The City of Delaware is committed to supporting our local business community during the rapidly evolving Coronavirus situation.

In particular, we know our local small businesses may need information and support from the City during this challenging time. This page has been created as a one-stop shop for info and resources for our local business community.

Given the pace of change, this list is not exhaustive, but we will attempt to keep it as current as possible.

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On April 29, 2020, the Ohio Department of Health, under the direction of Governor Michael DeWine, issued a director’s Stay Safe Ohio order. This order includes the reopening of businesses, with exceptions and continues a Stay Healthy and Safe at Home Order.

If you still have questions after reviewing the order, please contact your local economic development professional to receive direction on if your company is an essential or non-essential company. Our contact information is listed below:

Sean Hughes, City of Delaware Economic Development Director

shughes@delawareohio.net

740-203-1016

Courtney Hendershot, Economic Development Coordinator

chendershot@delawareohio.net

740-203-1018

Bob Lamb, Delaware County Economic Development Director

BLamb@co.delaware.oh.us

614-306-1020

Kelsey Scott, Delaware County Economic Development Coordinator

KLScott@co.delaware.oh.us

740-361-7894

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BUSINESS RESOURCES

COVID19 Ohio Business Reopening Toolkit

The Office of Small Business Relief (OSBR) - This new state office is focused on identifying and providing direct support to the state's nearly 950,000 small businesses to help during the current public health crisis and to position them for a strong rebound.


Grants:

• Delaware County Small Business Protection Program -  Delaware County is now accepting applications for their Small Business Protection Program, which will award grants up to $15,000 for Delaware County for-profit businesses with 25 or fewer employees. Applicants must document operation losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the full application package, email econdevelopment@co.delaware.oh.us or go to https://bit.ly/3f6faA8. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

Loans:

• Senate CARES ACT Reference Sheet (Payroll Protection Program Loans MUST be applied for through an existing SBA lender (bank). Links to those are below.)
• SBA EIDL Disaster Loan Assistance >> APPLY HERE (Payroll Protection SBA 7a loans must be applied for through an SBA approved financial institution.)
• This article from Forbes does a great job of describing the EIDL Loan and Payroll Protection Program loan
• First Commonwealth Bank Care Act Page
• Goldman Sachs Small Business Stimulus Package - 

  Goldman Sachs Global Small Business Stimulus Package: A $275 million commitment to provide funding and lending to small businesses during this time of stress.

  $250 million to provide emergency loans to small businesses across the country. As a start, we have partnered with the City of New York for a $20 million emergency loan facility that will bring flexible capital up to $75,000 to businesses with fewer than 100 employees (apply here). We have also anchored the City of Chicago’s $100 million emergency loan facility with $10 million (learn more here). Additional partnerships will span multiple cities and countries.

  $25 million in grants to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven lenders to ensure they have the necessary capacity to underwrite and deliver loans to small businesses as soon as possible

  https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/small-business-resources/

• Huntington Bank Payroll Protection Loan and Other Disaster Relief Loan Application and Guidance Page
• PNC Bank Payroll Protection Loan and Small Business Assistance Page
• Richwood Bank Payroll Protection Loan and Existing Loan Payment Relief Page
• Honeycomb Credit Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan (Private Crowdfunding not endorsed by the City of Delaware) - Loan options for working capital through its proprietary crowdfunding platform are being offered from $10,000 to $25,000

• Main Street Lending Program - The Main Street Lending Program is being offered by the Federal Reserve. The loans are from $500,000 to $25 million and ARE NOT forgivable. Eligible companies will apply for these loans through an eligible lender. For more information ->> https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/mainstreetlending.htm

Governor's Order 2020-08D Commercial Evictions and Foreclosures:

• This is the Governor Dewine's executive order allowing for commercial mortgage and rent relief.

  Please know that it is up to YOU to establish a new payment plan with your bank or landlord. This doesn't just give you the ability to not pay.

Bureau of Workers' Compensation:

• Insurance premium payments for March, April, and May can be deferred until June 1st, 2020. More information here.
  

Department of Commerce:

• Liquor Buyback Program – The Ohio Department of Commerce is offering a one-time liquor buyback program for bars and restaurants. 
• Products must have been obtained in the last 30 days and applies to select F2 permit holders too.
  

