Aid & Assistance For Businesses

Statement from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association regarding the Paycheck Protection Program: 
Pennsylvania's banks are committed to supporting their local small businesses. The federal government's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is expected to go into effect on Friday, holds the promise of providing much-needed relief. We have been working with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Treasury Department to make sure the program allows banks to deploy these funds as quickly and efficiently as possible to the businesses that need it. At this time, guidance from the Treasury Department and the program's standard operating procedures from SBA are still being developed. The business community's patience and understanding is appreciated as the banking industry receives direction on how this program will be offered.

The following are resources that provide helpful information you may need to navigate the current situation.

 SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

• The 100 most active SBA 7(a) lenders | VIEW

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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

• Maximum loan amount is $2 million.
• Interest rates of 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere (businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible).
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application (EIDL) is open.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

• Loan designed for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.
• Loan forgiven if all employees are kept on payroll for 8 weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
• Loan applications will begin processing on April 3. Available through June 30, 2020.
• Download a sample application form so you are prepared for April 3.
• Additional Documents:
  • PPP Overview (Department of Treasury)
  • PPP Borrowers Fact Sheet (Department of Treasury) 
  • PPP Lenders Fact Sheet (Department of Treasury)
  • PPP payroll calculators for loan application (Excel spreadsheets)
    The PPP provides three scenarios for calculating maximum loan amounts depending on how long the business has been in operation and whether it’s seasonal. 
    • PPP Loan Calculator 1 — Non-seasonal & In business 2/15/19-6/30/19 (will apply to most businesses that operated in 2019) 
    • PPP Loan Calculator 2 — Non-seasonal & NOT in business 2/15/19-6/30/19 (will apply to new businesses)
    • PPP Loan Calculator 3 — Seasonal business (will apply to businesses that don't operate year-round)

PIDA Loans

• COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program administered by Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides working capital to small businesses. Applications must be submitted through a Certified Economic Development Organizations.
  • Maximum loan amount is $100,000.
  • Business has 100 or fewer full-time employees.
  • $60 million is available.

Pennsylvania Shared-Work Program
This program is through the Unemployment Compensation Office which allows an employer to temporarily reduce the work hours of a group of employees and divide the available hours equaling rather than laying off any employees.

Tax Relief

• Deadline to file and pay federal income taxes are extended to July 15, 2020.
• COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for FFCRA Leave FAQs (IRS)

Unemployment Compensation Office
Resources and information regarding UC benefits. Prepare now so if you or your employees need to file, your application(s) can be processed quickly.

Local Aid & Resources

Philadelphia

• Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund: Providing some small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with immediate relief through a mix of grants and loans. Matrix of Eligibility
• City of Philadelphia extends property, business tax deadlines to July 15.
• Save Philly's Restaurants: Join the movement to aid Philadelphia restaurants and their employees.

Western Pennsylvania

COVID-19 Response Fund for Western PA  
The loan program is designed to help businesses under 50 employees that are experiencing negative economic impacts in industries hit hard by the public health crisis. This fund is for small businesses in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Fayette, Indiana, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington, and Westmoreland.
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COVID-19 Response Fund for Erie County 
The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) and Bridgeway have teamed up to provide patient loan capital to small businesses and nonprofits.

Resources for Business

State Resources

• Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania Guide | VIEW

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Operations Resources

GENERAL

• New U.S. DOL Employee Rights Poster | DOWNLOAD​
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources | WEBSITE

​RESTAURANTS

• Essential Employee Letter | DOWNLOAD
• General Closed Operations Check-List | DOWNLOAD
• Bar & Restaurant Survival Playbook—transition from dine-in to carry-out/deliver | DOWNLOAD
• Heartland Mobile Pay app is available for free. | GET STARTED
• ​Heartland Online Ordering offer (free 90-days) | Call (866) 868-6850 for more information.
• Must Have Menus Coronavirus Response Kit | VIEW
• RestaurantOwner.com COVID-19 Operations Resource Center | WEBSITE
• ServSafe Takeout: COVID-19 Precautions Training | TRAINING VIDEO
• ServSafe Delivery: COVID-19 Precautions Training | TRAINING VIDEO
• ServSafe Food Handler Training (free through April 30) | ONLINE COURSE
• ServSuccess Professional Development Training (free through April 30) | GET STARTED
• FDA temporarily relaxes menu labeling law rules |  READ MORE
• Contact your broadliner if you are interested in converting to a corner market business concept. 

HOTELS

• Essential Employee Letter | DOWNLOAD
• General Closed Hotel Operations Check-List  DOWNLOAD
• AHLEI made available free hospitality career training | WEBSITE

TRAVEL

• U.S. Travel CARES Act Toolkit | WEBSITE