April 30, 2021 - U.S. Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund has a program to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep doors open. Registration for the application portal is open and applications open at noon on Monday, May 3. For more information about this program visit: http://sba.gov/.../covid.../restaurant-revitalization-fund.

 March 2021 - Understanding The Business Recovery Plan / Wednesday, March 24, 2:00 to 3:00 pm / Business Recovery Webinar / Link: Cobb Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cobbchamber.org/External/WCPages/WCWebContent/WebContentSamplePage.aspx?ContentID=13422

Update (September 2020): 

• Mayor and City Council of Smyrna approve Small Business / Nonprofit Grants through CARES Act funding (Oct. 1 - 30, 2020 application period).

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Update (Mon., July 27, 2020):

The application period for the second round of Small Business Relief Grants begins today, Mon., July 27 and closes on August 21.

Round two of the SelectCobb Small Business Relief Grants is opening from July 27 through August 21 which gives you opportunity to apply for relief grants for your small business.

All small businesses are encouraged to apply. Businesses who previously received PPP are now eligible for these grant funds. $7M has been given, but there is over $40M still available!

Note: This is not a first come, first served application. ALL applications submitted by the deadline and that meet the requirements will be considered.

• Visit selectcobb.com/grants for more information, including a full list of requirements and how to apply.

New for round two:

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Update (Friday, May 29, 2020): 

From the Cobb Chamber of Commerce - Grant Applications Open June 8 for Cobb Small Businesses
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $50M for small business grants to be administered by SelectCobb to help our a Cobb County businesses with 100 employees or less. The process for the application is as follows:

• The website for small business grants goes live on June 1 with information on the grants (https://selectcobb.com/industries/grants/ );
• The application will be uploaded at 10:00 am on June 8;
• A webinar on how to apply for the small business grants will be on June 10 at 10:00 am through the Cobb Chamber; and
• The application portal will be open until June 26 at 5:00.
• All grants submitted in that time frame will be evaluated (this is not first come first served).

Grants are available in three tiers as follows:

1 to 10 employees – up to $20,000
11 to 50 employees – up to $30,000
51 to 100 employees – up to $40,000

The grant website will have a lot of information about how to apply, document needs, etc. so you can gather everything and be prepared to complete and submit the application between June 8 and June 26. Read more here.

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In a call with Smyrna Businesses the morning of Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Mayor Norton made sure that Smyrna businesses are aware of an upcoming opportunity for grants through the Cobb County Commission and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. The following pdf is a recap of the call and includes other information. Mayor's Call with Smyrna Businesses - Recap and Additional Information 

$50 Million Grant Program through Cobb County Commission and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce "Select Cobb" - this is developing and we expect to post a link for the application process later in the week of May 25.  The Memorandum of Understanding (revised) is available on this website, but the program is not administered by the City of Smyrna.  Please be advised that the Cobb County Commission was set to vote on the MOU on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The MOU is now revised from the proposed version that was available prior to Cobb County Commission vote. If you have an earlier version (prior to approx. 3:45 p.m. on Tues., May 26), please refer to the one linked above or refer to the Cobb County government website. 

Smyrna Businesses call with Mayor Norton scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 9:00 a.m.

GoToMeeting:  Mayor Norton's call with Smyrna Businesses
Tue, May 26, 2020 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM (EDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/232035333

You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)

United States: +1 (646) 749-3131
- One-touch: tel:+16467493131,,232035333#

Access Code: 232-035-333

The call will focus on the Cobb Commission vote Tuesday on a $50 million small business grant program, as well as funds available through Support Smyrna for employees of Smyrna businesses. 

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Governor's Office Guidelines for Reopening Businesses
The Governor's office posted a webpage with guidance for restaurants, gyms, estheticians, and other businesses authorized to begin resuming business operations. The state also issued a  Covid-19 FAQ Page that provides more information and clarity regarding business operations during this time. 

Latest Relief Funding Bill Signed into Law 
On Friday (April 24, 2020), the President signed the CARES Act, which includes $376 billion in relief for businesses and employees affected by COVID-19. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers several coronavirus relief options. Click here to learn more.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce - Compiled Database 

From small business resources and support to current job openings and breakdowns of federal programs, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce has compiled a database of resources for small businesses, community members and anyone impacted by COVID-19. Link below. Check back often for updates, updated weekly.

https://www.cobbchamber.org/Business-Resources/index.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3h9Z3fmIuGwbMLZ-4IV_smsx09Yun6NoD7D-hwi7bPY6e3VwtU4ly5fMg

Cobb Chamber of Commerce held a webinar on Tues., March 31 on Business Recovery.

