small businesses need customers! tips to support …follow the social media channels for small...

N C M a i n S t r e e t & R u r a l P l a n n i n g C e n t e r 4346 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4346 919-814-4658

SMALL BUSINESSES NEED CUSTOMERS!

TIPS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY

#SupportLocalSafely | #NCDowntownStrong | #NCSmallBizStrong

Note to Users: The references to companies mentioned herein are not intended as

endorsements of services by the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center. However, now, more

than ever, is the time to share best practices and borrow from one another to provide resources

for our communities.

“As individuals, we have the power to change the dynamics of our local economy, by making

thoughtful choices about where we spend our money.”

~ Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center

Tips on What You Can Do to Help Small Businesses

➢ Stay Healthy, Wash Your Hands Often, and Follow the NC Department of

Health & Human Services Guidelines.

➢ Follow the Social Media Channels for Small Businesses in your Community.

➢ Connect Virtually with Small Businesses for Products and Services.

➢ Comment and Share Posts from Small Businesses.

➢ Shop Small/Shop Local Online or Over the Telephone.

➢ Leave 5-Star Reviews for Businesses that You LOVE.

➢ Order Take-Out from Local Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bakeries, etc.

➢ Promote Your Positive Experiences on Social Media.

➢ Buy Gift Cards NOW and Use Them Later.

➢ Buy Items NOW for Future Pick Up or Put Them on Layaway.

➢ Tip Generously.

➢ Maintain Subscriptions to Health Clubs, Coffee Clubs, etc.

➢ Participate in Virtual Events and Activities Offered by Businesses.

➢ Help a Small Business Owner with Childcare.

➢ If You Know a Small Business Owner, Ask How You Can Help Them!

Our sincere thanks to the National Main Street Center, various state and local Main Street

organizations, and many other partners for sharing information used to create this publication.


DOWNTOWN & COMMUNITY LEADERS

TIPS & RESOURCES TO SUPPOR T TH E LOC AL ECON OMY






“Amidst this uncertainty, however, one thing is clear: Main Street organizations have an essential

role to play in supporting businesses during this difficult period, and our Main Street leaders will

be even more important when fears about the virus subside and we are actively supporting

businesses and communities in the recovery process.”

~ Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center

Tips on What You Can Do to Help Small Businesses

Communicate Health & Safety:

➢ Make sure that businesses are following the NC Department of Health and

Human Services guidelines.

➢ Make sure that you and your businesses are following the Governor’s

Executive Orders. NEW Executive Orders Added

➢ Text 898211 and write COVIDNC to receive Coronavirus text alerts.

Provide Leadership:

➢ Be a leader in the community and set the example for supporting small

businesses.

➢ Share resources and financial opportunities with your businesses.

o Encourage businesses to call Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) at

800.228.8443. BLNC staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30

am – 4:00 pm. Se Habla Español. There are Spanish-speaking

counselors.

▪ Call volume in BLNC is expected to be high, and callers may

need to leave a message and await a returned call. Please

be patient.

▪ BLNC counselors will gather basic information from callers

and refer the case to the most appropriate resource – small

business experts with the either the Small Business

Technology Development Center (SBTDC) or the state’s

Small Business Center Network (SBCN) -- for assistance.

2 | P a g e N C M a i n S t r e e t & R u r a l P l a n n i n g C e n t e r 4346 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4346 919-814-4658

▪ SBTDC and SBCN small business counselors will assess needs –

working, for example, to assist with the preparation of any

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application.

o Obtain a working knowledge of Unemployment Insurance System

changes and direct businesses to the following resources:

▪ The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at:

https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information

▪ Website is www.des.nc.gov and the call center is 888-737-

0259.

o Direct businesses to Federal Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is known for its flexible

and useful lending programs - especially in times of crisis. In the

wake of the coronavirus pandemic, SBA has redoubled efforts to

administer its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Working with

state governors, SBA will fund low-interest loans for businesses and

non-profit organizations that have been severely impacted by the

outbreak. Loans may total up to $2 million and provide targeted,

short-term support to help borrowers compensate for revenue

losses caused by the virus. Learn more about the Disaster Loan

Program at www.sba.gov/disaster.

o Direct Businesses to the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan

Program

The Golden LEAF Foundation announces $15 million in funding to

launch a rapid recovery loan program in response to economic

losses related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Golden LEAF funding will

support the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program by

enabling loans to be made to eligible businesses for up to $50,000

with zero interest and no payments for six months. If not repaid in six

months, the loan will automatically convert to a term loan. The NC

COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program

(https://ncrapidrecovery.org/) is managed by the NC Rural Center,

a statewide nonprofit that has been supporting small business

owners for more than 30 years. Read press release here.

