COVID-19 Resources

NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY

COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance

The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The Pennsylvania CDFI Network will administer several rounds of funding to the best qualified applicants. This is not a first-come, first-served program. Learn more about eligibility, requirements, and application process here →

En Español: Grant del Gobierno de Pennsylvania a Pequeñas Empresas →

Additional information:

The application is expected to open on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
Western PA CDFIs that will be accepting applications will include:
Download Factsheet →

The IEE will continue to serve in whatever capacity we can and help with whatever situations are impacting business owners as a result of the pandemic. If you have specific questions or wish to contact for other assistance, please email iee@innovation.pitt.edu.

Note: The resource information provided below is subject to change from the source. We here at the IEE are attempting to keep it as current and accurate as possible, and are adding new links as information or updates are communicated.

Federal Government
State Government
Local Resources
Financial Resources (State & Local)
Business Links
Webinars

COVID-19 Small Business Loan Programs Quick Guide [PDF]

COVID-19 Small Business Preparedness Checklist [PDF]

Path to Reopening Quick Guide [PDF]

Paycheck Protection Program

Note: Passed 4/24, more PPP & EIDL funds are available – $310 billion and $60 billion respectively. Banks will begin processing applications for this next round on Monday, April 27. Please contact your bank for more information.

PPP Flexibility Act of 2020 Guidance (new 6/25)

PPP Revisions to Interim Final Rule (IFR) (new 6/11)

PPP Borrower Application Revised June 2020 SBA Form 2483 (06/20)

PPP Loan Forgiveness Instructions Form 3508EZ (new 6/22)

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508EZ (new 6/22)

PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form 3508 (new 6/22)

PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculator (AICPA)

PPP Loans Frequently Asked Questions (updated 4/26)

Guide to Tracking Your Paycheck Protection Loans and Expenses (PA SBDC) (new 5/4)

PPP How to Calculate Maximum Loan Amount – By Business Type (updated 4/24)

Overview – Paycheck Protection Program

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) vs. PPP

PPP & EIDL Comparison Guide

Information Sheet – Paycheck Protection Program (updated 4/3)

Press Release – Paycheck Protection Program

Find Eligible PPP Lenders (SBA)

CARES ACT/PPP: UPDATES AND PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAXIMIZING LOAN FORGIVENESS AND TAX CREDITS

Presented by Cohen & Company
Recorded Tuesday, May 19, 2020 @ 12:00PM
→ Video (YouTube) run time ~ 57:40

→ Webinar Slides – CAREs Act/PPP: Updates and Planning Recommendations for Maximizing Loan Forgiveness and Tax Credits [PDF]

→ FAQs from Webinar – CAREs Act/PPP: Updates and Planning Recommendations for Maximizing Loan Forgiveness and Tax Credits [PDF]

Back To Work/Workplace Safety

PDF: Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes (CDC)
PDF: Decision Tool: Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes (CDC)
PDF: REVISED Guidance on COVID-19 for Dental Health Care Personnel in Pennsylvania 5.8.2020 (PA Dept. of Health)
PDF: Reopening Businesses with Workers at Risk for Serious Illness (CDC)
PDF: CDC Guidance for Childcare Centers (CDC)
PDF: Guidance for Businesses Permitted to Operate During the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency to Ensure the Safety and Health of Employees and the Public (PA Office of the Governor)
PDF: Prepare your Small Business and Employees for the Effects of COVID-19 (CDC)
PDF: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)
Playbook: Powering Manufacturing Potential During and After COVID-19 (Catalyst Connection) – form completion required for download

Small Business Development Center (SBDS) Consulting

SBDC Business Consultants are available for individual meetings by phone or real-time video conferencing on multiple platforms. The team will continue to work with our existing clients as well as take on new clients and referrals.

Current SBDC Clients should reach out directly to their SBDC Business Consultant.

