Small Business Development Center Penn State

State and Local Announcements and Resources 

• Gov. Wolf Signs COVID-19 Response Bills 
  • HB 1232: Local Tax Deadline Extended 
  • SB 422: Primary Election Moved 
  • SB 751: Changes to education requirements, including waiving 180 day requirement, payment of employees during closure, and ability to waive standardized testing 
  • HB 68: Changes to unemployment requirements, including waiver of one week waiting period, job search, and work registration requirements Gov. Wolf Signs COVID-19 Response Bills 
• Governor Wolf’s Official Closure of Non-Life Sustaining Businesses
  • PA Secretary of Health’s Official Order 
  • Official List of Life-Sustaining Businesses 
  • Video Message from Governor Wolf
  • Department of Community and Economic Development
    The PA Department of Community and Economic Development encourages employers with questions about whether their organization needs to close to contact DCED at this link. 
• 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.
  
  
• Pennsylvania Extends Personal Income Tax Return Filing Deadline to July 15, 2020
  
  
• Tax Credits for Corona Virus Paid Leave
  Small and midsize employers may begin using two new refundable payroll tax credits to obtain reimbursement for the costs of providing corona virus related leave to their employees, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on March 20, 2020. This Compliance Bulletin provides the DOL and IRS’ guidance.  
  
  
• McQuaide Blasko: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Whitepaper 

Funding Resources

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): 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 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 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. 
  
  

• COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA) *We apologize, but PIDA is no longer accepting applications at this time
  The COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial
  Development Authority (PIDA) and provides critical working capital financing to small businesses located
  within the Commonwealth that are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Program Overview
    COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) loan overview provided by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development
  • Certified Economic Development Offices
    A network of nonprofit economic development organizations, known as CEDOs, partner with the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) loans. 

• CARES Act – Payment Protection Program
  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. 

  • The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
  • Program Overview
  • FAQs 
  • Information for Borrowers
  • Information for Lenders
  • Application
  • National Town Hall: What the $2T CARES Act Means for Your Business 
    On March 27, Inc. hosted a live expert Q&A on what you need to know about the package and its $367 billion program for small businesses. 
• 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.

Federal Updates

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act

  • Fact Sheet for Employees
  • Fact Sheet for Employers
  • Questions and Answers

• Treasury and Federal Reserve Board Expand Measures to Enhance Liquidity and Flow of Credit to American Workers, Households and Businesses
  The spread of coronavirus has disrupted economic activity and put significant liquidity pressure on U.S. businesses. To immediately enhance liquidity and support American workers, households, and businesses through this challenging period, Secretary Mnuchin authorized the expansion of two recently launched facilities and the establishment of three new facilities to provide liquidity to the financial system pursuant to section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act.

• Carranza Implements Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA Disaster Loans Through End of 2020
  SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment.

• Treasury, IRS, and US Dept. of Labor Announced Paid Leave & Tax Credit Changes for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
  
  
• Unemployment Waiting Period Waived

Disaster Assistance Resources for Small Businesses

• PASBDC 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 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. 

Business Resiliency Resources

• The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business Resiliency Toolkit
• https://www.ready.gov/business – Toolkits, videos and plans for business continuity. Disasters and Emergency preparation by topic.
• https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/prepare-emergencies – Specific disaster checklists and tips. Financial assistance, disaster cleanup and resource links.
• https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/89510 – Business Continuity Plan and Emergency Preparation.
• https://www.irsvideos.gov/Business/DisasterInformation – IRS Videos on Disaster Assistance, Reconstructing Records after a Disaster, Disaster Loss Deductions and more.

Upcoming Educational Events

Cornell Webinar Series:

Managing Workplace Conflict: Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
Friday, April 3, 2020 at 11am ET
Register Now

The Restaurant Business in Crisis: Coping with Restaurant Slowdowns, Expense Management, and the Road Ahead
Friday, April 3, 2020 at 2pm ET
Register Now

Disruption in The Financial Sector: Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 12pm ET
Register Now