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 Register essential industries: o https://www.manufacturednc.com/ [manufacturednc.com]

o https://hub.bio.org/ [hub.bio.org]

o www.carolinatextiledistrict

o NC Emergency Management has a process to vet businesses and

allow them the ability to move IF an emergency or shelter in place

should their usual operations warrant such.

▪ Businesses should email [email protected]. In the email,

they should provide the following:

1. Business name

2. Point of Contact including:

-name

-email


-phone number

-address

3. Nature of their business and why they are critical to

continue operations

4. Business website

➢ Communicate to businesses that the Federal Income Tax filing and

payment deadline has been extended to 7/15/2020.

➢ Designate public on-street parking spaces for curb-side pickup for

restaurants and retailers in order to increase convenience for customers.

➢ Dedicate a page on your website where resources can be easily found

by your downtown business owners. o Example - Information Clearinghouse – Together, the Rowan County

Chamber of Commerce, Rowan Economic Development Commission,

and Rowan County Tourism developed a website that is serving as a

clearinghouse for guidance and resources available to workers and local

businesses impacted by COVID-19. The groups are committed to keeping

the information up-to-date and easily accessible.

➢ Research business interruption insurance and disseminate information to

your businesses.

➢ Help business owners find new forms of revenue. o Example - Work with small business owners to help them identify new

needs being generated by COVID-19. Are there products or services that

are and could be in demand that existing businesses could provide, at

least in the short-term? Ask business owners to participate in brainstorming

sessions with five other businesses, for example, to discuss potential

business opportunities.

Source: Hitting the Pause Button on the Economy: Fund Small Business Relief

of COVID-19 Now

➢ Work with property owners to offer free or reduced rent for business

tenants for a specified period (or defer it). Business retention is a better

long-term economic development strategy than business recruitment.

➢ Offer some online business courses during this time when businesses

owners may be at home so that your businesses will come back stronger

when they reopen.

➢ Create a low-interest loan program that will get businesses back on their

feet.

➢ Participate in webinars and educational opportunities to help keep

businesses informed.

Communicate with Businesses:

➢ Use a multi-faceted approach to regularly communicate with businesses.

➢ Be safe but be present. That means being seen in person and virtually,

even as one engages in social distancing, not necessarily every day, but

perhaps every two to three days.

➢ Assign businesses to your downtown board and committee volunteers, in

order to check on the businesses in the district. Make sure you are

following the recommended guidelines for social distancing and taking

into consideration the board members that are in vulnerable groups.


➢ Survey small businesses to better understand their needs. o Example - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AvlChamber-COVID o Example - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TransylvaniaCOVID19

Communicate with the Community – Make it EASY to Support Local Businesses

➢ Compile (and frequently update) a list of local businesses offering online

shopping and share it widely via website(s) and social media. Ask

volunteers to help you keep this updated.

➢ Compile (and frequently update) a directory of restaurants providing

take-out and delivery services and share it widely via website(s) and social

media.

➢ Make videos to help promote takeout service offered by local restaurants. o Example - Video from Belmont, NC -

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qu0So_4n4I)

➢ Share web and social media posts from local businesses through your

social media outlets.

➢ Write and share stories about the businesses in your downtown. Create a

personal connection to encourage the community to support their

neighbors in this time of need.

➢ Share the commitment businesses are showing to protect public health

and the safety of customers, staff, etc., and the actions they are taking to

do so.

➢ Promote locally sourced products and local supply chains on web and

social media platforms.

Provide Technical Assistance

➢ Work one-on-one with businesses that may need assistance to increase

their online presence through their website, social media, email

newsletter, etc. Also, help businesses as needed update their Google My

Business profile.

