COVID-19 Response Resources for Businesses & Employees
With new information being released regularly, the Economic Development Department provides these links and the resources below to assist businesses and employees seeking COVID-19 adaptation assistance.
Quick links:
NH SBDC Business Resiliency Survey
- For the Seacoast report, click here.
- For the Statewide Report, click here.
Governor Sununu Stay At Home 2.0 order expired June 15, 2020. "Safer At Home" now in place, click here.
For the Universal Guidelines for business making preparations to reopen, click here.
For the Business Re-opening Plan offering a phased reopening, by industry click here.
For the City of Portsmouth Business Reopening Work Group action plans for restaurant indoor and outdoor dining, click here.
For the Citizen Response Task Force page, reports and background, click here.
For OSHA guidance on COVID-19 reopening compliance issues, click here.
NH Small Business Development Center PPP Re-Opening and New Guidance
Congress appropriated an additional $284 billion for PPP under the Economic Aid Act. New borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers can now apply for a First or Second Draw PPP Loan (deadline March 31, 2021). In order to be eligible to be for a second draw loan, businesses or self-employed individuals must have:
- Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and have used or will used the full amount only for authorized uses;
- No more than 300 employees; and
- Had at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts on an annual or quarterly basis between 2019 and 2020.
The Program now covers 501(c)(6)’s such as housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations.
The new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) re-opened this week, first to community financial institutions. The SBA will continue to roll out access to the next round of PPP loans to additional lenders as it strives to implement the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act and to ensure increased access to the PPP for minority-, underserved-, veteran- and women-owned small business concerns. Second draw PPP loans will become available from additional lenders in the near future and SBA will be providing rolling updates in the next week. For more information on updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources click here. This includes guidance on prior PPP loan forgiveness updates.
The SBA anticipates that there will be enough PPP funds to meet nationwide demand and suggests that borrowers work with their existing financial institution.
US GOVERNMENT FEDERAL RESOURCES
- Department of Labor -- Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions
- CARES Act (Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security Act) addresses the economic impact of COVID-19 19 and dedicates $350 billion towards small businesses. This federal stimulus act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and enhances the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and created the Paycheck Protection Plan.
- Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
- Learn more and Apply for an SBA Loan:
- The CARES Act Bill Text: Learn more. contractor or eligible self-employed individual, you were in operation on February 15, 2020.
- Small Business Debt Relief will pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a) loans for a six-month period and of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
- SBA Express Bridge Loans enable small businesses with a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
- SBA is also providing guidance for employers to plan and respond to COVID-19.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus.
- Department of Labor OSHA has guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE RESOURCES
- NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs:
- NH Business Tax and Interest & Dividends
- NH Homeland Security & Emergency Management -- Public Assistance for Private Nonprofits
- New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Center (NH PTAC) is a free resource for companies doing business with the federal government.
-
NH Lodging & Restaurant Association -- New Hampshire Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to support employees of the hospitality industry who have been impacted by COVID-19. Also see the National Restaurant Relief Fund.
- Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) COVID19 Resources
- NH Employment Security (NHES) Layoffs and business closures: If your business faces a potential layoff, the State of New Hampshire offers services through its Rapid Response program.
- Employers facing potential layoffs or closures should contact Joe Doiron at Joseph.Doiron@livefree.nh.gov, 603-271-0146, to activate a Rapid Response team. More information can be found at NH Works.
- Employees experiencing layoffs: The State of New Hampshire offers a number of services for employees who have been laid off. Individuals will need to file for unemployment each week of temporary unemployment and this can and should be done online or by calling the hotline at 603-271-7700.
- Filing for unemployment. You are assigned a day and time to file based on the first letter of your last name. The unemployment system hotline is 603-271-7700. Payments are made beginning eight days from when the claim is filed. Those filing claims must login again for each week of continued eligibility and file a continued claim.
- If you’re Self Employed and have filed for unemployment benefits, ignore the Denial Message you receive. Your unemployment claim requires time to process as a result of your being Self Employed. You will receive a telephone call from NHES to obtain wage information to process and complete your unemployment claim.
- File a Claim for Benefits
SEACOAST REGIONAL RESOURCES
- Seacoast SCORE in Portsmouth is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)3 affiliate of the SBA, dedicated to helping small businesses in our communities. Professional mentors are briefed on the new SBA loan program. They can help your business navigate the application and financial process. Email: info@scorehelp.org, Phone 603-433-0575 and request a SCORE mentor specialist to work with you. Seacoast SCORE is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)3 affiliate of the SBA, dedicated to helping small businesses in our communities.
- Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth
- Portsmouth portal to helpful COVID 19 Resources.
- And for hospitality businesses in particular, www.GoPortsmouthNH.com.
- The Seacoast Chamber Alliance of five regional Chambers has started the Seacoast Strong Business Forum Group on Facebook.Join for the latest information on the resources and support Chamber members have to offer.
- Business & Industry Association of NH
- Regional Economic Development Center
- McLane Law -- resources for employers
- NH Small Business Development Center COVID 19 Assistance for loans and advising:
- Accion Small Business Lending
- Center for Women and Enterprise
INFORMATION AND FUNDING RESOURCES FOR NON-PROFITS
- CARES Act Non-profit Resource Information:
- Webinar library
- New Hampshire Charitable Foundation COVID-19 Grant Response
- NH Center for Non-Profits COVID-19 Assistance
- CDFA Funding: The NH Nonprofit Response Fund will provide nonprofit organizations (affected by the COVID-19 pandemic) with resources up to $100,000 for working capital, equipment purchases and programming expenses.
HELPFUL WEBINARS AND PRESENTATIONS
Webinars from McLane Law Firm:
- Considerations for Reopening Your Business .
- An Overview of the CARES Act (3/31/20 by Patrick C. Closson and Kimberly A. Kramer)
- The CARES Act: An Overview for Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations (4/7/20 by Adam M. Hamel and Kimberly A. Kramer)
- The CARES Act Q&A (4/2/20 by Patrick C. Closson, Kimberly A. Kramer, Charla Bizios Stevens)
- Coronavirus Employment Q&A (3/26/20 by Charla Bizios Stevens, Adam M. Hamel, Jennifer L. Parent)
- Update on COVID-19 for Businesses and Professional Organizations (3/20/20 by John D. Colucci, Cameron G. Shilling, and Charla Bizios Stevens)
- Upcoming Small Business Development Seminars (covering loans and business tips) :
FAQs