COVID-19 Resource & Action Hub

** ALERT: We are now updating this Resources Hub page of our site. Please use this new page for the most current updates.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Apply for SBA relief loan.
• View SC Department of Commerce resource center.
• View SC employment law resources.
• Facebook has launched a $100 million grant program for small businesses affected by the virus.
• Local Farms: The American Farmland Trust has opened applications for their Farmer Relief Fund which will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis. Learn more here.
• Call Congress with this simple message: The federal government must respond quickly and aggressively to keep small businesses solvent through the crisis. Small businesses need grants and subsidies. Loans alone will leave many small businesses crippled by debt and at risk of failure. Find your representatives. Even with the expected passage of the CARES Act (3rd phase of stimulus package), we know our small local businesses will continue to need support in the weeks and months ahead. Let them hear from you!

 
LOCAL ACTION ITEMS:

• Fill out this brief form to let us know how your business is being impacted and what you’re currently doing to pivot your product/service offerings due to COVID-19.
• Find out which businesses are offering gift certificates, online ordering, delivery, virtual services, and much more by visiting BuyLocalChs.com.
• Pledge to support your local-independent businesses.
• Download and use these social graphics to update your customers on your adjusted offerings.
• Read our opinion piece shared by Charleston City Paper and Post and Courier. Listen in to our chat with Richard Todd on the Bridge 105.5 (aired Mar 20).
• Buy a gift card online now to support a local restaurant / bar and unlock it with a greater value at a later date.
• View the Charleston City Paper’s recent list of ways you can support local farmers.
• FOX 24 News is pledging to give half a million dollars in free commercial air-time to locally owned & operated businesses.If your business is being negatively affected by this crisis, email them at Fox24Cares@foxcharleston.com.
• Dezba Payment Solutions recommends business owners reach out to their POS providers and / or credit card processors and ask for reduced or deferred costs for these functions. They should be willing to work with you.
• Facebook has launched a $100 million grant program for small businesses affected by the virus.

Upcoming Webinars:

– Rescheduled date TBA “How to Launch a Digital Marketing Campaign in 3 Easy Steps,” featuring Obviouslee Marketing //

View Past Webinar Recordings:

– Crisis Communications, recorded Mar 20. View video and slides.
– Navigating Business Relief Options with the SBA, recorded Mar 24. View video and slides.
– It’s On My Mind: Marketing & Management Tasks During Coronavirus & Social Distancing, recorded Mar 25. View video. View slides.

Additional Resources:

• The City of Charleston is under a 14-day “stay at home” ordinance
• Employers can file a claim for any employees being laid off, stating that you had to lay them off. This allows the employee to collect benefits for 6 weeks without being required to look for another job. Learn more.
• The City of Charleston has suspended their single use plastic ordinance for 60 days as of Friday, March 20.
• The City of Charleston has implemented temporary curbside parking relief zones to provide support for local businesses that are fulfilling curbside pickup and delivery orders in lieu of dine-in service. These spaces are free for use by restaurant employees, delivery drivers and curbside pickup patrons. See locations here. Submit feedback or requests to curbside@charleston-sc.gov.
• Gotcha is offering electric scooters to local restaurants and retailers to aid in local deliveries.

 
OUR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS (As of Mar 17):

What we’re advocating for with our local officials:

• Expedite permitting for small businesses who are overwhelmed by regulations, arbitrary design requirements and multiple government agency hurdles
• Provide FREE parking downtown for employees and patrons
• Create an emergency leave and income assistance fund to support those who lose income in circumstances directly or indirectly related to the spread of the coronavirus to compliment the Families First Relief Bill. *This is currently in the works with the City of Charleston and will be voted on Tuesday, March 24th. We are working with the City and LDC Charleston to engage the business community. Other municipalities are being encouraged to offer similar support.
• Provide grants to support small businesses that will allow them to keep on employees.
  Waive impact fees.
• Let farmers’ markets stay open. They should be treated like grocery stores. Our growers, fishers and purveyors need us now more than ever.

 
What we’re advocating for with our state officials:

• Suspend all tax payments (sales, beer, wine, income etc.) for the duration of the recession starting with April 1 payments. *Current policy has this starting in April.
• Expedite payments to hourly employees who are laid off due to closures, COVID-19 related illness (themselves or caring for others) or lack of business.

 
What we’re advocating for with our federal officials:

• Grants to support local businesses, particularly the food and beverage industry that we rely so heavily upon and who are getting hit the hardest.
• Suspend all income tax payments for the duration of the recession.
• Provide 0% interest loans to small businesses.