➢ Work one-on-one with businesses to use technology (e.g. FaceTime,

Skype, Facebook Live, and others) to have live, face to face,

interactions/events with customers for buying/selling, responding to

inquiries, conducting meetings, etc.

➢ Work one-on-one with businesses to livestream educational programs,

fitness training, music and art lessons, gallery tours, and more.

➢ Work one-on-one with businesses to provide social activities/interactions

with and between customers (e.g. a brewery offering a virtual version of

its trivia nights or a salon previewing new trends, styles, and techniques).

➢ Work one-on-one with professional and service businesses to offer virtual

services such as telemedicine, counseling, and other

appointments/consultations.

➢ Organize a website through which interested businesses can sell their gift

cards/certificates to generate additional cash flow. o Example - #AshevilleStrong established to help western NC businesses sell

gift cards. FAQs section has a video on setting up a site in a few hours. o Example - #LoveHendo and LoveHendo.com established to support small

businesses in Hendersonville and Henderson County, NC.


Resources:

Articles

➢ Hitting the Pause Button on the Economy: Fund Small Business Relief of

COVID-19 Now – by Recast City, 03/15/2020.

➢ https://www.independentwestand.org/4-resources-small-businesses-

coping-coronavirus-outbreak/ - by Independent We Stand, 03/17/2020

➢ Marketing Your Business During Uncertainty – by Locable, 03/17/2020

➢ How to Rescue Main Street from Coronavirus Before It’s Too Late – by

Economic Innovation Group, 03/18/2020

➢ Small Business Task Force Unveils $300 Billion Emergency Coronavirus Relief

Package – by U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business &

Entrepreneurship, 03/19/2020

➢ COVID-19 Pandemic: What Small Businesses Can Do – by Institute for Local

Self Reliance, 03/19/2020

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 – Guide to Conquering A Business Crisis by SBTDC

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 – Local Government as a Lender: Emergency Loans for

Small Businesses by UNC School of Government, 3/20/2020

Agency Resources

➢ National Main Street Center - COVID-19 Main Street Resources - NEW

Resources Added

➢ National Main Street Center – COVID-19 Main Street Checklist

➢ NC Restaurant & Lodging Association – COVID-19 FAQ for Restaurant &

Hotels

➢ Resources for Small Businesses from Co Starters.

➢ UNC School of Government COVID-19 Resource Information

➢ Here We Grow NC by the NC League of Municipalities

➢ Best Practices for Farmers Markets – by NC State Extension

➢ COVID-19 And Food Safety FAQ by NC State Extension

Technology

➢ Creating a YouTube channel to talk about products, tell stories about the

business, etc.

(https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861?hl=en)

➢ Microsoft – Currently offering a free version of Microsoft Teams that allows

users to schedule video calls and conferences with no limit on the number

of participants.

➢ Google – Providing free access through July 1, 2020, to its advanced

Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities to all G Suite and G Suite

for Education customers.

➢ ShopLoyal™ (shoployal.com) – App that allows merchants to recognize

customer loyalty by providing a higher level of customer service, VIP

offers, personalized treatment, real time two-way messaging, and more.

Merchants register with ShopLoyal and pay a monthly subscription fee to

use it. The company offers a 60-day free trial. Shoppers can download the

app for free.


➢ Downtown Business Status Directory that can be added to your website –

from Locable




SMALL BUSINESS

TIPS & RESOURCES TO SUPPOR T TH E LOC AL ECON OMY






“Small businesses are more than just job providers, they are pillars of our communities.”

~ North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper

Tips for Small Businesses

Make Sure That Your Business Is Safe:

➢ Follow the NC Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

➢ Follow the Governor’s Executive Orders. NEW Executive Orders Added

➢ Text 898211 and write COVIDNC to receive Coronavirus text alerts.

Be A Leader:

➢ Tap into resources for assistance and share with your neighboring businesses.

o Call Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) at 800.228.8443.

BLNC staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Se Habla Español. There are Spanish-speaking counselors.

▪ Call volume in BLNC is expected to be high, and callers may need

to leave a message and await a returned call. Please be patient.

▪ BLNC counselors will gather basic information from callers and refer

the case to the most appropriate resource – small business experts

with the either the Small Business Technology Development Center

(SBTDC) or the state’s Small Business Center Network (SBCN) -- for

assistance.

