Business Communication Guide
Click photo to view and download the entire toolkit pdf
Business Support
For an up-to-date listing of resources available statewide for alternative funding (grants and loans) for small businesses, please see this resource provided the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
If you have further questions about resource availability do not hesitate to contact Temporary Disaster Recovery Coordinator Loren Ahonen at lahonen@gunnisoncounty.org or 970-641-7981.
Business Performance Recognition
Gunnison County Department of Health and Human Services is announcing an opportunity for businesses to be recognized for taking necessary precautions and following guidelines to ensure customer and employee safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Initiative encourages area businesses to implement safety measures that will help slow the spread of COVID-19 locally and help the local economy recover.
High performance recognition will be given to businesses who demonstrate outstanding commitment in keeping their employees, customers, and business safe. Businesses must be compliant in key areas of current public health orders. The business will be given a window cling to display for their customers and be featured as a partner in a resource list in online and print advertising.
This program highlights some of the innovations local businesses have implemented and provides residents with a resource guide of places they can go where they know there are strict measures in place for customer safety.
Businesses that are interested in joining the program should submit a business safety plan to Gunnison County Health and Human Services. This plan is similar to the compliance checklist that Gunnison County has used to help businesses maintain safety.
To complete the Safety plan, click HERE. We will begin to update our website with our partners so far, this list will be updated each week.
Gunnison County Ventilation Assistance Program
Round 2 dispersals of HEPA filters will begin with a pick-up day at the Fred Field Center from 9am-5pm on 12/2/20. All recipient and non-recipient businesses will be contacted by the end of the day on 11/29/20.
Questions? Contact Loren Ahonen at lahonen@gunnisoncounty.org
Event Review Process & Applications
* 11/16/2020 UPDATE **
As of 11/5, Gunnison County has reduced event attendance to 50 outdoors and 25 indoors for all events, including those who have received prior approval. In addition:
• At this time, all events and gatherings will be required to complete the Event Risk Mitigation Application (the Self-Certification Form will be temporarily inactivated until further notice).
• While we are currently at Blue on the Gunnison County Coronameter with additional restrictions based on the State Dial risk level (currently state yellow), this status is fluid and may change often.
Please be aware that a contingency plan for event sizes of 25 outdoors and 10 indoors, or cancellation, is strongly recommended.
If possible, we encourage event planners to consider remote or virtual options to help curb community spread.
Questions can be emailed to events@gunnisoncounty.org.
You can access this information and web-based applications by clicking here.
Weekly Meetings
All Business Group – This meeting is being shifted to an as-needed schedule rather than a recurring weekly offering.
There will be an All Business Group Meeting on 12/1/20.
Tuesday @ 9 AM
Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 982 1914 2599
Password: 109791
Subscribe to Notifications
- ALL BUSINESS/INDUSTRY MEETING VIDEOS, MINUTES & AGENDAS
- 5/19/20 Video / Text
- 6/2/20 Video / Text
- 6/16/20 Video
- 6/23/20 Video
- 6/30/20 Video
- 7/7/20 Video
- 7/14/20 Video / Minutes
- 7/15/20 (GVH Community and Business Q&A) Video / Presentation
- 7/21/20 Video / Minutes
- 7/28/20 Video / Minutes
- 8/4/20 Video / Minutes
- 8/11/20 Agenda / Video / Minutes
- 8/25/20 Agenda / Video / Minutes
- 9/1/20 Agenda / Video / Minutes / Financial Assistance Referrals
- 9/22/20 Agenda / Video / Minutes / Presentation
- 10/13/20 Agenda / Minutes
- 10/20/20 Agenda / Video / Minutes / Presentation *Incomplete video
- 11/10/20 Agenda / Minutes
- 11/17/20 Agenda / Video *Starts @ 16:00 mins / Minutes / Presentation
- 11/24/20 Agenda / Video * Starts @ 9:00 mins / Minutes / Presentation
Important Information for all open businesses!
All open businesses must complete the hygiene and social distancing protocols and post them in their business. These do not need to be submitted, but they must be visible in your place of business. Please also note that all open businesses must operate within the restrictions outlined in approved sector plans (see your industry’s page in the menu to the right for the different sector plans) as approved by the public health director.
Business Questions
Businesses can submit their general questions to the Recovery team. Click here to submit your questions.
As of October, Business subgroups are not meeting on a weekly basis. However, there are times when the County will seek to convene specific subgroups for information gathering and dissemination. Those who have subscribed to the subsector email list below will receive those notifications.
Self-subscribe to industry subgroups for email notifications:
All Business
Contractors
Events
Lodging
Manufacturing
Non-Profits
Outfitters & Guides
Real Estate
Restaurants
Retail & Service
Summer Programs
RESOURCE LINKS
The below resources are applicable to a large audience. Industry specific resource links may also be found under the subgroup tabs.
