COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
THIS PAGE IS UPDATED DAILY
Announcements
This program will provide grants between $5,000-$50,000 and will be calculated based on a business' annual gross receipts for 2019. Reimbursable COVID-19 related expenses must have been incurred between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021.
You are eligible if you are a PPP, EIDL, or SVO grant recipient but NOT if you received funds through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Find out more at: https://nysmallbusinessrecovery.com/
The program will provide $10,000 grants to 150 Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses. Eligible businesses must have earned less than $1 million in 2020. Grant applications will be accepted through June 25.
- Eligible Hispanic food & beverage businesses must have earned less than $1 million in 2020
- The application is open on June 2nd and will close on June 25th.
- Other requirements may apply
For more information visit their website.
Over the past six weeks, NYC has undergone a phased reopening - with capacity limits being lifted for retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement/entertainment, hair salons/barber shops and houses of worship. As of June 1, the midnight curfew on restaurants and bars has also been lifted.
Read the guidance here. The phases of reopening are detailed below by date.
May 7th
- Indoor Dining to increase to 75% maximum capacity.
- Hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will expand to 75% capacity.
May 10th
- Outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500 people.
- Congregate commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of four present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated.
May 15th
- Gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50% capacity.
- Casinos and gaming facilities will expand to 50% capacity.
- Offices will expand to 75% capacity.
May 17th
- Outdoor Dining Curfew Lifted.
- MTA resumes 24 hour service.
May 19th
- Caps on capacity for most business activities will be removed across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, houses of worship (businesses will continue to be required to limit capacity to allow for 6 feet of space between patrons or parties of patrons)
- Indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people.
- Outdoor residential gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing.
- Indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people.
- Large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 % capacity - Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
- Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 % capacity - Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
- Gatherings in excess of the social gathering limits and congregate commercial and social events may occur if all individuals over the age of four present proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
May 31st
- Indoor Dining Curfew Lifted.
Residential Rent Relief Application Opening June 1
The emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) will assist households behind on their rent, and those at risk of homelessness or housing instability and that earn at or below 80 percent of area median income. During the first 30 days, the program will prioritize the unemployed, those with income at or below 50% AMI and other vulnerable populations. Click here more information.
Small Business Recovery Resources Website
NYS has created this website of all available resources for small businesses, including grants, technical assistance, and tax credits.
Chancellor Meisha Porter announced that all students grades 3-K through 12 will be learning in-person this fall.
For more information
Grants
Small businesses, vital to the fabric of their neighborhoods, will receive grants of up to $10,000 to maintain payroll and operations. They will prioritize businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, and women, businesses that have the greatest need and minimal access to resources, as well as those that modify their operations slightly in order to remain open during the pandemic (i.e., hire delivery workers, increase inventory, or make modifications to provide product pick-up). CitizensNYC has cultivated the infrastructure, expertise, and community knowledge to help struggling New Yorkers directly.
*** SBA has announced the portal is reopening May 24th. ***
The SVO grant opened noon on April 8 - apply via the SVO Portal.
Application Process
- Once you begin, remember to save the application along the way and refer to www.sba.gov/svogrant for reference materials as you go through the process.
- To meet IRS requirements, a unique SVOG 4506-T is required for the SVO grant application and you can find that fillable document at www.sba.gov/svogrant under Supplemental Documents. A video tutorial is also provided to guide you through it.
- Also read these FAQs before you get started, as well as several of these application tools to help you apply.
- Businesses now have the option to apply for and accept the PPP loan as well as the SVO grant.
- Grant funds can be applied towards the loan. Grant amount will be 45% of gross earned revenue, with a max amount of $10 million. Get free application assistance from Curtains Up NYC.
Brooklyn Chamber in the Field
Our team led by President and CEO Randy Peers has conducted 29 commercial corridor visits, and continues to go out all across Brooklyn bringing crucial recovery services to small businesses. Check us out in our newsletter, the Buzz, to see our work in the field.