▪ SBTDC and SBCN small business counselors will assess needs –

working, for example, to assist with the preparation of any U.S. Small

Business Administration (SBA) loan application materials that may

be appropriate.

o Direct employees to Unemployment Insurance System to the following

resources:

▪ The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at:

https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information

▪ Website is www.des.nc.gov and the call center is 888-737-0259.


o Federal Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is known for its flexible and

useful lending programs - especially in times of crisis. In the wake of the

coronavirus pandemic, SBA has redoubled efforts to administer its

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Working with state governors, SBA

will fund low-interest loans for businesses and non-profit organizations that

have been severely impacted by the outbreak. Loans may total up to $2

million and provide targeted, short-term support to help borrowers

compensate for revenue losses caused by the virus. Learn more about the

Disaster Loan Program at www.sba.gov/disaster.

o NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program

The Golden LEAF Foundation announces $15 million in funding to launch a

rapid recovery loan program in response to economic losses related to

Coronavirus (COVID-19). Golden LEAF funding will support the NC COVID-

19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program by enabling loans to be made to

eligible businesses for up to $50,000 with zero interest and no payments for

six months. If not repaid in six months, the loan will automatically convert

to a term loan. The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program

(https://ncrapidrecovery.org/) is managed by the NC Rural Center, a

statewide nonprofit that has been supporting small business owners for

more than 30 years. Read press release here.

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 Register essential industries: o https://www.manufacturednc.com/ [manufacturednc.com]

o https://hub.bio.org/ [hub.bio.org]

o www.carolinatextiledistrict

o NC Emergency Management has a process to vet businesses and allow

them the ability to move IF an emergency or shelter in place is declared,

should their usual operations warrant such.

▪ Businesses should email [email protected]. In the email, they should

provide the following:

1. Business name

2. Point of Contact including:

-name

-email

-phone number

-address

3. Nature of their business and why they are critical to continue

operations

4. Business website

➢ Federal Tax Income filing and payment deadline has been extended to

7/15/2020.

➢ Research business interruption insurance and apply if you qualify.

➢ Reach out to your Main Street Organization, Chamber of Commerce, and/or

Town/City Government for technical assistance, resources, and information.

➢ Find ways to help neighboring business owners connect and build relationships.


o Example: Ask community leaders (business, government, education, religious,

neighborhood, etc.) who are already “connectors” to help. Have each contact

five business owners, for example, and talk about how they can get to know

each other. Business owners may learn that the product or service or helping

hand they need is just down the street. They may also find businesses that are

willing to trade goods and services or delay, or even waive, payment for them.

Source: Hitting the Pause Button on the Economy: Fund Small Business Relief of

COVID-19 Now

➢ Work with neighboring businesses and community leaders to brainstorm new

forms of revenue. o Example: Work with small business owners to help them identify new needs being

generated by COVID-19. Are there products or services that are and could be in

demand that existing businesses could provide, at least in the short-term? Ask

business owners to participate in brainstorming sessions with five other businesses,

for example, to discuss potential business opportunities.

Source: Hitting the Pause Button on the Economy: Fund Small Business Relief of

COVID-19 Now

➢ Use this time to take some additional online business courses to come back even

stronger when you reopen. Encourage a neighboring business to take the

courses with you.

➢ If you are a property owner, try to offer free or reduced rent for business tenants

for a specified period (or defer it). Business retention is a better long-term

economic development strategy than business recruitment.

Increase Your Online Presence:

➢ Tell people if your business is open. Post its status, plans, and hours prominently on

your website, social media, in an email newsletter, etc. Also update your Google

My Business profile. If you need assistance, contact your Main Street

Organization, Chamber of Commerce, Town/City Government, or a local

technology business for help.

➢ Share the business’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of

customers, staff, etc., and steps it is taking to do so.

➢ Promote existing and new product offerings, services and experiences that are

available now or will be in the future (e.g. offer bundles items, such as books,

puzzles, art supplies, etc., that could keep homebound families busy).

➢ Develop online shopping list services. For example, many grocery stores offer

grocery pickup or delivery to customers who submit shopping lists online.

➢ Advertise discounts and sales for online orders.