Business Checklist for Public Health Order Compliance
Business Public Health Order Checklist – The factors used to assess business compliance with the Public Health Order can be found here.
Business Signage
Other Business Signage
- 8.5″x11″ Mask Signage w/ County Logo
- Restaurant mask signage standing vs sitting and Spanish version
- Restaurant mask signage general
- 7 Commitments to Containment
Recently Released
- Updated PPP Loan Forgiveness Application for loans under $50k -10/15
- Business Public Health Order Checklist – 10/15
- Business Containment Packet – 9/25
- Containment Packet Additional Info & Definitions – 9/25
- Do Your Part to Slow the Spread flyer – 8/27
- Close Contact Exposure Risk Management flyer – 8/27
- CDPHE Outbreak Reporting Form – 8/27
- Employee Symptom Screening Log Template – 8/7
- Letter to Business Leaders from Governor Polis– 7/24
- Mask Sign with Elk Ave restrictions – 7/17
- Social Distancing Calculator for Indoor/Outdoor Events – 7/13
- Interim Ventilation Guidance – 6/15
- “WIDE-Open” video link (feel free to share on social media) – 5/22
- EPA disinfecting guidelines – 5/21
- Region 10 Cash Flow Webinar – 5/20
- Letter to businesses from Gunnison County Health & Human Services – 5/20
- Pro-bono financial assistance – 5/19
- Profit and loss projection with cash flow analysis – 5/19
- Energize CO reopening template – 5/18
- County guidance on cleaning public restrooms – 5/11
- How to conduct a workplace health screening for COVID-19 – 5/6
- Gunnison County Construction (and others) exemption request form – 5/4
- Business Hygiene and Social Distancing Protocol – 4/24 Gunnison County
- Understanding payroll & tax credits under COVID-19 – Karen Hoskin (4/21)
- Hierarchy of Controls Pyramid – Presented by Sean Caffrey 4/20
- Framework for reopening – Joni Reynolds (4/20)
- Available funding sources for Colorado small Businesses – OEDIT (4/16)
- Gunnison County HHS guidance for essential workers – HHS COVID-19 public health guidelines for essential service providers
- Dept. of Labor – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – HR Compliance Bulletin, temporary regulations under FFCRA, Karen Hoskin (4/9)
- Colorado income tax extended deadlines – CO income tax payments extended to July 15, 2020, filing deadline extended to Oct. 15, 2020 (4/22)
- Colorado sales tax extension – CO Dept. of Revenue announces one-time, one-month extension to file and remit state (not local home rule)(4/7)
Training or Learning Resources
- Monday Motivators – Weekly webinars from SBDC 4/14
- Profit and loss practices for COVID-19 – geared towards hospitality management
- Small majority webinar
- COVID-19 projections – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
- CDC cleaning protocol
Updates
Gunnison County business owners who secured a PPP Loan for less than $50,000, please note that your loan forgiveness application has been simplified as of guidance released by the US Treasury as of 10/14/20. Please contact your lender directly to learn more about this process and impacts to your business. The updated application is listed in the Recently Released section of this website.
Gunnison County is continuing to provide feedback and necessary updates to business owners across industry segments. Please stay tuned to this site and the sub sector email lists (register above) for pertinent information and updates.
Federal Resources
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (HR 748, signed March 27, 2020)
- EPA disinfecting guidelines – 5/21
- CARES ACT – Section-by-section summary
- Overview of 2 CARES Act Programs – Region 10 (4/7)
- CARES Act Support Guide – Overview from Senator Bennet (4/2)
- Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act – U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
- Small Business Provisions in CARES Act – Explanation by Senate Small Business Committee, minority
- Q&A on small business interruption loans under CARES – Collier & Assoc. Client Information Sheet
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to CARES Act
Payroll Protection Program (PPP) – part of CARES Act
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Update (<$50,000) – 10/15
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Estimator – 5/19
- More info on PPP forgiveness – 5/19
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Application – 5/19
- PPP Loan Application Guidance – CO SBDC, Region 10 (4/2)
- Zoom webinar: Learn more about PPP – CO SBDC – Region 10 & Dever Chamber of Commerce
- PPP application form – SBA application form (4/3)
- PPP Application Guidance – Gunnison Bank & Trust (4/3)
- Colorado qualified lenders – SBA Lenders
- PPP FAQ
- Section-by-section explanation of Paycheck Protection Program
- Loan amount and potential forgiveness calculator – shared by Shelley Popke (4/2)
- IRS worker classification guidance (W-2 employee vs Independent Contractor) – 4/15
Employee Retention Credit (ERC)
The ERC program is designed to encourage eligible employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. ERC is a good alternative to PPP in communities were businesses have been ordered to suspend or partially suspend operations. Businesses can’t do ERC and PPP. If they have the necessary liquidity, businesses may decide that the ERC is better than borrowing funds and waiting for the forgiveness. They can take the credit right out of their quarterly payment. Clients are encouraged to discuss this with their accountant.