Department of Insurance:

• Insurers must permit employers to continue covering employees under group policies even if the employee would become ineligible due to a decrease in hours worked per week. See the Bulletin (PDF)
  

Workforce:

• Ohio COVID-19 Job Search Portal (for employers and workers)
• ODJFS SharedWork Ohio – SharedWork Ohio is a layoff aversion initiative for businesses aimed at curtailing unemployment during economic downturns.
• Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• Disaster Assistance Unemployment – This program extends unemployment benefits to self-employed, independent contractors or small business owners who do not pay into unemployment insurance. We are waiting for this program to be authorized in Ohio.
  
• TechCred – Provides reimbursement for business up-skilling employees through a select list of verified skill development programs. 
• Department of Labor (DOL) – The DOL provides information for issues that pertain to fair labor wages and standards during the COVID-19 situation.

• COVID-19 Work Refusals: Information for Employers

• Avoiding Violence in the Workplace – As businesses begin to reopen at varying rates and capacities, subject to state and federal containment measures, companies will be faced with the challenge of complying with safety standards while accommodating customers and clients. Face coverings, gloves, and social distancing remain standard preventive measures, and numerous jurisdictions have encouraged or even mandated such measures in public. The pandemic and the resultant restrictions have tapped a new source of fear and anger for some individuals. This article addresses concerns in navigating the reopening landscape when customers or clients aggressively to abide by public health requirements.
  

Export and Import Assistance:

• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) – The EXIM is offering three kinds of relief measures to banks, exports, and small business impacted by the Coronavirus.
  
  

City, State and Federal Taxes:

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Deadlines for filing taxes and any payments of due federal income tax have been delayed until July 15th, 2020
• The City of Delaware also has extended its filing and payment deadline until July 15th, 2020.
• IRS Coronavirus Relief *NEW*

Finance Relief:

• Consumer Financial Portection Bureau (CFPB) – The CFPB and other financial regulators have encouraged financial institutions to work with their customers to meet their community needs. 
• Huntington COVID-19 Programs & Assistance *NEW* – Payment deferrals for small businesses and individuals are being offered across their products. 
• Fifth Third Coronavirus Hardship Release *NEW* – Payment deferrals for small businesses are being offered across their products. 
• IRS Coronavirus Relief *NEW*

Utility and Telecom Assistance:

• Columbia Gas of Ohio – suspending shutoffs for non-payment
• AEP Ohio  – suspending shutoffs for non-payment

• Agents at the AEP Ohio Business Solutions Center are on standby. Whether it’s a sole proprietor looking for payment assistance, or a larger company hoping to retain its workforce, they are ready to talk about the following below as businesses stand strong in the weeks ahead. Business experts are available at 888-710-4237. Information is also available on AEPOhio.com/COVID19.
  

  - Payment plans to help navigate through challenging financial times. Call 888-710-4237 to learn more

  - Suspended processing fees on credit and debit card bill payments through June 30, 2020

  - Loan programs, such as the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, that can be used to pay utility bills

  - Energy usage and facility insights to help guide budget decisions

  - Information on bonus incentives to purchase and implement energy efficient products for businesses

  - Tips to avoid scammers and keep information safe during these uncertain times
  
  

• Charter Communications – free access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi for new, student households
• AT&T – keeping customers connected + additional relief and support for customers
• FirstEnergy – Suspension of service for nonpayment has been stopped until further notice and repayment plans have been implemented
• Charter Communications – Offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbp
  

Additional Resources:

• Professional Beauty Association Relief Fund
• Samuel Adams Grant for Impacted Service Industry Workers
• Rev1 Ventures' Managing Your Startup Through COVID-19 Pandemic website
• Dealing with contractual obligations during the COVID-19 crisis (Bricker & Eckler)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Bankers and Consumers (FDIC)

• Maximizing Your Company’s Insurance Coverage for COVID-19 Losses (Taft/)

• Consumer travel alerts and information *NEW*
• COVID-19 Global Real Estate Implications from JLL
• International Economic Development Council Response and Resources
• Restore Your Economy: How to Respond to COVID-19
• Novel-Coronavirus – Fighting Products – This list is of products that have shown to fight the Coronavirus 
• OSHA – Guidance on Preparing Workplace on COVID-19*NEW*
• U.S. Economic Development Administration Disaster Recovery
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Combating the Coronavirus
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers from the CDC
• COVID-19 Business & Employers Checklist
• Protect Public Health Flyer
• SCORE Mentoring - Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub
• Porter Wright is committed to providing nimble, informed and efficient legal advice to clients regarding actual and potential local, national and global impacts from the pandemic.
• Learn more about Delaware's DORA and how you can explore & enjoy downtown with a beverage!
  

Public Health Updates:

• Delaware General Health District