• Access the recording of the webinar 

• Small Business Payroll Protection Program - Info sheet with links to - contact your current banking/lending institution for assistance with working through the process. Note:  Information continues to change. If you have a bank/lending institution with which you have a relationship, it will be helpful to make use of that relationship to stay up with programs and options.

• Restaurants - Information for Restaurants on how to apply for federal relief loans / posted on the Restaurant Business website: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/how-apply-federal-relief-loans
• This link to a story regarding best practices for dine-in restaurant operation during the pandemic. Within the article is a link to download the full restaurant re-opening guide: https://www.nrn.com/operations/national-restaurant-association-releases-coronavirus-reopening-guide-industry

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has been holding webinars. When registration information is available, we will share on the CIty of Smyrna Facebook page as this is the best way to share timely information. The following is followup information from the Tuesday, April 7 webinar: 

1. Cobb Chamber Business Survey – Here’s the link to the survey, as mentioned by Dana J.: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GYV8KCM
2. Retail Impacts – Steve F. found a couple of articles about the impacts of COVID-19 on retail
1. Resources for retailers: https://nrf.com/resources/retail-safety-and-security-tools/coronavirus-resources-retailers?utm_medium=NRF%20SmartBrief%20News&utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=Coronavirus&utm_content=Resource%20Center
2. Long-term impacts for small retailers: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/03/retailers-furloughed-nearly-1-million-workers-this-week-industrys-troubles-are-just-beginning/?arc404=true

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University is available to answer questions and help you address any concerns you may have about your business including cash flow, payroll, marketing, the effect of the COVID-19 virus on your business and keep you up-to-date on the latest on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. To schedule a teleconference appointment with a consultant, email kennesaw@georgiasbdc.org or call 470.578.6450.

HELP FOR SMYRNA BUSINESSES:

SMYRNA BUSINESSES - Please see below from the Cobb Chamber of Commerce RE: SBA Loan Application Details:

Following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by President Trump and a request for Georgia from Governor Brian Kemp, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan assistance is now available to businesses in Georgia suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Here are the application details below that we are promoting and would love your help promoting as well.

We have also assembled helpful resources for businesses to navigate this unprecedented time on our COVID-19 Resources webpage. We will continue to add to this page as more develops. Together, we can and will overcome this. Sharon Mason

SBA Loan Application
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Georgia small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by President Trump and following a request for Georgia from Governor Brian Kemp, SBA disaster assistance is now available to the entire state of Georgia. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Here are a few helpful application notes:

• Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
• Please note that applicants are applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, so they MUST select the Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Option.
• If an applicant selects the wrong option, they do not have to re-register but will need to start the application again.
• The following PDF explains the Three Step Loan Process: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/…/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disas….
• 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.
• For more information, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster

Apply online at:  www.sba.gov/disaster  (there is no cost to apply)

Apply by mail:    Download application from www.sba.gov/disaster and mail to:

U.S. Small Business Administration,

Processing and Disbursement Center                     

14925 Kingsport Road

Fort Worth, TX 76155

Disaster customer service can be reached at: 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Prior to Thursday, March 19, 2020 -------------------------------------------------------- 

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce communicated this morning that the U.S. Chamber and SBA officials are suggesting that even if the paperwork has not been finalized it will be soon, and business owners who wish to seek an SBA loan are encouraged to go ahead and register on the SBA website so they will already have that process completed and be ready to apply.

Here is the link to register on the SBA website: 

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Register1?fbclid=IwAR0M7wyXrH38r61T3rRxX-MMS4doEuAILvm32H_zxQUlzXT1CRVdHnnIERk

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Information Sheet (posted/created date - prior to March 18, 2020)

The City of Smyrna Economic Development office has been assisting in compiling information of value to you during this national health emergency. As more information is available, we will post it here for you here. 

Links to Information: 

Cobb Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Resources page with developing information that includes information for non-profits, taking care of students, supporting Cobb's seniors, organizations who are stepping up and information on a telework plan. 

https://www.cobbchamber.org/your-chamber/COVID-19_Resources.aspx