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COVID- 19 Business Resources


Utah Employer & Business Owner Resources


State Resources

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The COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant Program, known as Shop In Utah, is a grant program to help support businesses and provide discounts to consumers.
This $55 million initiative, funded with federal CARES Act monies, provides grants to businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies must give a discount, coupon, or another offer with an estimated value to their customers of at least 50% of the grant amount to qualify for the program.
Shop In Utah is one way the state’s supporting business and encouraging Utahns to engage with local businesses.
In its August special session, the Legislature created three grant tiers, providing more assistance for companies most impacted by the pandemic.
GOED has already awarded $31 million in Shop In Utah grants, leaving around $24 million available for round two, which opened on Sept. 14, 2020, at 9 a.m. (MDT).

Click here for more information on how to apply!

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The COVID-19 Oil, Gas and Mining grant provides $5 million to help Utah energy businesses. Qualifying companies that have incurred expenses or are operating at a net loss due to the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to participate in this grant program.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Vernal City wants our valued small businesses to be aware of 3 grants from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).  The grants’ purpose is to help small businesses recover from the COVID pandemic.  Learn more about these grants at business.utah.gov
 
  1. Shop In Utah – for businesses with a revenue decline due to the COVID pandemic.  We encourage you to apply for this grant. It will benefit the Uintah Basin. Applications start Monday, July 27 on a first come, first serve basis.
  2. Safe in Utah – for businesses with expenses to create safe work environments and protect from COVID spread
  3. ComRent – for businesses who lease or rent with losses due to COVID
 
Details of each grant are below:


1. Shop in Utah – this COVID relief grant opportunity is for retailers, manufacturers, service-based or education-based organizations, and nonprofits, and more can apply to receive up to the lesser of $50,000 or your organization's revenue decline.  The grant recipient must use 50% of the grant amount for customer incentives and discounts.  $25 Million available state-wide on a first come basis.

For example, if your business lost $20,000 in revenue due to COVID-19, you are eligible for a $20,000 grant. Before December 30, 2020, you must offer a discount to your customers with an overall value of at least $10,000. The customer must redeem the incentive prior to June 21, 2021. You can run a promotion, discount your overstocked inventory to help move it faster, or extend additional discount to long time customers or partners. Anything you do to pass the savings on to your customers qualifies you to receive the grant.

•             Applications open at 9:00 AM on Monday, July 27, 2020.  First come, first serve.
•             Max grant amount: $50,000
•             The amount of a grant may not exceed the amount of the business entity’s revenue decline.


2. Safe in Utah – this grant reimburses a business to create safe operations.  $5 million available state-wide. The grant will pay for a business’s COVID-19 response that consists of the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementation of workplace redesigns, additional signage, new technology solutions for distance working, and other items to comply with COVID-19 public health guidelines on safely returning employees to work.

3. ComRent – this grant provides rental relief to Utah small businesses.  $40M available state-wide with $30M remaining.  The business must be a renter and demonstrate at least a 30% loss of gross monthly revenue after March 1, 2020, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  An applicant who meets eligibility requirements will receive between 50% and 100% of up to two months of its business lease amount, not to exceed $15,000 for a single location.
Learn more about these grants at business.utah.gov
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Utah Leads Together Small Business Bridge Loan Program

GOED announced the Utah Leads Together Small Business Bridge Loan program. This program starts March 31, 2020, at 8 a.m. (MDT) and offers a bridge loan to Utah-based small businesses with 50 or fewer employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is only for for-profit businesses, not nonprofits.

Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000 with 0% interest for up to 60 months. Loans cannot exceed three months of demonstrated operating expenses. Loan payments are deferred for 12 months.

Click here to apply.

Utah small businesses can apply for the Utah Leads Together Small Business Bridge Loan from March 31, 2020, at 8 a.m. (MDT) until April 3, 2020, at noon. After the first week, loan applications will be accepted each week from Monday morning until Friday afternoon.  (until the designated funds are depleted).

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New Rapid Response Team (RRT) to Help Utahns Apply for CARES Act Assistance
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The SBA Utah District Office has partnered with the Governor’s Office through the Governor's Economic Recovery Task Force to establish a Rapid Response Team (RRT).
The new Rapid Response Team was formed to more quickly respond to the high volume of inquiries regarding SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) Loans. RRT members will help SBA respond to general inquiries regarding the EIDL and PPP programs, helping to ensure that Utah small business owners understand and utilize federal programs designed to help them during the Coronavirus pandemic.
There are three ways to submit general inquiries to the SBA and Rapid Response Team:
  • SBA Utah Email: utahgeneral@sba.gov
  • SBA Utah Phone: (801) 524-3209
  • RRT: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/business/
    • Click "Federal Resources", then "Submit Inquiry"
    • RRT will handle general inquiries
    • Submit technical inquiries to SBA Utah

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How to Save Your Business

This compelling forum that will provide clear and actionable direction to help local businesses navigate the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
 
Experts from the Marriner S. Eccles Institute at the David Eccles School of Business will join with Mike Leavitt, former US Health and Human Services Secretary and former Utah Governor, to provide actionable insights for businesses of every size throughout Utah. Sen. Mitt Romney and Gov. Gary Herbert will also take place in the forum.
 
This unprecedented forum is provided free of charge to business leaders through the generosity of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

Click here to register. 

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On March 24, 2020, Gov. Herbert released “Utah Leads Together,” a comprehensive task force plan to mitigate the economic consequences of COVID-19. The plan aims to eventually return Utah to the record-setting economic growth it enjoyed before the pandemic. The report and economic playbook include recommendations from dozens of Utah state and industry leaders. If you have questions or comments about this plan, please email businessutah@utah.gov.
Read about the plan at coronavirus.utah.gov/business/






Federal Resources

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Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance

$10,000 EIDL ADVANCE - APPLY NOW
The U.S. Small Business Administration is committed to help bring relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations suffering because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides additional assistance for small business owners and non-profits. 
Included in the CARES Act is the opportunity for small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.
The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This Advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending.
Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.


If you wish to apply for the Advance on your EIDL, please visit covid19relief.sba.gov/#/  as soon as possible to fill out a new, streamlined application.
In order to qualify for the Advance, you must submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing EIDL application.


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USDA- U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has taken immediate actions to help rural businesses, residents and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes its rural utilities, rural housing and rural business-cooperative services. Go here to learn more.

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FEMA- Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA has issued guidance for businesses that are able to provide medical supplies or equipment to the Coronavirus response efforts. Information is also available for businesses that are able to start producing a product related to the COVID-19 response. Click here to learn how to assist.

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CDC- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance for businesses and employers on how to plan, prepare, and respond to the Coronavirus. This includes cleaning and disinfecting recommendations and employee best practices. Click here to learn more.

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U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus. Click here to learn more.



Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce
​
134 West Main Street 
Vernal, Utah 84078
vchambermgr@easilink.com
Phone: (435) 789-1352
Fax: (435) 789-1355
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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  1. Text to: 866-866-5545
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