➢ Sell gift cards for future use.

➢ Cross promote your goods and services with other businesses to increase

revenue for more than one business.

➢ Share web and social media posts from local businesses through your social

media outlets.

➢ Promote locally sourced products and local supply chains on web and social

media platforms.

➢ Offer a Frequent Buyer Discount Program for 3 purchases per week.

Offer Virtual Services:


➢ Use technology (e.g. FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Live, and others). If you need

assistance, contact your Main Street Organization, Chamber of Commerce,

Town/City Government, or a local technology business for help.

➢ Have live, face to face, interactions/events with customers for buying/selling,

responding to inquiries, conducting meetings, etc. (e.g. personal shopper

service).

➢ Livestream educational programs, fitness training, music and art lessons, gallery

tours, cooking classes, and more.

➢ Provide virtual social activities/interactions with and between customers (e.g. a

brewery offering a virtual version of its trivia nights or a salon previewing new

trends, styles, and techniques, etc.).

➢ Conduct telemedicine, counseling, and other appointments/consultations.

Increase Communication:

➢ Write stories about your business to build a personal connection between your

business and your community.

➢ Keep your Business Top of Mind by dressing up your windows.

Offer Delivery, Pickup, and Subscription Services:

Enhance or establish services to:

➢ Allow for telephone, online, text, etc., ordering and (curbside, back door, or

other location) pickup or delivery of products such as groceries, pet supplies,

meals, etc.

➢ Partner with local delivery services or use those offered by larger businesses such

as Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, etc.

➢ Offer free shipping for retail items as a means of increasing online sales.

➢ Become a personal shopper and offer to do the shopping for your customers.

➢ Offer subscriptions for customers to order and have products such as meals,

produce, fresh-roasted coffee, etc., delivered according to a schedule (e.g.

“subscribe and save” discounts; coffee of the month; etc.).

Resources:

Articles

➢ Hitting the Pause Button on the Economy: Fund Small Business Relief of COVID-19

Now – by Recast City, 03/15/2020.

➢ https://www.independentwestand.org/4-resources-small-businesses-coping-

coronavirus-outbreak/ - by Independent We Stand, 03/17/2020

➢ Marketing Your Business During Uncertainty – by Locable, 03/17/2020

➢ How to Rescue Main Street from Coronavirus Before It’s Too Late – by Economic

Innovation Group, 03/18/2020

➢ Small Business Task Force Unveils $300 Billion Emergency Coronavirus Relief

Package – by U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship,

03/19/2020

➢ COVID-19 Pandemic: What Small Businesses Can Do – by Institute for Local Self

Reliance, 03/19/2020

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 – Online Strategies for Retailers during COVID-19 by Arnett

Muldrow & Associates

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 -Not “Business As Usual” by Buxton Co.


Agency Resources

➢ National Main Street Center - COVID-19 Main Street Resources - NEW Resources

Added

➢ National Main Street Center – COVID-19 Main Street Checklist

➢ NC Restaurant & Lodging Association – COVID-19 FAQ for Restaurant & Hotels

➢ Resources for Small Businesses from Co Starters.

➢ Here We Grow NC by the NC League of Municipalities

➢ Best Practices for Farmers Markets – by NC State Extension

➢ COVID-19 And Food Safety FAQ by NC State Extension

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 – Guide to Conquering A Business Crisis by SBTDC

Technology

➢ Creating a YouTube channel to talk about products, tell stories about the

business, etc. (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861?hl=en)

➢ Microsoft – Currently offering a free version of Microsoft Teams that allows users

to schedule video calls and conferences with no limit on the number of

participants.

➢ Google – Providing free access through July 1, 2020, to its advanced Hangouts

Meet video-conferencing capabilities to all G Suite and G Suite for Education

customers.

➢ ShopLoyal™ (shoployal.com) – App that allows merchants to recognize

customer loyalty by providing a higher level of customer service, VIP offers,

personalized treatment, real time two-way messaging, and more. Merchants

register with ShopLoyal and pay a monthly subscription fee to use it. The

company offers a 60-day free trial. Shoppers can download the app for free.

➢ NEW 3/27/2020 - WooCommerce – eCommerce site that works with Wordpress to

get online sales up fast!



