gov to view reopening principles, reopening engine, industry guidelines, and more. 

 

 

 

Prevention for Businesses

 

Concerns for Businesses

  • "Back on Track" Indiana reopening plan at backontrack.in.gov.
  • State of Indiana Small Business Restart Grant Program: On April 7, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced $60M in funding, tripling the initial allocation, for this program to assist small businesses with qualifying expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. The program, which, until now, reimbursed expenses incurred before Dec. 31, 2020, has already provided $34.5 million in grants to 1,644 small businesses in 85 counties across Indiana. Of the 1,644 small businesses that were issued grants, 190 are certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses (11.5%). Read more on eligibility and apply at backontrack.in.gov.
  • State of Indiana Hospitality & Entertainment Grant Program: This program makes available $30 million in federal funding to accelerate the speed of recovery for hotels, entertainment venues and promoters. Covers qualified expenses between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Read more on eligibility and apply at backontrack.in.gov.
  • Indiana Chamber of Commerce: Indiana's Road to Recovery plan
  • Indiana Economic Development Corporation: Indiana Business PPE Marketplace to help get Hoosier businesses the PPE supplies needed for responsible reopening. 
    • IEDC's board of directors approved $10 million to launch the Economic Activity Stabilization and Enhancement (EASE) program aimed at supporting technology and operational advancements in the manufacturing industry, which has long been a key driver of the state’s economy. EASE, which encompasses three complimentary initiatives, is designed to stimulate manufacturing investments that will position Hoosier operations, and the sector overall, for future growth and prosperity by prioritizing startup investment and resources, technology modernization and development, and training assistance. The three EASE initiatives include:
      • The new Smart & Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) Focus Fund, which will make seed and early-stage investments and provide entrepreneurship resources to Indiana manufacturing-focused startups through Elevate Ventures, the state’s venture development partner;
      • Manufacturing Readiness Grants, administered in partnership with Conexus Indiana, will provide matching grants of up to $200,000 to companies committing to modernizing their operations or integrating smart technologies and processes in order to improve capacity, or to companies investing in health care manufacturing technology, providing financial assistance to manufacturers supporting critical COVID-19 response efforts; and
      • A planned Smart Manufacturing Studio Lab, which will provide lab space and access to state-of-the-art smart manufacturing equipment, enabling businesses to train employees, validate technologies for their business models, and conduct third-party pilot manufacturing.
    • Of these programs, the SAM Focus Fund will launch immediately while the Manufacturing Readiness Grant applications are expected to be available in July with initial grant recommendations beginning in August. The IEDC will partner with industry stakeholders to develop a project scope for the Smart Manufacturing Studio Lab, mapping out next steps and a plan to source and supply the equipment, working toward a studio launch in early 2021. More information on EASE, which is funded through the state’s 21st Century Research and Technology Fund, is available here.
  • Small Business Administration (SBA): For detailed information on SBA programs for the coronavirus, visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus or www.gobierno.usa.gov/coronavirus (Spanish). The SBA has released the instructions and application for how Paycheck Protection Program borrowers can see their loans forgiven at https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form--paycheck-protection-program-loan-forgiveness-application.
  • SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund: The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide relief for the restaurant and food service industry, which has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for this funding is high, so the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) are encouraging Hoosier businesses to register and apply for funding through this program as soon as possible. Through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, eligible businesses may receive awards between $1,000 and $5 million per location to offset expenses, such as payroll, supplies, and operating expenses, incurred between Feb. 15, 2020, and March 11, 2023. Registration, more details and the application are available at sba.gov/restaurants. Account registration opens today, Friday, April 30, at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and the portal to submit applications will open Monday, May 3, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. 
  • Indiana Small Business Development Center: Indiana SBDC received funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the CARES Act for a number of initiatives to support small businesses as a result of COVID-19 impacts. Services are available through the Indiana SBDC’s 10 regional offices across the state and are expected to focus on counseling, training, financial assistance, e-commerce, business adaptation and innovation, disaster resiliency and planning, and reopening plans. More information on Indiana SBDC resources is available online.
  • Purdue University Center for Regional Development: Second-stage businesses can participate in PCRD's Economic Gardening program. The Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center is subsidizing up to five qualifying second-stage companies.:  Southeast ISBDC will subsidize up to 5 qualifying companies, within our region, for half the cost of this program (up to $2100).  This program is for second-stage companies to help them grow.
  • U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act, guide to the Paycheck Protection Program, and instructions and application for how Paycheck Protection Program borrowers can see their loans forgiven.
  • Southeast Indiana Chamber Foundation: Dearborn County Revolving Loan Fund to support local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce: CARES Act emergency loan availability infographic and CARES Act and You webinar with ISBDC on YouTube
  • U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security: Identifying critical infrastructure and businesses during COVID-19
  • Barnes & Thornburg LLP: Legal resource for businesses offering emergency employment measures and best practices around HIPAA laws, business travel, meetings, liability, etc.
  • McKinsey & Company: COVID-19 implications for business
  • Ready.gov: Preparedness planning for businesses
  • Restore Your Economy: How to respond to COVID-19
  • Social Media: Hubspot: Social Media Crisis Management Plan
  • Indiana Arts Commission: COVID-19 response and resources for artists, performers, venues
  • Indiana Manufacturer's Association: COVID-19 resource page
  • Indiana Department of Workforce Development: Unemployment benefits information and YouTube video webinar on unemployment benefits for employers and employees
  • Indiana NextLevel Jobs: Employer Training Grant 4.0 resumed as of July 1, 2020. Included via the CARES Act funding that Indiana received, the “4.0” phase of this work will allow for an increased maximum training reimbursement amount of $100,000 (an increase from $50,000) until December 30, 2020.  On January 1, 2021 the Employer Training Grant 4.0 will resume $50,000 maximum reimbursement per employer. To better diversify the impact of training Hoosiers, at least $5 million will be available to support Minority-, Women- & Veteran-owned businesses as IDWD embarks on its Rapid Recovery for a Better Future. Please find a special message about the NextLevelJobs: Employer Training Grant 4.0 from DWD Commissioner Fred Payne here. To see how it works and to get started all interested employers can find additional information, and the initial application here.  NOTE:  All employers must re-apply via the initial application to create a new record in the CRM. If you have any questions and your company resides in the counties of Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Jackson, Ohio, Ripley or Switzerland please contact: Kirk Kuhn, Business Services Manager, WorkOne Southeast, at 812-599-0844 or kkuhn@rivervalleyresources.com.
  • Indiana Office of Tourism Development: COVID-19 Resources for the Indiana Tourism Industry
  • Main Street America: COVID-19 resources and guidannce for main street organizations and businesses
  • National Restaurant Association: COVID-19 Reopening Guidance: A Guide for the Restaurant Industry
  • Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association: Apply for or donate to Indiana restaurant relief and COVID-19 resources
  • Childcare programs in Indiana: COVID-19 Guidance for Childcare Programs

 

Concerns for Employees

 

Economic Development Resources

 

Local News and Information

 

Local Governments