Business Support
On March 20th, Gunnison County hosted a meeting to clarify and provide information on business resources available to businesses affected by the COVID-19 Incident. To watch the meeting video click here.
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 below 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.
Beginning Monday, June 1, some subgroups will start meeting together as industries are able to reopen and operate on a more regular schedule. This industry-wide weekly meeting will be on Tuesdays at 9 am; any affected subgroups are now listed below with the new information (including times, Zoom information, and a joint agenda/minutes document). Unaffected subgroups will continue to meet at their regularly scheduled times, but members of those groups are invited to the joint Tuesday meeting, as well.
Self-subscribe to industry subgroups for email notifications:
RESOURCE LINKS
The below resources are applicable to a large audience. Industry specific resource links may also be found under the subgroup tabs.
Recently Released
- Symptom Screening Guidelines – State of Colorado – 5/24
- “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
- 5 Commitments to Containment infographic – 5/18
- County guidance on cleaning public restrooms – 5/11
- How to conduct a workplace health screening for COVID-19 – 5/6
- Gunnison County exemption request form – 5/4
- Gunnison “Pay It Forward” business relief grant program info – 4/29
- Gunnison “Pay It Forward” business relief grant press release – 4/29
- Business Signs – For use in business establishments in Gunnison County 4/28
- Crested Butte small business relief grant program – 4/28
- 8th Gunnison County public health order – 4/25
- Business Hygiene and Social Distancing Protocol – 4/24 Gunnison County
- Local COVID-19 information from KBUT – (4/22)
- 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)
- Box-it-in briefing – Joni Reynolds (4/20)
- Resource for Colorado small businesses to find alternative funding sources – 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)
- IRS extended deadlines – IRS tax filing and payment deadline extended to July 15, 2020 (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)
- Pro-bono financial assistance – 4/8
- 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
The IRS will postpone the April 15 tax payment deadline by 90 days for millions of individuals who owe $1 million or less and corporations that owe $10 million or less. Americans still have to meet the April 15 deadline if they are expecting a refund or are requesting a six-month extension, but they can defer payment for up to 90 days beyond that. Click here to read additional information. More to come on this soon.
Gunnison County is initiating valley-wide conversations with business subgroups to begin crafting solutions to support local business through this difficult time. The exchange of information will illuminate immediate and future challenges and opportunities for each subgroup. A taskforce through the ICELab will work to bridge business subgroups with elected officials, resources and consultants. More information coming shortly.
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 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
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
Private Resources
- 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