COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
THIS PAGE IS UPDATED DAILY
Announcements
Find out about the future of Outdoor Dining in NYC here.
*** Due to technical issues, the Portal is currently offline. We will post an update as soon as it has been updated by the SBA. ***
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.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced an agreement on the FY 2022 New York State Budget. The final budget accomplishes major legislative priorities, including: |
- A record $29.5 billion in aid to schools aid;
- $29 billion in public and private green economy investments;
- $2.4 billion for rent and homeowner relief;
- $2.4 billion for child care;
- $2.1 billion for excluded workers;
- 1 billion for small business recovery;
- A first-in-the-nation plan to make broadband internet affordable;
- Legalizing mobile sports betting; and
- Implementing comprehensive nursing home reforms.
Find our more here
Pine-Sol and ESSENCE are teaming up to provide a $100,000 award to women-owned Black businesses. Create and upload a 1-2 min video, prepare your business plan for how you plan to use the funds if awarded, and fill out a short online application and upload your materials.
Learn more here.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. Learn more here.
The Senate passed a bill to extend applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to May 31st.
Find out more here
Our partner Citi is offering a series of webinars between April and May on PPP.
- April 8 at 3 pm ET
- April 20 at 3 pm ET focusing on single owner businesses
- April 22 at 3 pm ET (Spanish language)
- May 4 at 3 pm ET
*You do not need to have an account with Citi to attend
Find out more here
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.
Relief grants for restaurants and bars are being rolled out in the coming weeks. Funds can be used for payroll, rent, utilities, outdoor seating setups, and other operational expenses between 2/15/2020 and 12/31/2021. Businesses that have received PPP-Round 2 are eligible for this program too (however NOT if you have also applied for and received the SVO grant). We strongly recommend you read this guidance and get your application together immediately - the application process will be first-come, first-served.
Update from March 30:
The SBA announced that they are eliminating the System for Award Management (SAM) registration process for independent restaurants and bars applying for the RRF. Businesses no longer need to acquire a DUNS number or register for a SAM.gov account. If you’ve already started or finished the process, your progress will not have an impact on funds awarded once the program is live. This change eliminates a major barrier and creates a level field that gives the smallest businesses a better shot at getting relief.
Learn more here
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.