New requests for for-profit small business assistance can contact us by:

E-mail: sbdc@innovation.pitt.edu
Call 412-648-1542 and leave a message. We are checking and returning messages regularly

Federal Government

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act [PDF] (from Western PA Partnership of Chambers)
Small Business Provisions in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [PDF]

SBA Financial Resources

- Disaster Loan Assistance Information (U.S. Small Business Administration)
  - NOTE: The SBA directs the use of Internet Explorer (or Microsoft Edge) to complete the online application
  - NOTE: SBA Disaster Declaration has been approved for PA. Businesses in PA can now apply for the federal assistance.
  - Disaster Loan Assistance Online Application (U.S. SBA)
  - Disaster Loan Assistance Application (U.S. SBA)
- Disaster Assistance in Response to Coronavirus (U.S. SBA)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (U.S. SBA)

US Department of Labor

Federal Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (U.S. Department of Labor)
Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (U.S. Department of Labor)

US Chamber of Commerce

Quick Guide: Small Business Disaster Recovery [PDF] (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Other Federal Resources

Cardin, Bipartisan Senate Task Force Secure $377 Billion for Small Businesses (U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship)
COVID-19 Guidance (Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA))
Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak (World Health Organization (WHO))
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information & resources (CDC)
Three new credits are available to many businesses hit by COVID-19 (IRS)

State Government

Life-Sustaining Business FAQ 5.8.2020 (Office of the Governor)
Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations (PA Dept. of Health)
NEW PA Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for independent contractors (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry)
PA COVID-19 Update (PA Department of Health)
PA Governor Wolf’s Facebook Page (Updates on health, business, etc. relevant information)
COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development)
General Assembly Agrees to Transfer $61 Million From CFA To Small Business Loan Program (Commonwealth of PA)
Industry Operation Guidance 3.21.2020 (Office of the Governor)
Governor Wolf Closure Order 3.19.2020 (Office of the Governor)
Secretary Levine Closure Order 3.19.2020 (Department of Health)
Detailed List of Life-sustaining and Non-life-sustaining businesses
- Exemption Request: RA-dcexemption@pa.gov
- Questions regarding mandatory closure: RA-dcedcs@pa.gov
COVID-19 Business Resources (PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development)
Business Resources for Coronavirus (PA Chamber)
Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry)
COVID-19 and Employer Unemployment Compensation FAQs (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry)
How to file for unemployment (Office of Unemployment Compensation)
Closure Press Release

Local Resources

URA Announces Additional Steps to Help Mitigate Potential Ramifications of COVID-19 to Small Business Community [PDF] (Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh)
Allegheny Conference on Community Development (Economic Development)
COVID-19 Information (Allegheny County)

Financial Resources (state/local)

Paycheck Protection Program Information and Application (PNC)
Coronavirus Bridge Loan program (Hebrew Free Loan Association Pittsburgh)
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loans (DVI Funding)
Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Loan Relief (Honeycomb Credit)
URA Loans (Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh)
Economic Development (Allegheny County Economic Development)
Regional Development Funding Corporation
Bridgeway Capital
Progress Fund
Fay-Penn Loan Programs (Fay-Pen Economic Development Council)
Northside Community Development Fund
Washington County Council on Economic Development
Greene County Economic Development
Lawrence County Economic Development
Butler County Economic Development
SPC Financing Programs (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)
Financial Programs (Catalyst Connection)

Business Links

Disruption Recovery Resources (PA Small Business Development Centers)
COVID-19 Security Resource Library (National Cyber Security Alliance)
Business Continuity Planner (DisasterSafety.org)
COVID-19 Small Business Resources (America’s SBDC)
Best Practices for Remote-Managing Your Small Business (USA Today)
65 Free Tools to Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic (Entrepreneur)
Henderson Brothers, Inc. (Insurance)
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (Economic Development)
Catalyst Connection (Manufacturer Resource)

Webinars

QUICKBOOKS FINANCIAL STATEMENT ESSENTIALS

Recorded Thursday, May 14, 2020 (run time 57:47)
Presented by Wilke & Associates, CPAs

HOW COVID-19 WILL TRIGGER GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN REALIGNMENT

Recorded Tuesday, May 5, 2020 (run time 58:00)
Presented by Dennis Unkovic of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, LLP and David Iwinski, Jr. of Blue Water Growth

REGIONAL ECONOMIC UPDATE

Recorded Thursday, April 9, 2020 (run time 37:43)
Presented by PNC Chief Economist Gus Faucher