COVID Resources for Businesses

Information and resources provided for the governor's office.

This site allows you to register your business to receive updated communication, notifications, and helpful guidance via email from the State Fire Marshal’s Office specific to your business type. These notifications will answer the important questions:

• When can I partially or fully open my business?
• What are the steps to open my business?
• What changes can be expected for businesses that have been operating, but with restrictions?
• What restrictions are my business subject to, if any?
• Are there any new sanitation requirements for my business?
• Are there any personal protective requirements (masks, gloves, etc.) for my employees?

The SBA will open the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal on April 8 for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief, as those eligible entities are some of the first that had to shutter their doors a year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA is accepting SVOG applications on a first-in, first-out basis and allocating applicants to respective priority periods as it receives applications. The first 14 days of SVOG awards, which are expected to begin in late April, will be dedicated to entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second 14 days (days 15-28) will include entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020. Following those periods, SVOG awards will include entities that suffered a 25% or greater revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.

The SBA will soon open registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), a $28.6 billion fund created by the American Rescue Plan with grants available for restaurants, bars, and other similar businesses impacted by COVID-19. Qualifying applicants can register starting on Friday, April 30 at 8 a.m., and the SBA will begin accepting applications on Monday, May 3 at 11 a.m. via the RRF application portal. The portal will remain open for eligible entities to apply until all funds are exhausted. For the first 21 days the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are still encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The CARES Act provides economic assistance to workers, families, and small businesses and preserves jobs for American industries.

The FFCRA provides businesses with tax credits to cover certain costs of providing employees with required paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to COVID-19, from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

The Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Mask Up Lafayette Download an easy-to-print sign to post at your business' entrance. Let's work together to keep our businesses open and our friends and family members employed.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. SBA is currently offering PPP loans until March 31, 2021. Changes were recently announced to make access to PPP loans more equitable.

Attachments:

PPP Frequently Asked Questions

PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

We’re here to help you overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. We offer multiple funding options for those seeking relief. Read more below.

The EIDL program is designed to provide low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to six months of working capital. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The application deadline and covered period have been extended until Dec. 31, 2021.

• Businesses, public bodies, cooperatives, and nonprofits in rural areas
• Rural areas include towns and cities with 50,000 or fewer population
• Approved loan uses include acquisitions, equipment purchases, debt refinancing, job creation
• Lenders include federal and state banks, farm credit banks, and credit unions
• Interest and principal payments are deferred for three years