- Employee Retention Credit ERC – IRS FAQs
- US Chamber of Commerce ERC Guide – (4/3)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Dept. of Labor – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – HR Compliance Bulletin – temporary regulations under FFCRA, Karen Hoskin (4/9)
- March 24 Dept. of Labor Press Release – Guidance explaining paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under FFCRA
- Dept. of Labor – COVID-19 and the American Workforce – Paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, fact sheet, FAQs, posters (4/9)
- OSHA guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 – 35-page detailed guidance
- Colorado COVID Guide – Great resource from Region 10 on SBA Loans and more
- Request for Leave of Absence Form – To request emergency paid sick leave or emergency FMLA Expansion Act leave.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
- SBA Customer Service 1-800-659-2955; disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
- SBA Funding Programs
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) emergency $10k advance
- How to apply for EIDL and EIDL advance loans – Region 10 (4/2)
- SBA Express Bridge Loan – Allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access $25,000 with less paperwork
- SBA debt relief
- SBA EIDL application link – Money has run out as of 4/16
- Colorado SBDC Covid Resource Page – Recommended by Nancy Murphy and Gunnison Chamber (4/7)
Source: Colorado SBDC
More details comparing these two programs:
SBA EIDL Program vs the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Other resources on federal loans and checks
- Overview of all small business loan resources – Small Business Development Center’s interpretation of resources – 4/2
- Calculate how much you will receive from the coronavirus check
Regional and Private Resources
Governor Polis Executive Orders
- Colorado Executive Order D 2020 012 – Limits evictions, foreclosures, delinquent property taxes, and utility disconnections; does not remove the obligation to ultimately pay the full amount due
- Colorado Executive Order D 2020 031 – amends and extends D 2020 012
Other State Resources
- Region 10 Cash Flow Webinar – 5/20
- How to conduct a workplace health screening for COVID-19 – 5/6
- OnwardCO – Resources for Coloradans impacted by job loss during the pandemic
- Region10 Business Loan Fund – Dan Scinto – dan@region10.net
- CDOR Tax Updates – CDOR updates related to taxes, deadline extensions, services and penalties
- State-by-state breakdown of CARES Act – Informational
- Funding Priorities for Colorado Communities – Informational
- Colorado Nonprofits – General nonprofit resource with information and support groups
- Colorado Manufacturer’s EDGE – Resources for Manufacturers
- Colorado Department of Labor and Unemployment – Contains resources for workers and resources for employers
- Colorado Small Business Development Center – Disaster Recovery & Continuity Guide
- Nonprofit support through Colorado Assistance Fund (PDF) – El Pomar Foundation
- Colorado Creative Industries – Resources to support the arts
- Colorado COVID Guide – Great resource from Region 10 on SBA Loans and more.
- Region 10 Business Resource Guide – Resources to the power of 10
- Colorado coronavirus updates – Colorado’s official COVID-19 website
- Colorado coronavirus email self-subscribe – Offers business related information related to COVID-19.
- Help Colorado Now – Nonprofits, school districts, local governments and small businesses eligible to apply for up to $25,000.
County Resources
- “WIDE-Open” video link (feel free to share on social media) – 5/22
- Letter to businesses from Gunnison County Health & Human Services – 5/20
- County guidance on cleaning public restrooms – 5/11
- Gunnison County exemption request form – 5/4
- “It’s Not the Same Without You” video sharing links – 5/4
- Gunnison County Business Information Hub – GCEA and the Chambers are partnering to help ALL local businesses get donation buttons/links set up. They have turned the open/closed business list into a Business Information Hub. You can update your hours, add your business to the list, and include a Venmo/Paypal/GoFundMe/etc link where folks can support you financially. (4/7)
- Funding & assistance ideas – A spreadsheet with grant and funding details
- Gunnison Valley economic development blog – Tourism and Prosperity Partnership
Town/City Resources
Private Resources
- Colorado Lending Source – Emergency Loans – 9/1
- Greenline Emergency Microloan Program – 9/1
- Pro-bono financial assistance – 5/19
- Profit and loss projection with cash flow analysis – 5/19
- Energize CO reopening template – 5/18
- Loans up to $25,000 for minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses across Colorado – 4/21 Chad Zummach
- Bankrate – Credit card issuer assistance
- 5 Steps you can take today & Small Business Grants Program – Facebook
- KIVA.org – 0% loans
- Artist Safety Net – Grants for artist infected requiring serious medical care
- Rural Community Assistance – Rural Community Assistance
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts – Relief fund for artists who’ve had performance or exhibitions canceled or postponed