News

COVID-19 Resources for Small Business Owners

Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• What you need to know. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

City of Columbia:

Columbia Small Businesses -How is COVID-19 Impacting you?

• The City of Columbia is extremely concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our small business community.  They recognize the challenges you are facing at this unprecedented time in our nation.  They would like to reach out to you to assess the needs of your business at this time.  Please answer the following questions so that they can determine the best way the City of Columbia can serve you during these challenging times.  Please respond by March 27, 2020.
• Click here to begin survey 

Economic Development Office (EDO):

• Business resources applicable to businesses of ALL sizes

Internal Revenue Services (IRS):

• Small and midsize employers can claim two new refundable payroll tax credits to reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing employee leave related to the COVID-19 outbreak. See #IRS info at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus

• Businesses with less than 500 employees can get funds either to provide employees with paid leave for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. More on this and other #IRS info related to COVID-19 outbreak at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus

• To take immediate advantage of new paid leave credits, businesses can retain and access funds that they would otherwise pay to #the IRS in payroll taxes. Learn more about this and other #IRS info related to COVID-19 outbreak at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus

• Another update! Please see the latest filing and paying information on the link below!  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/payment-deadline-extended-to-july-15-2020

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

• COVID-19, https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

SCORE:

• How Small Businesses Can Prepare for the Coronavirus https://www.score.org/blog/how-small-businesses-can-prepare-for-coronavirus

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the entire state of South Carolina
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
• Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

 Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to:

                   U.S. Small Business Administration,

                   Processing and Disbursement Center,

                   4925 Kingsport Road,        

                   Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020.
For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: www.Coronavirus.gov 

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.

Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster

The Municipal Association of South Carolina:
SC COVID-19 resources to small businesses in cities and towns across SC
•https://www.masc.sc/Pages/Small-Business-Support.aspx

Private and Non Profit Support Links:

•Central Carolina Community Foundation https://yourfoundation.org/cccf‐responds‐to‐covid‐19/

•Community Support Opportunities:  https://colatoday.6amcity.com/give‐back‐to‐community‐columbia‐sc/

•Dominion: https://www.dominionenergy.com/company/community/dominion‐energy‐
charitable‐foundation/coronavirus‐relief 

•Facebook Small Business Grants: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants

•JPMorgan Chase, Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, Ascend, and Community Development Financial Institution Partners, funding limit TBD, $8M donation: https://impact.jpmorganchase.com/impact/our‐approach/small‐business‐expansion

•United Way: www.uway.org/covid19 

Click here to download resource page.

The following message was issued by Darrell Jones, USC Region Director, SC SBDC:

The Small Business Administration has announced Disaster Assistance Loans are available for small businesses in South Carolina that have been economically injured by the COVID-19 Disaster. Consultants at your local SBDC are ready to assist with the loan application process via telephone, email and online systems. The SBA has made the application process available online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/  The SBDC is in constant contact with local SBA officials to provide  clients and small business owners with current information on disaster assistance. 

If you have any questions, please contact your local SBDC office.

Aiken - 803.641.3646
Beaufort - 843.521.4143
Charleston - 843.740.6160
Columbia - 803.777.5118
Hilton Head - 843.208.8259
Newberry - 803.321.5689
Sumter - 803.938.3833

Business Owners Reminded to Renew Their Business Licenses

Richland County business owners are reminded to renew their business licenses and are encouraged to do so online in order to save time and receive a $10 discount.

All Richland County business licenses expired Dec. 31, 2019. It’s important for business owners – especially those who operate out of homes – to understand the necessity of obtaining an up-to-date  license. The deadline for acquiring a 2020 business license without penalties is March 15. To renew Richland County business licenses online, visit richlandcountysc.gov/bsc. For more information, email bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-576-2287.