SBA’s Disaster Declaration Makes Loans Available Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Administrator Jovita Carranza

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provide by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplement Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

U.S. Small Business -Office of Disaster Assistance-Field Operations Center - East2

What businesses are eligible to apply?SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (or working capital loans) are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations

This includes:• Businesses directly affected by the disaster• Businesses that offer services directly related to the businesses

in the declaration• Other businesses indirectly related to the industry that are likely

to be harmed by losses in their community(Example: Manufacturer of widgets may be eligible as well as the wholesaler and retailer of the product.

3

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Basics

3U.S. Small Business -Office of Disaster Assistance-Field Operations Center - East

4

What is the criteria for a loan approval?

Credit History-Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.

Repayment –SBA must determine that the applicant business has the ability to repay the SBA loan.

Eligibility- The applicant business must be physically located in a declared county and suffered working capital losses due to the declared disaster, not due to a downturn in the economy or other reasons.


U.S. Small Business -Office of Disaster Assistance-Field Operations Center - East

5

How much can I borrow?

Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million.

The interest rates for this disaster are 3.75 percent for small businesses and2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years.

Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size (must be asmall business) and type of business and its financial resources.

How can I use the loan funds?

These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll,accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disasternot occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits orfor expansion.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Terms


What are the collateral requirements?

•Economic Injury Disaster Loans over $25,000 require collateral.

•SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available.

•SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but requires borrowers to pledge what is available.

6

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Terms


7

What kinds of small businesses can apply?

Examples of eligible industries include but are not limited to the following: hotels, recreational facilities, charter boats, manufacturers, sports vendors, owners of rental property, restaurants, retailers, souvenir shops, travel agencies, and wholesalers.


What other criteria is involved?

The applicant business must have a physical presence in the declared disaster area. An applicant’s economic presence alone in a declared area does not meet this requirement. The physical presence must be tangible and significant. Merely having a P.O. Box in the disaster area would not qualify as a physical presence.


8

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDLs) funds come directly from the U.S. Treasury.

Applicants do not go through a bank to apply. Instead apply directly to SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program at: DisasterLoan.sba.gov

There is no cost to apply.

There is no obligation to take the loan if offered.

The maximum unsecured loan amount is $25,000.

Applicants can have an existing SBA Disaster Loan and still qualify for an EIDL for this disaster, but the loans cannot be consolidated.

SBA’s Working Capital Loans are Different from Other SBA Loans


Basic Filing Requirements

9

• Completed SBA loan application (SBA Form 5 or SBA Form 5C for sole proprietorships.)

• Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T)

for the applicant, principals and affiliates.

• Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.

• Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202).

• Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413).

Other Information may also be requested.

*Although a paper application and forms are acceptable, filing electronically is easier, faster and more accurate.


Additional Filing Requirements

10

Other information that may be requested:• Complete copy, including all schedules, of the most recent Federal

income tax return for principals, general partners or managing member, and affiliates (see filing requirements for more information).

• If the most recent Federal income tax return has not been filed, a year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year .

• A current year-to-date profit-and-loss statement .

• Additional Filing Requirements (SBA Form 1368) providing monthly sales figures. (This is especially important for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.)



Private Non-Profit Organizations

Examples of Non-Profit Organizations: Nursing homes, food kitchens,museums, educational facilities, senior citizen centers, daycare centers,playhouses, community centers, shelters, rescue organizations, associations,etc.

An eligible private non-profit organization is a non-governmental agency orentity that currently has:(1) An effective ruling letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, grantingtax exemption under sections 501(c), (d), or (e) of the Internal Revenue Codeof 1954, or(2) Satisfactory evidence from the State that the non-revenue producingorganization or entity is a non-profit one organized or doing business underState law.


