As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our community and country, we want to provide resources for Fairfield County employers and residents. The resources provided include information on available local, state, and national support. Along with the health risks, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing disruption to businesses and residents – know that the Fairfield 33 Alliance is here to help! Regular updates are made as more information becomes available.
If you are in need of assistance please email Rick Szabrak at Rick.Szabrak@FairfieldCountyOhio.gov.
If you are in need of assistance please email Rick Szabrak at Rick.Szabrak@FairfieldCountyOhio.gov.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Fairfield County Revolving Loan Fund
The Fairfield County Revolving Loan Fund provides low-interest loans to businesses to help with expansion and employee retainment. Special adjustments have been made to provide immediate relief during COVID-19.
Revolving Loan Information / Eligibility
Revolving Loan Fund Application (Emergency Disaster)
Local PPE Providers
PPE Resources
STATE RESOURCES
JobsOhio is now accepting applications for a new Inclusion Grant that will provide financial support for projects designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented. Targeted areas include advanced manufacturing, aerospace/aviation, automotive, energy/chemicals, financial services, healthcare, agribusiness, and logistics/distribution. More info.
Eligible zip codes are 45801, 45804, 45805 and 45887.
Ohio Department of Health Updates
Health Orders
Office of Small Business Relief (OSBR)
Focused on identifying and providing direct support, Learn more.
Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program
Ohio businesses and nonprofit organizations need personal protective equipment, which remains in short supply. We are working to solve that issue through the ingenuity of Ohio companies and their employees. The Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program provides funds to help businesses innovate and create solutions to the PPE shortage.
Click here for program guidelines / Click here to apply
Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Program
Many Ohio small, minority- and women-owned businesses have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding to help these companies through the current crisis and set them up for the future.
Click here to apply
Appalachian Growth Capital Loan Program
Many small businesses in Ohio’s Appalachian region have been hit hard by the COVID-10 pandemic. The Ohio Development Services Agency and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia will provide $10 million in funding to help these businesses through the crisis.
Click here to apply
SharedWork Ohio
SharedWork Ohio is a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, the participating employer reduces affected employees’ hours in a uniform manner. The participating employee works the reduced hours each week, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours.
Find more information at SharedWork Ohio.
Find information at Shared Work Ohio or view this webinar.
Liquor Buyback Program
The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants.
Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1-877-812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.
TechCred Program
Ohio’s TechCred program reimburses employers for training to upskill their employees. Many of these programs can be completed online so this can fit in with employees that are working remotely. Learn more.
Premium Insurance Payment Deferral
Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is deferring all unpaid insurance premium installment amounts due for March, April, and May for the current policy year until June 1, 2020. This is for private and public employers. The deferral is automatic – there is no application. If desired, employers can still make payments during these months. No coverages will be canceled, and no penalties for unpaid amounts will be assessed. See the news release and updated FAQs here.
Group Insurance Coverage Promised for Employees with Reduced Hours
Ohio’s Department of Insurance issued a bulletin requiring insurers to permit employers to continue covering employees under group policies even if the employee would become ineligible due to a decrease in hours worked per week. See Bulletin 2020-03 for more information.
Special Blanket Permit for Haulers
Ohio’s Department of Transportation approved a special blanket permit for haulers carrying heavy or oversized loads of food, non-alcoholic beverages, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods. The blanket permit applies to travel on roads and bridges maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation (Interstate, U.S. and State Routes). View Restrictions and guidelines are outlined here.
Mass Layoffs
If your company is currently faced with mass layoffs due to the pandemic, we want to help your company and your employee. You can learn more at mass layoff procedures.
FEDERAL RESOURCES
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Ohio’s application for the declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has been approved by The Small Business Association. Now, small businesses in the state can apply for low-interest loans to alleviate the economic burdens caused by the Coronavirus. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Apply online at https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.
These loans are only intended as working capital loans utilized to assist with impact caused by the coronavirus emergency efforts. The EIDL’s are not for other purposes such as expansion, new equipment, property purchases, etc. that do not have anything to do with the national emergency we are facing. Rates to business are expected to be 3.75% and can have extended terms.
Paycheck Protection Program
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, businesses may be eligible for loans that will be forgiven based on meeting payroll objectives. If you maintain your payroll expense during these next few months and continue to pay employees, you can receive forgiveness on a loan of up to 2.5x your monthly payroll expense. Learn more.
Fairfield County Revolving Loan Fund
The Fairfield County Revolving Loan Fund provides low-interest loans to businesses to help with expansion and employee retainment. Special adjustments have been made to provide immediate relief during COVID-19.
Revolving Loan Information / Eligibility
Revolving Loan Fund Application (Emergency Disaster)
Local PPE Providers
PPE Resources
STATE RESOURCES
JobsOhio is now accepting applications for a new Inclusion Grant that will provide financial support for projects designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented. Targeted areas include advanced manufacturing, aerospace/aviation, automotive, energy/chemicals, financial services, healthcare, agribusiness, and logistics/distribution. More info.
Eligible zip codes are 45801, 45804, 45805 and 45887.
Ohio Department of Health Updates
Health Orders
Office of Small Business Relief (OSBR)
Focused on identifying and providing direct support, Learn more.
Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program
Ohio businesses and nonprofit organizations need personal protective equipment, which remains in short supply. We are working to solve that issue through the ingenuity of Ohio companies and their employees. The Ohio PPE Retooling and Reshoring Grant Program provides funds to help businesses innovate and create solutions to the PPE shortage.
Click here for program guidelines / Click here to apply
Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Program
Many Ohio small, minority- and women-owned businesses have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding to help these companies through the current crisis and set them up for the future.
Click here to apply
Appalachian Growth Capital Loan Program
Many small businesses in Ohio’s Appalachian region have been hit hard by the COVID-10 pandemic. The Ohio Development Services Agency and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia will provide $10 million in funding to help these businesses through the crisis.
Click here to apply
SharedWork Ohio
SharedWork Ohio is a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, the participating employer reduces affected employees’ hours in a uniform manner. The participating employee works the reduced hours each week, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours.
Find more information at SharedWork Ohio.
Find information at Shared Work Ohio or view this webinar.
Liquor Buyback Program
The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants.
Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1-877-812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.
TechCred Program
Ohio’s TechCred program reimburses employers for training to upskill their employees. Many of these programs can be completed online so this can fit in with employees that are working remotely. Learn more.
Premium Insurance Payment Deferral
Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is deferring all unpaid insurance premium installment amounts due for March, April, and May for the current policy year until June 1, 2020. This is for private and public employers. The deferral is automatic – there is no application. If desired, employers can still make payments during these months. No coverages will be canceled, and no penalties for unpaid amounts will be assessed. See the news release and updated FAQs here.
Group Insurance Coverage Promised for Employees with Reduced Hours
Ohio’s Department of Insurance issued a bulletin requiring insurers to permit employers to continue covering employees under group policies even if the employee would become ineligible due to a decrease in hours worked per week. See Bulletin 2020-03 for more information.
Special Blanket Permit for Haulers
Ohio’s Department of Transportation approved a special blanket permit for haulers carrying heavy or oversized loads of food, non-alcoholic beverages, medical supplies, cleaning products, and other household goods. The blanket permit applies to travel on roads and bridges maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation (Interstate, U.S. and State Routes). View Restrictions and guidelines are outlined here.
Mass Layoffs
If your company is currently faced with mass layoffs due to the pandemic, we want to help your company and your employee. You can learn more at mass layoff procedures.
FEDERAL RESOURCES
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Ohio’s application for the declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has been approved by The Small Business Association. Now, small businesses in the state can apply for low-interest loans to alleviate the economic burdens caused by the Coronavirus. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Apply online at https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.
These loans are only intended as working capital loans utilized to assist with impact caused by the coronavirus emergency efforts. The EIDL’s are not for other purposes such as expansion, new equipment, property purchases, etc. that do not have anything to do with the national emergency we are facing. Rates to business are expected to be 3.75% and can have extended terms.
Paycheck Protection Program
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, businesses may be eligible for loans that will be forgiven based on meeting payroll objectives. If you maintain your payroll expense during these next few months and continue to pay employees, you can receive forgiveness on a loan of up to 2.5x your monthly payroll expense. Learn more.
Small and Midsize Employers Immediate and Full Reimbursement for Coronavirus-related Leave
The U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. All American businesses with fewer than 500 employees can receive funds to provide employees up to 80 hours of paid sick leave or expanded paid childcare leave for COVID-19 related reasons. See the announcement and details.
Internal Revenue Service Relief
The Internal Revenue Service is aiding taxpayers, businesses, and other affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. High-deductible health plans can cover COVID-19 related testing and treatment before deductibles have been met with no threat to their status; an individual with an HDHP that covers these costs can continue to contribute to a health savings account. The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service postponed the federal income tax filing due date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020 regardless of amount owed. To help people facing the challenges of COVID-19 issues, the Internal Revenue Service unveils the new People First Initiative, a temporary adjustment/suspension of the key compliance program; the series of steps will assist taxpayers by providing relief on a variety of issues ranging from easing payment guidelines to postponing compliance actions. Visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus for more IRS coronavirus-related announcements or to view their relief efforts in details.
Department of Labor Divisions and Acts
The Department of Labor is working to provide information on labor and employee relations relating to wages and employment as COVID-19 continues to create challenges in the workplace, including their Wage and Hour Division and the Family and Medical Leave Act. For more information from the Department of Labor, visit their Coronavirus Resources page.
Export-Import Bank of the United States Assistance Programs
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is assisting to customers and lenders amid the COVID-19 outbreak. There three programs are the Working Capital Guarantee Program, the Multi-Buyer and Single-Buyer Short-Term Insurance Program, and the Medium- Term Single-Buyer Insurance Policies Issued to Exporters. For more information about these programs, visit the EXIM Fact Sheet.
Farm Credit Administration Assistance
The Farm Credit Administration is encouraging Farm Credit System institutions to work with borrowers affected by COVID-19 and is providing those institutions with temporary regulatory relied as they manage the operational challenges created by the pandemic. For more information or to view their press releases, visit the FCA Coronavirus (COVID-19) page.
RESPONSIBLE RESTART + OTHER RESOURCES
