COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance

Overview

The COVID-19 public health crisis has impacted every Pennsylvanian in every community. The recently enacted state budget includes $2.6 billion in federal stimulus funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Within this allocation, the Department of Community and Economic Development has been allocated $225 million for COVID-19 relief to small businesses through a distribution to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). For Blair County companies the CDFI is the Progress Fund – www.progressfund.org/grants-for-small-businesses/

Uses

DCED will distribute the funding to the Pennsylvania CDFI Network, which will then administer the funding in the form of:

• Grants to cover operating expenses for the duration of the shutdown and the transition period to re-opening
• Grants to cover technical assistance, including training and guidance, for business owners as they stabilize and relaunch their businesses
• Debt payment relief for CDFI Pennsylvania borrowers
• Loan loss reserves for CDFIs

The funds will be distributed in three ways:

• Main Street Business Revitalization Program: $100 million
• Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program: $100 million
• Loan payment deferment and loss reserve: $25 million

Eligibility

All businesses must apply through an eligible CDFI and meet the program requirements which, at a minimum, include:

• The business was in operation on February 15, 2020 and if required paid income taxes to the state and federal government, as reported on individual or business tax returns
• COVID-19 has had an adverse economic impact and makes this grant request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the applicant
• The grant will be used to cover COVID-19 related costs
• During the period beginning on June 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020, the applicant has not and will not receive another grant under this state program

How to Apply

For Blair County companies contact the Progress Fund – www.progressfund.org/grants-for-small-businesses/

The nonprofit Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund was launched by Jeff Bartos, Richard Phillips and Roger Braunfeld.  Working with other business leaders throughout the Commonwealth, the Fund’s goal is to help save as many Pennsylvania jobs as possible while small businesses await recently approved federal funding.

Pennsylvania businesses that qualify for assistance from the Fund are:

The funds dispersed to small businesses by the Pennsylvania 30 Day fund do not need to be repaid. If businesses who receive the Fund’s assistance do, at a later date, wish to “pay it forward” to another Pennsylvania small business in need of assistance, they may do so by directing those dollars back to the Fund, which will disburse the funding to another Pennsylvania business in need.

Main Street Lending Program

The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending Program (Program) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program will operate through three facilities: the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), the Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF), and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Term sheets for each facility and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) providing more information regarding eligibility and conditions can be found by visiting the Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Website.

• How do eligible borrowers apply? Once the Program is operational, small and medium-sized businesses interested in the Program can apply for Program loans by contacting an eligible lender. A description of eligible lenders can be found in the Program term sheets.

• What documents should eligible lenders prepare? The Federal Reserve will publicly issue a form loan participation agreement, form borrower and lender certifications, and other form agreements that are necessary to implement the Program in accordance with the term sheets. The Federal Reserve will not provide form loan documents for eligible lenders to use when making eligible loans to eligible borrowers. Rather, eligible lenders should provide these documents. Loan documents related to any loans that are participated to the SPV must reflect the terms of the Program.

Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF)

• Term Sheet (April 30, 2020) (PDF)

Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF)

• Term Sheet (April 30, 2020) (PDF)

Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF)

• Term Sheet (April 30, 2020) (PDF)

Main Street Lending Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Frequently Asked Questions (April 30, 2020)

CARES Act Small Business Owner Resources:

• Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act (pdf) – Complete document outline the Frequently Asked Quesions from the US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. **NOTE: Below are quick links to sections within the above FAQs document for easy reference**
  • Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses FAQs – This is capital for covering the costs of retaining employees. Must apply through an SBA 7a Lender locally.
  • Emergency Economic Injury Grant FAQs – A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now. Must apply through an SBA 7a Lender locally.
  • Small Business Debt Relief Program FAQs – Information regarding payments if you have a current SBA loan.
  • Small Business Counseling & Training
  • Small Business Contracting
  • Small Business Tax Provisions

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance

Please note that this program is completed by the individual business through an online portal. The team at ABCD can provide guidance on the information needed and process but the application is not processed through our offices.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. 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

• 3 Step PDF on Applying for SBA Disaster Loan
• To begin the loan application with the SBA click here

Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) –

4/1/20 – AT THIS TIME THE CWCA IS OVERSUBSCRIBED AND NOT ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS. ABCD WILL PROVIDE NOTICE THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND MEDIA OUTLETS WHEN THE PROGRAM’S FUNDS ARE REPLENISHED.

YOU CAN PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE IN ORDER TO BE MORE PREPARED SHOULD THE PROGRAM BE RE-INSTITUTED.

Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides critical working capital financing to small businesses located within the Commonwealth that are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak (program guidelines). **NOTE: All CWCA loan applications in Blair County must be submitted through ABCD Corp.**

We’re Here To Help You…Every Step of the Way!!!

*Funds are limited. First to qualify and submit all required documents will be processed in the order they were received.*

1. Contact rapidresponse@abcdcorp.org to notify our staff that you intend to apply for CWCA funding.

2. You will be assigned a Loan Officer from ABCD’s staff to assist on your application. Your Loan Officer will reach out to you via email.

3. Send your most recent year-end accountant prepared financial statements OR your most recently filed tax return, along with your Debt Schedule (excel) to your Loan Officer. Written permission should also be given to allow ABCD Corp to pull a credit report on any 20% or more owner of your business, should you qualify for the program as stated in #4 below.

4. In order to qualify for CWCA, your business must show a 1:1 debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) for the most recent financial period. After receiving your most recent tax returns and debt schedule, your loan officer will calculate your DSCR to see if you are eligible.

5. If your business meets the minimum criteria, your Loan Officer will notify you and begin the application process. Your loan officer will direct you to the remaining forms (all are listed below) and supply any additional information that will be needed.
   • Company Profile (pdf)
   • Personal Financial Statement (pdf)
   • Certification Sheet (pdf)
   • Form W-9 (pdf)
   • Cash Flow Analysis (excel)
   • Single Application (pdf)

6. When forms are completed, they should be emailed to your Loan Officer who will compile and begin the online application.

7. The application will be completed and submitted by your Loan Officer.

8. Upon submission, the Dept. of Community and Economic Development will initiate communication with ABCD Corp and/or you to notify you of approval or any other developments.

**Please note there will be a commitment fee totaling 1% of the loan amount if you are awarded funding through the program.  This fee can be paid to ABCD Corp through proceeds of the CWCA loan. 

Eligible Applicants & Uses:

• Business Entity Classified as Small Business
• For-Profit Corp., Partnership, LP, LLC or Proprietorship
• Land Acquisition
• Building Construction & Renovations
• Building Purchase
• Leasehold Improvements
• Equipment

Business Benefits:

• Low Down Payment – lets you preserve your cash for your working capital.
  Competitive Interest Rate – typically below bank rates.
• Fixed Interest Rate – for the life of the loan of either 10 or 20 years.
• Additional Program Benefits: Available for women, veteran and minority-owned companies, export related companies, green buildings and businesses in rural communities.

Bank Benefits:

• Increase your loan portfolio’s profit while reducing risk.
• Make larger loans beyond current 7a limits.
• ABCD Corp. handles all SBA application processing, approval and loan servicing.

Contact your First Frontier 504 expert Rich Lasek today!!!

First Frontier 504 Brochure (pdf)