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. 

NEW! Main Street Relief Fund 2.0 Applications Due by 4 pm October 30, 2020

Main Street Relief Fund 2.0  (MSRF) provides continued economic support to New Hampshire small businesses suffering from business interruptions as a result of COVID-19. Specifically, it supports both (1) businesses that did not receive grants from the initial round of MSRF or the General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) Fund, and (2) businesses that received grants of less than the maximum $350,000 from the initial round of MSRF or the GAP Fund, if eligible. Businesses that received a Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) grant are not eligible for MSRF 2.0. The application period runs from October 19, 2020 to 4:00 PM on Friday, October 30, 2020. The application must be completed and submitted by 4:00 PM on Friday, October 30, 2020. For MSRF 2.0 FAQs click here. For assistance, call (603) 271-7840 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, or email mainstreet@GOFERR.nh.gov.

UNH Small Business Development Center Resiliency Academy

FREE Webinar: Resiliency Academy

Local communities and small business go hand in hand. Businesses provide goods and services, jobs, taxes and community leadership. Vibrant cities and towns have a variety of businesses along with civic, social and cultural activities. Community pride is strengthened with strong economic activity and thriving small business.

UNH Extension and NH Small Business Development Center are partnering to offer Resiliency Academy, bringing together small business and community leaders to work toward a resilient future. The academy will focus on developing small business and community resiliency plans which will aid in economic recovery and future planning. 

Resiliency Academy will kick off with a free webinar, Planning for Resiliency, offered

October 21, 2020 8:30 – 10 am https://ic.nhsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5400329
October 27, 2020 3– 4:30 pm https://ic.nhsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5400330

Who should attend: Small businesses, community leaders and volunteers, municipal officials, economic development professionals and those interested in the economic recovery and future planning of their business base and community are invited to attend the academy. 

The Resiliency Academy webinars will explore:  

  • The intersection of small business and community resiliency
  • Why it’s important to focus on resiliency planning now
  • Factors for building resilience in small business and community
  • Academy plans and agenda

For questions or assistance registering, please contact Casey.Porter@unh.edu or Christine.Wolczko@unh.edu

Resiliency Academy full day training sessions will be offered in spring 2021. Stay tuned for more details.  

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.

SBA Reopens Disaster Loan Program to all Businesses (June 16, 2020)

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19.

SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate temporary loss of revenue. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses.

For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website at SBA.gov/Disaster.  Local small businesses with questions about EIDL or any other SBA program should email NewHampshire_DO@sba.gov

SECOND ROUND OF PPP LOANS STILL AVAILABLE:

The Small Business Administration reports the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is up and running. To apply contact a bank that is a SBA lender. For more information from the Treasury Department on the current processes, click here.

The SBA has issued (May 15) the Loan Forgiveness Application that will be used by PPP borrowers to determine and report how much of their PPP loan will be forgiven. The Application and Instructions resolve a number of calculations and substantive questions. Forbes.com provided a summary (click here). 

  • NH Small Business Development Center resources:
    • COVID-19 page:
    • Financial Best Practices for Recovery - 5/12
    • Best Communications Practices for Recovery and Reopening - 5/1
    • Operational Planning for Recovery and Reopening - 5/19

US GOVERNMENT FEDERAL RESOURCES

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE 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

INFORMATION AND FUNDING RESOURCES FOR NON-PROFITS

HELPFUL WEBINARS AND PRESENTATIONS

Webinars from McLane Law Firm:

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