Business

Business

COVID-19

Danbury Businesses, we want you to know that there are resources available to you. The City of Danbury understands the difficult circumstances that you are going through due to COVID-19. We want to make sure you understand the resources available to you during this difficult time. We are stronger together and will get through this as a community.

Please check back regularly as information is updating rapidly. If there is something else you need assistance with, please contact Roger Palanzo, the Director of Economic Development & Business Advocacy.
[email protected]

Recent Message from SBA

SBA to Reopen Shuttered Venue Operators Grants

for Applications on April 24 at 12:30 p.m. EDT

Applicants can register today; updated documents now available 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration will reopen the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal tomorrow, April 24, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief.

 

“We recognize the urgency and need to get this program up and running,” said Barb Carson, deputy associate administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. “With venue operators in danger of closing, every day that passes by is a day that these businesses cannot afford. We remain dedicated to delivering emergency aid as quickly as possible and will begin reviewing the applications on Saturday as they are submitted.”

 

While working with vendors to fix technology issues that occurred with the April 8 initial opening, the SBA identified and resolved other concerns and enhanced the applicant experience with the portal. The following updates have been made:

  • Clarifying and making program documentation more user-friendly;
  • Improving application portal security mechanisms;
  • Adding an industry-standard waiting room technology to address the high interest in the program and provide an orderly application process for fair and smooth performance; and
  • Updating application features, including: a new revenue chart, the ability to upload multiple attachments, and an improved application flow to match the eligible entity types and their respective required documentation.

 

In preparation for the application portal reopening, the SBA recommends eligible applicants take the following actions:

 

SBA’s collaboration with several live venue, cultural and related industry organizations has been vital to the agency’s understanding of the user experience for potential SVOG applicants, and the SBA will continue to partner with them through the application and grant awarding processes.

 

For more information and to view applicant resources, visit www.sba.gov/svogrant. For Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance. The call center is open today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and, starting Saturday, April 24, the center will be open 24 hours a day through Monday evening at 8 p.m.

 

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant background 

The SVOG program was appropriated more than $16.2 billion for grants via the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. Of these funds, at least $2 billion is reserved for eligible SVOG applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue up to a maximum amount of $10 million for a single grant.

 

The SBA is accepting SVOG applications on a first-in, first-out basis and allocating applicants to respective priority periods as it receives applications. The first 14 days of SVOG awards, which are expected to begin in mid-May, will be dedicated to entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second 14 days (days 15-28) will include entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April and December 2020. Following those periods, SVOG awards will include entities that suffered a 25% or greater revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.

 

SBA’s resource partners, including SCORE business mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers, are available to provide entities with individual guidance on their applications. (Per federal grant program guidelines that require the same and equal information be provided to each applicant, SBA’s team members are limited on responses they can provide to individual, specific questions regarding SVOG eligibility, potential grant amount, or other detailed information.)

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

El gobierno federal acaba de aprobar un paquete de estímulo de $900 millones para proveer alivio económico a los pequeños negocios y a americanos impactados por la pandemia. El paquete incluye el siguiente apoyo para empresas y empleados:

$325 billones para pequeños negocios, incluyendo $824 billones en préstamos a través del PPP - Programa de Protección de Salarios
Cheques de pagos directos de hasta $600 por adulto y niño
Beficios de seguro por desempleo de $300 por semana
Extensión de notificación de desalojo y $25 billones para asistencia de renta
Extensión del crédito de impuestos para empleadores ofreciendo pago por enfermedad
La nueva ronda de fondos PPP provee una gran oportunidad para las empresas que no han recibido un préstamo PPP perdonable, a principios del año. También permitirá a los negocios con 300 o menos empleados que hayan experimentando más del 25% durante trimestres comparables de 2019 asegurar un segundo fondo perdonable de PPP.

El PPP continuará siendo manejado por la Administración de Pequeños Negocios de Estados Unidos (SBA) y los préstamos serán asegurados por un banco o entidad financiera aprobada por SBA. En este enlace, está la lista de entidades participantes.

Recomiendo empezar a trabajar con su entidad bancaria aprobada, desde hoy mismo, pues hay alta demanda por este programa. Para esas compañías solicitando un segundo préstamo de PPP, el trabajar con la misma institución financiera puede acelerar el proceso de la solicitud para su negocio.

La página web de SBA tendrá disponible más información pronto. Mientras tanto, el Centro de Desarrollo de Pequeños Negocios (SBDC) realizará varios seminarios web para ayudarlo a entender qué información necesita para solicitar un préstamo PPP. Regístrese aquí para uno de los seminarios web (https://ctsbdc.com/federal-relief-funding-updates-multiple-dates/).

EL PPP ha sido un gran impulso para los negocios de Connecticut que continúan luchando bajo la realidad económica que ha traido la pandemia. A la fecha de hoy, las empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro de Connecticut han asegurado cerca de 65,000 préstamos PPP, en un valor aproximado de $6.7 billones.

Recomiendo encarecidamente a toda empresa y organización que tomen ventaja de este programa lo más pronto posible.

Sinceramente,
Comisionado David Lehman
[email protected], (860) 500-2310

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

On Sunday, Governor Lamont asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to begin offering disaster-relief loans to Connecticut small businesses and non-profits. The SBA approved his request. Companies can now apply for loans of up to $2 million through a special page on the SBA website. SBA also has more valuable information for businesses.

Learn More

Workers directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work. And employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. DOL has more information about these and other changes.

Learn More

Your business may be effected by Governor Lamont's recent executive orders. Please read them in full.

Learn More

SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications on April 8
National informational webinar to review application process on March 30

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal today in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

“Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program from the ground up to assist and address the diverse eligibility requirements of each type of applicant and we will open for applications on April 8,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “The SBA knows these venues are critical to America's economy and understands how hard they've been impacted, as they were among the first to shutter. This vital economic aid will provide a much-needed lifeline for live venues, museums, movie theatres and many more.”

Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Those interested in participating can register here.

The SVOG program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which appropriated $15 billion for it. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion, bringing the program funding to a total of $16.25 billion, with more than $16 billion allocated for grants.

To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. The PPP loan applications have been updated to reflect this.

As the SBA builds and prepares to open the program, the dedicated SBA website, www.sba.gov/svogrant, which includes frequently asked questions, video tutorials and other SVOG details, is the best source for information for those looking to apply for a grant. To prepare in advance of the SVOG application portal opening on April 8, potential applicants should get registered in the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM.gov), as this is required for an entity to receive an SVOG, and reference the preliminary application checklist and eligibility requirements.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Danbury's Pro-Business Climate

Ranked the best small city in Connecticut to start a business, Danbury is the place where your company will shine. Local businesses are leveraging our unique combination of assets to gain a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace.  These assets and resources include a pro-business climate, a creative, educated and talented workforce, an excellent education system, transportation advantages, a superior quality of life, and much more!