Private Non-Profit Organizations

1. Articles of Incorporation* 2. By-Laws 3. Charter, if applicable 4. Board of Directors Resolution giving approval to apply to the SBA for disaster loan. (This requirement may be provided subsequent to the offer of a loan). 5. Complete copies of the organization’s most recent non-profit tax returns OR a copy of the organization’s IRS tax-exempt certification and complete copies of the organization’s three most recent years operating results. 6. A current Balance Sheet and Operating Statement dated within 90 days of the application. 7. Name and address of all officers, trustees, and directors 8. Organization affiliation, if any. 9. Name, address, and phone numbers of all insurance companies providing coverage at the date of the disaster along with all policy numbers, copies of policy coverage pages and recovery settlements to date, if any 10. Specifics of all disaster related grants and/or funds received from FEMA

*If incorporated Additional Information needed for Churches 1. Complete copies of organization’s most recent non-profit tax returns (or a copy of the exempt filing form showing 501(c)(3) status) and complete copies of the organization’s three most recent year’s income statements.

Additional Information for Condo and Other Owner Associations 1. Complete copy of any Declaration of Condominium, Association, or Easement 2. Complete copy of association Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&R’s) 3. Master deed for common areas containing area legal description unless legal description is included within above documents4. List of names and addresses for all unit owners 5. Complete copy of the master insurance policies in effect as of the date of the disaster along with copies of recovery settlement information received to date. 6. Documentation of any special assessments approved by the organization related to disaster repairs.

SBA DISASTER LOAN DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS Non-Profit Organizations, Churches and Associations

Ineligible EntitiesWhat are some of the businesses that are ineligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

• Agricultural Enterprises -If the primary activity of the business (including its affiliates) is as defined in Section 18(b)(1) of the Small Business Act, neither the business nor its affiliates are eligible for EIDL assistance.

• Religious Organizations

• Charitable Organizations, businesses considered hobbies, government-owned concerns.

• Gambling Concerns (Ex: Concerns that derive more that 1/3 of their annual gross revenue from legal gambling activities)

• Casinos & Racetracks (Ex: Businesses whose purpose for being is gambling (e.g., casinos, racetracks, poker parlors, etc.) are not eligible for EIDL assistance regardless of 1/3 criteria above.

• Real estate developers-establishments primarily engaged in subdividing real property into lots and developing it for resale on their own account.


How to Apply

14

• Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) viaSBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

• Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster.Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small BusinessAdministration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 KingsportRoad, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

• Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained bycalling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955(800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email [email protected].


SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are ready to serve.

How to Apply

15

Enclosed are the application forms and the NC Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Fact Sheet for basic information about the program. Please start with the fact sheet (last enclosure) to familiarize yourself with the program. All forms requiring a signature must be signed and dated. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. When complete, you may send your application by opting for one of the following:

Email to: [email protected]

Fax to: 202-481-1505

Mail hard copies to:U.S. Small Business AdministrationProcessing and Disbursement Center14925 Kingsport Rd.Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243

For application questions, please call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] .


SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are ready to serve.

Assistance From SBA Partners

16

Free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparingfinancial statements and submitting the loan application is availablefrom any of SBA’s partners: Small Business Development Centers(SBDCs), SCORE, Women’s Business Centers (WBC), and Veteran’sBusiness Outreach Centers and local Chambers of Commerce.

For the nearest office, visit: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance


Assistance From SBA Partners

17

The following SBA backed organizations provide assistance to small businesses in the state of North Carolina; email and phone counseling are available.

Small Business and Technology and Development Center (SBTDC): http://www.sbtdc.org/

SCORE: https://www.score.org/

Veterans Business Outreach Center: https://www.fsuvboc.com/

Women’s Business Centers:

Asheville area: https://www.wwbcnc.org/Charlotte area: https://theinstitutenc.org/programs/wbcc/Fayetteville area: https://www.wbcfay.org/Raleigh-Durham area: https://theinstitutenc.org/programs/womens-business-center-of-north-carolina/


For Help Filling out the SBA Disaster Loan Application

Submit Your Application As Soon As Possible

18

Recheck the filing requirements to ensure that all the neededinformation is submitted.

The biggest reason for delays in processing is due to missinginformation. Make sure to complete all filing requirements beforesubmitting the application and forms.

If more funds are needed, applicants can submit supportingdocuments and a request for an increase. If less funds areneeded, applicants can request a reduction in the loan amount.

If the loan request is denied, the applicant will be given up to sixmonths in which to provide new information and submit a writtenrequest for reconsideration.


Any Questions?

More information concerningSBA and its programs visit our website at:

www.sba.gov/disaster19


small businesses need customers! tips to support …follow the social media channels for small...

Documents