COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Laramie Chamber Business Alliance (LCBA) and City of Laramie announce the availability of grants and loans to support COVID-19 recovery and relief for local businesses!
Applications and instructions can be downloaded here: https://laramiewy-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/questions_laramie_org/Ev-73Gzvc7VOtdcQsi9UN3MBP1leQ4vTc7zxpLptuh0lAg?e=GimsJE
Only complete applications will be accepted. All other grants and loan requests will be reviewed and awarded on first come, first served basis. Refer to the chart below for funding thresholds and terms.
The CARES Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020 and provides additional assistance for small business owners. A major piece of this legislation is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing loans up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses. If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive a portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Guidelines on the PPP and other relief efforts are expected soon.
The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis.
If you are unsure whether your business qualifies, it’s not too late to talk with one of our advisors or your lender – but don’t wait! Get in touch with your local Wyoming SBDC Network advisor for no-cost, confidential services by clicking here.
PPP Links:
- Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
- Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information Sheet: Borrowers
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information Sheet: Lenders
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now being offered by the SBA to small businesses everywhere in Wyoming that are suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. For assistance applying for these loans, fill out this short form below. You can also learn more about these loans by clicking here.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020. Wyoming SBA Director Amy Lea said applicants may apply for loans online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Business Council creating business relief grant programs
The Wyoming Business Council staff is spearheading the creation of the Wyoming business relief programs and working to ensure a smooth and simple process for Wyoming’s small–business owners.
The Wyoming Legislature passed a bill on May 16 that created three grant programs to distribute $325 million of Wyoming’s $1.25 billion allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Wyoming small–business owners who have experienced hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The programs are:
- The Wyoming Business Interruption Stipend – $50 million in grants of up to $50,000 to independent Wyoming businesses that employ fewer than 50 people.
- The Coronavirus Business Relief Stipend – $225 million in grants of up to $300,000 for independent Wyoming businesses that employ fewer than 100 people. The Legislature set aside $50 million of this funding for businesses explicitly closed as a result of state orders.
- The Coronavirus Mitigation Stipend – $50 million for reimbursement of up to $500,000 in expenses incurred for the health and safety of Wyoming employees and to comply with public health guidelines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Way of Albany County Covid-19 Emergency Fund
The United Way has started a Covid-19 Emergency Fund to help local nonprofits deal with the effects of the pandemic in our community. The goal of the fund is to help agencies deal with the extra costs of maintaining their organization and the additional client needs caused by the actual virus and the economic fallout.
To date, the United Way has already made 20 grants. Examples include grants to Family Promise for motel rooms for the homeless families they serve, the Eppson Center for special takeout food prep material, ARK to pay for extra staffing costs because of the virus, Laramie Interfaith for extra client assistance and homeless prevention, and the public library for extra cleaning supplies (before they had to close).
All donations for the fund will be used here in Albany County for education, prevention, and the mitigation of economic hardships caused by the virus.
If you want to donate please send a check to the United Way, 710 E. Garfield Street #240, Laramie, WY 82070 and write Covid-19 in the memo line, or use their website for credit card donations, www.unitedwayalbanycounty.org/donate. Then select Covid-19 Emergency Fund.
