COVID-19 Funding Help Center

COVID-19 Disaster Funding Programs Resources

Find what you need to navigate your small business through this unprecedented time. We’re here for you - we want to help you keep your dreams alive.

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Covid-19 Related Funding Support Program Options

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)

$16 billion appropriated to support live-venue operators who had to shutter operations due to Covid-19 restrictions.  This program is administered directly by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Find more information about program details, eligibility, and how to apply at this sba.gov webpage.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)

$28.6 billion was appropriated for this grant program supporting the restaurant industry to include a wide variety of food service business types.  This program is administered directly by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and was launched on Monday, May 3rd.  For more information about program details, eligibility, the use of funds, and how to register and apply go to this SBA.gov webpage.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

A loan program administered directly by the Small Business Administration (SBA) designed to help businesses meet their financial obligations (operating expenses) impacted by the effects of Covid-19.  To learn more and apply for this program, go to this SBA.gov webpage.

SBA Targeted EIDL Advance

This SBA grant program reaches out directly to eligible businesses in targeted low-income communities to offer additional funds to small businesses and ensure business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency.  For more information on this program see this webpage.

Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

Established to help encourage businesses to retain their employees during the Covid-19 crisis.  This tax credit can be taken by businesses, as appropriate, regardless of whether they participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  For more information see this Internal Revenue Service news release, or contact your accountant or bookkeeper to see if this program might apply to your business.

SBA Debt Relief

The Small Business Administration (SBA) was also directed to provide debt relief via deferrals or direct payments to some existing (pre-Covid) SBA loans.  For more details on the program see this webpage, or contact your SBA lender to learn more about the specific terms and eligibility of your pre-Covid SBA loans. 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

This forgivable loan program was designed to help small business owners keep their staff on payroll, and to pay for certain eligible business expenses (rent, mortgage interest, and/or utilities) during the economic downturn due to the impact of Covid-19

New Loan Applications

Despite the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) deadline for approving new loans being extended from March 31st until May 31st, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced in early May that the remaining funds had been exhausted.  If you have a PPP application pending with your lender, reach out to them directly to confirm your status.

Forgiveness Applications

If you have a PPP loan issued in 2020, contact your lender to initiate your application for forgiveness.  

All Mountain BizWorks PPP borrowers with 2020 issued loans have been notified and invited via a personalized email to submit their Forgiveness Application via our online portal.  The email contains a unique link for each borrower to enter, prepare, and submit their application.  If you have not received your email from Mountain BizWorks, please reach out to us at pppf@mountainbizworks.org so we can resend your personalized invitation email.

For more specific information go to PPP Forgiveness Process 

PPP Borrowers with 2021 issued loans, either First Draw, or those who had come back for Second Draws, have also recently been invited to apply for Forgiveness.  All Mountain BizWorks PPP borrowers with 2021 issued loans have been notified and invited via a personalized email to submit their Forgiveness Application via our online portal.  The email contains a unique link for each borrower to enter, prepare, and submit their application – please follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the email. 

These emails were sent on April 29th to the email address submitted on the applications (please check your Spam Folder if you do not see the email in your Inbox.)

If you have not received your email from Mountain BizWorks, please reach out to us at pppf@mountainbizworks.org so we can resend your personalized invitation email.

For more specific information from Mountain BizWorks on navigating through the process go to PPP Forgiveness Process webpage.

Find Answers

Join us for our weekly webinar

Get the latest information on a new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funding approved as part of the new Stimulus Package passed by Congress at the end of 2020. As this new round is rolled out, we’ll share what we know, what you should expect, anticipated timelines, where to find resources, and how to participate. We’ll share the latest information, then open up the Zoom session for questions for our Mountain BizWork panel to help you make the right decision and navigate the process. We’ll focus primarily on the PPP program, but will also briefly outline some of the alternative support provided for in the latest Stimulus Package. If you can’t make it for the live sessions, we do plan to record the sessions and make them available on our website.

Get more info

Apply for Programs

Here are some resources to help you apply

As an experienced and approved lender for the PPP Loan program, we can help you prepare and apply for a PPP loan (either as a first time applicant, or as a returning Mountain BizWorks PPP borrower here for another round of funding). If you are interested in any of the other funding assistance resources, please use the link below to be directed to the appropriate organization. They can help you determine whether those options may be a good fit, and how to proceed with getting financial assistance.

Learn more

Talk to a Specialist

Schedule a 25 min Technical Assistance Session

To help our clients and other WNC small business owners navigate, prepare for, and access the various COVID-19 funding resources, Mountain BizWorks has established a response task force of Disaster Response Funding Specialists. Whether you're coming to us with questions about PPP forgiveness, your second draw, or your first time, schedule time here.

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Upcoming Webinars and Q&A Sessions

We’ll be running weekly webinars and Q&A sessions where small businesses and nonprofits can get advice and ask questions.

 

Find Technical Assistance in Your Area

All of our region’s community colleges house a Small Business Center that are providing invaluable PPP and COVID response support to area businesses. Connect with the one that serves your community: A-B Tech SBCBlue Ridge SBCCCC&TI SBCCleveland County SBCHaywood SBCIsothermal SBCMayland SBCMcDowell Tech SBCSouthwestern SBCTri-County SBCWestern Piedmont SBC, and Wilkes SBC. The SBTDC and Western Women’s Business Center are also excellent resources providing support on the SBA relief programs and more.

 

Other Questions?

If you were unable to find an answer to your question above, you are welcome to submit it here and one of our Disaster Funding Specialists will respond.

PPP loan program guidelines are still coming out regularly, so please check back here regularly.

Support Local

With your help, we can expand much needed financial services for small businesses across WNC.