COVID-19 NCPA LaunchBox Resources

Regional Broadband Study

The North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission is conducting a broadband study to determine gaps in service and low-serviced areas in the north central PA region. Please click on this SURVEY to participate, business and individuals are encouraged to complete and share.

Resource Contacts

Restaurant Guidelines and Increased Capacity Starting September 21 (9/9/2020)

Pennsylvania SBDC Agriculture Center of Exxcellence (9/8/2020)

This joint initiative, funded by the CARES Act, will allow us to help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses sustain operations and stabilize food supply chains in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, check out our recent story in Penn State News. 

Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) (7/6/2020) SBA Resource Guide

The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) has served as a resource for nonprofits, businesses and neighborhoods for over 30 years. NAP includes five subparts: regular NAP, NPP (Neighborhood Partnership Program), SPP (Special Priorities Program), CFP (Charitable Food Program), and EZP (Enterprise Zone Program). The goals of NAP are to promote community participation and collaborations among nonprofits, businesses and residents while producing outcomes which assist a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. NAP application is open from July 1 - August 31, 2020.

• NAP Guidelines 2020
• NAP Brochure 2020
• NAP Tax Benefits For Business Firms 2020

Checklist for business owners (4/13/2020)

Have You? As we all work to navigate through the current COVID-19 situation, here is a mini-checklist to help business owners ensure that are taking the steps they can… 

_____ Bank/Lender - Contacted your bank/lender re: deferring your loan and mortgage payments
_____ Credit Card Company – Request a deferment 
_____ Landlord – Asked your landlord to work with you on your rental payment amounts and due dates to assist you temporarily
_____ Employees – referred your employees you do not have work for to file for Unemployment Compensation or considered Shared Work
_____ Financial Information – updated your financial information for your business and for you to assist in loan applications and other financial planning purposes
_____ Social Media – are your Facebook page and other social media business accounts updated

Important Links

COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (4/15/2020)

Unemployment Compensation for Self Employed (4/13/2020) 

This will be provided as a result of the 3rd stimulus package – the CARES Act. Guidance is still being written by the U.S. Department of Labor and applications are not available yet. Please do not file a traditional Unemployment Compensation application. Additional information will be provided as it is available. You may refer to the PA Department of Labor and Industry website for updates.

Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal (4/7/2020)

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development – in collaboration with its strategic partners – wants to mobilize manufacturers that can produce critical medical supplies and products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are a current manufacturer of supplies and products or can pivot your existing manufacturing capabilities to meet the necessary demand, we want to hear from you.

The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal allows us to:

• Match manufacturers and distributors to fill specific supply chain needs to meet increasing demands for medical supplies and related products.
• Assist manufacturers that have workforce needs or gaps and aid them in identifying skilled workers.
• Identify manufacturers that can pivot or innovate to fulfill the demand for medical supplies and related products.

SBA Programs For COVID-19 Impacted Businesses (4/6/2020)

• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• PIDA Low-Interest Loans
• SBA Paycheck Protection (see below)

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (4/6/2020)

• The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
• SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

US Department of the Treasury - Assistance for Small Businesses (4/3/2020)

SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

• Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
• SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application 
  • The state of Pennsylvania is now eligible for SBA Disaster Relief loans. Use this portal to apply. Schedule a virtual meeting with an SBDC consultant if you need assistance. 
• SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus 
  • Although a declaration has not yet been made for how the SBA Disaster Assistance program will impact Pennsylvania Businesses, the most up to date information from the SBA can be found here.

PA SBDC Disruption Recovery

• The Pennsylvania SBDCs have experience helping small businesses secure federal or state disaster loans and provide post-disaster counseling to assist business owners in their recovery efforts. 

PA Department of Labor and Industry Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19

• If you are employed in Pennsylvania and are unable to work because of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), you may be eligible for Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefits.
• The Department of Labor & Industry will continue to provide important employment benefit updates as the situation evolves.

PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Business COVID-19 Resources

• Businesses have a vast network of services that they can contact to discuss the impact of the Coronavirus on their daily operations and the future of their business. Staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), as well as local partner networks, are available to help businesses through this challenging time.

PA Chamber Business Resources for Corona Virus

• The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is dedicated to helping business across the Commonwealth. Now that the coronavirus has made its way to the U.S., the chamber is providing resources for Pennsylvania businesses about how to help their company, their employees and their families.

CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019

• This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

PA Department of Health PA COVID-19 Updates

• Check here for the latest information regarding the impacts of COVID-19 across the state.  
• PA Department of Health Information: Coronavirus Business Fact Sheet 
  • This fact sheet has key information to help your business prepare for the spread of COVID-19. Due to this evolving situation, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 webpage for frequently updated information, guidance, and materials.

SCORE Guidance for Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Outbreak

• With the recent news and concerns of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), SCORE is sharing the latest business resources, assistance and guidance. 

Google for Small Business COVID-19 Resources

Google has compiled tips, resources, and recommendations to help small businesses navigate COVID-10 for their employees and customers. 

Facebook for Business Resource Hub

• Facebook has developed a resource center to provided small businesses with resources to help them navigate any unexpected challenges they may face during the COVID-19 outbreak. 
• Facebook Small Business Grants Program
  • Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help small businesses experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19.

North West IRC

• Resources for Manufacturers

COVID-19 Working Capitol Access Program (CWCA) (added 3/26)

• Access point for this program:  Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) for county where business is located (Find it here)
• Eligible Businesses: Any for-profit businesses located in PA and with 100 or fewer employees worldwide may qualify for disaster relief loans.
• Your application must be processed through the CEDO designated for the county where your business is physically located. 
• Loan Amount: The lesser of 3 months of working capital not to exceed a loan amount of $100,000

Legal clinic at Happy Valley LaunchBox expands scope in response to pandemic