COVID19 Resource Guide
This guide is being updated with resources as they become available.
USDA Federal Resource Guide-
USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs can support recovery efforts for rural residents, businesses and communities through:
• technical, training, and management assistance;
• financial assistance; and
• state and local assistance.
This resource matrix organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources that can help support rural America.
Opportunities are categorized by customer and assistance type. Click here for the guide
For more information on the immediate actions USDA is taking to respond to COVID-19, visit usda.gov/coronavirus.
Weekly Regional Webinars for small business owners & entrepreneurs from Startup Colorado & the Colorado Small Business Development Center-
Every Friday, you can access the latest information and resources directly from the top, in one 60-minute call, on a consistent weekly basis. Calls are organized by region so that you can get the latest information relevant to your business and area of operation. For details click here.
Paycheck Protection Program- Visit the COHIA Toolkit page for application assistance on this program.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses & farms to keep their workers on the payroll.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020. However there is a limited amount of funding and it is offered on a first come first serve basis. Click here for details.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Loan Advance–Visit the COHIA Toolkit page for application assistance on this program.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. Note: The $10,000 advance requires a separate application from the larger EIDL program. Details here.
H-2A Workforce Program now has flexibility- to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. For full details click here
Agriculture Recognized as a Critical Industry & is exempt from workforce restrictions, more information click here
Food Manufacturing & Extraction companies are recognized as critical businesses in Colorado & exempt from workforce restrictions. To read the full list of Colorado’s Critical businesses exempt from the workforce restrictions click here.
Approved Medical Supplier- Enviortextiles is an approved medical supplier and importer & has been using their resources to ship masks & other PPE. For more information visit their website https://www.envirotextile.com/
H-2A & H-2B Program Updates- A partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help facilitate the identification of foreign and domestic workers that may be available and eligible to transfer to other U.S. agricultural sector employers to fulfill critical workforce needs within the U.S. under existing regulatory authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.For updates on the H-2A program click here
Ag Transportation– The Colorado State Patrol will not take enforcement action on commercial motor carriers traveling on the interstate that are within 1000 pounds of the interstate requirement of 80,000 pounds. This allowance applies to gross or axle weight. This goes into effect on March 16, 2020, and continues through March 30, 2020, unless superseded by further order of the Colorado State Patrol.
This allowance is for CMCs transporting goods or personnel intended to meet immediate needs for:
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Transportation of petroleum products within Colorado, pursuant to 8 CCR1507-1.
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Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19.
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Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for healthcare workers, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 spread in communities.
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Food for emergency restocking of stores.
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Equipment, supplies, and the persons necessary for the establishment and management of temporary housing and quarantine facilities related to COVID-19.
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Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for transport for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes.
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Personnel to provide medical or other emergency services. More information here: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cotriporgfreight/emergency-exemptions
FEMA Defense Production Act Opportunity for any of our pharmaceutical grade producers that want assist you can find more information here.
Special thanks to our partners at the Colorado Small Business Development Center for developing the small business resource guide.