BUSINESS RESOURCE LINKS FOR COVID-19
- COVID-19 Response Tips for Small Businesses (Wyoming Business Council)
- Stay up-to-date on the progress of COVID-19 in Wyoming (Wyoming Department of Health)
- General COVID-19 Information and Updates (CDC)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
- COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Businesses (WHO)
- Guidance for Preparing Your Business for COVID-19 (OSHA)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Street Resources
- List of COVID-19 Cybersecurity Scams You Should Be Aware Of
- Federal Legislation in the works for COVID-19: Providing Leave to Employers
- Tips for Supporting Parents Working at Home During School Closures
- How COVID – 19 Could Affect your Retail Business
- Resources for Supply Chain Issues
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program
- Wyoming Economic Development Association Covid-19 Resources
- Treasury, IRS and Labor announce plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses to swiftly recover the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave
- Ready to Reopen: A Playbook for Your Small Business
- COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION
- NEW LINK: Albany County Variance and Exception Application
- NEW LINK: COVID-19 Orders and Guidance – Wyoming Public Health Orders
- NEW LINK: Albany County Health Officer Public Health Order 2020-1
- NEW LINK: Restrictions ease under new orders, Governor allocates $17 million in CARES Act funding to expand COVID-19 testing and health response
- NEW LINK: Laramie Chamber Business Alliance (LCBA) & City of Laramie Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Grant/Loan Application
Statewide Order - Through May 15, 2020
Statewide Order pertaining to gymnasiums
Governor Mark Gordon announced on April 28, 2020 that new public health orders effective May 1 will allow gymnasiums to reopen under specific operating conditions.
Statewide Order Pertaining to nail salons, hair salons and barber shops; cosmetology, electrology and esthetic services; massage parlors; and tattoo, body art and piercing shops
Governor Mark Gordon announced on April 28, 2020 that new public health orders effective May 1 will allow nail salons, hair salons, barber shops, massage therapy, tattoo, piercing, cosmetology, etc, to reopen under specific operating conditions.
Statewide order pertaining to Child care facilities
Governor Mark Gordon announced on April 28, 2020 that new public health orders effective May 1 will allow child care facilities to reopen under specific operating conditions.
Statewide Order pertaining to bars, restaurants, theaters
Governor Mark Gordon announced on April 28, 2020 that new public health orders effective May 1 will allow places of public accommodations to reopen under specific operating conditions.
Statewide order pertaining to public gatherings
Governor Mark Gordon announced April 28, 2020 that the public health order forbidding gatherings of ten (10) or more people will be extended through May 15, 2020.
FREE Resources & Webinars for Small Businesses
Below are local resources for Albany County businesses to help deal with the COVID-19 crisis. If you have additional resources that are not listed, please email mross@laramie.org
Webinar: Learn to Let Go of What You Can’t Control
Thursday, June 4, 2020; 12:00-1:00pm
We often hear that we need to let go of something we can’t control when it seems to be causing us problems. But, what does letting go really mean?
In this FREE 30-minute webinar we’ll explore the reason we get attached to things in the first place and why letting go is so hard. You’ll also gain access to 5 tips for learning to let go. Join us!
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
How to Pick a Website Platform
Thu, Jun 11, 2020 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM MDT
With so many different website platforms on the market, it’s not easy to figure out which one would be best for your small business. You’ve probably seen some advertisements for do-it-yourself website builders such as Squarespace or Wix. It’s important to learn about them all. This FREE webinar will help you confidently assess which website platform would be best for you, your business, and your pocketbook.
This webinar is geared toward those who are looking to start a business website or update an old website.
Protect your IP from Hackers
June 16, 2020 – Online Webinar
Cybersecurity is important for every small business, but it is especially important for high-tech companies that rely on intellectual property for business value. This webinar will provide information on how you can:
- Protect your data, systems, and intellectual property from threats
- Respond to events
- Recover quickly when cybersecurity related events occur
SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal and Cost Accounting Workshop
June 17, 2020 – June 18, 2020 – Online Webinar
Do you have an idea for an innovation and need money to complete the research and development? If yes, then this two-day workshop is for you. Did I mention you get sample proposals? Yet another reason to learn how to get up to $1.5 million in seed funding without any equity dilution.
Free webinars offered through Blue:
Seminars available include:
- Basic Budgeting
- Understanding and Building Your Credit Score
- Basic Financial Planning for Teens and Young Adults
- Wise Use of Credit Cards
- Budgeting During Tough Times
Click here to register for the seminars. Several Dates and Times are offered.
Recording of: “The Power of Storytelling for your Business.”
Local communications guru, Jessica Brauer presents these free tools. This powerful guide is a collaborative effort between LCBA, Downtown Laramie Wyoming and Visit Laramie.
