Centre/South
 news & updates
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
CARES Act and what it means for residents and small businesses ...
BUSINESSES:

There has been a lot of information lately about the options that are now available because of the passage of the CARES Act. While this is by no means a complete description, here are some highlights to consider. Currently there are at least two loan available from the SBA.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guarantee
  • You need to have been in business by February 15, 2020.
  • The loan amount is 2.5 months of avg monthly payroll (including paid sick leave, healthcare, taxes, and other benefits) for all your employees making less than $100,000, up to $10 million limit.
  • The loan term is up to 10 years, with a max interest rate of 4%.
  • Apply directly through your local lending institution/bank. (Must be an approved SBA lender.)
  • Self-employed, sole proprietors, freelance and gig economy workers are eligible.
  • No personal guarantee or collateral is required for the loan.
  • Payments are deferred up to six to 12 months.
  • You won’t be penalized for a reduction in employment or wages during the period from February 15 to April 26, if you rehire or restore decreases in wages by June 30. 
  • The following costs will be forgiven, and do not have to be paid back, if used for:
  • Payroll costs, for salaries less than $100,000/yr only
  • Rent for 8 weeks starting February 15
  • Utilities for 8 weeks starting February 15 
  • Group health insurance premiums and other healthcare costs for employees.

CONSIDER THIS LOAN IF YOU JUST NEED TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS AND PAYROLL IS YOUR BIGGEST EXPENSE.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
  • You need to have been in business as of January 31, 2020.
  • Loans are up to $2M.
  • The term is 30 years.
  • Interest Rates are 3.75% for small business and 2.75% for non-profits.
  • There are no loan fees, guarantee fees or prepayment fees.
  • The first month’s payments are deferred a full year from the date of the promissory note. 
  • EIDLS can be approved by the SBA based solely on an applicant’s credit score; a prior bankruptcy doesn’t disqualify you.
  • EIDLS smaller than $200,000 can be approved without a personal guarantee.
  • Up to $10,000 will be forgiven if spent on:
  • paid leave,
  • maintaining payroll,
  • increased costs due to supply chain disruption,
  • mortgage or lease payments, or
  • repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue loss. 
  • Sole proprietors, independent contractors, tribal businesses, cooperatives, and ESOPs with fewer than 500 employees and all non-profits including 501(c)(6)s are now eligible.
  • Applicants can get the $10,000 emergency cash even if they don’t qualify for additional funds. You can receive these funds in as little as 3 days.
  • You apply for these loans directly through the SBA at www.SBA.gov/disaster. As of March 30, the new streamlined online application is up and running. Make sure to apply for Economic Injury for the Coronavirus (not physical damage from disaster.)

CONSIDER THIS LOAN IF YOU THINK THAT RECOVERY WILL TAKE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS FOR YOUR BUSINESS, AND YOUR BIGGEST EXPENSES INCLUDE MORTGAGE, RENT, FINANCING, AND LOANS.

PLEASE NOTE: you can apply for both loans, but you will likely only receive one. You cannot claim the same expenses on both loans.

Forbes had an excellent article with greater explanation of the loans and Tricks of the Trade. Another excellent article is here.

You can also find the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Guide and Checklist for the loans here.

You should discuss these options with your financial planner or banker. If you do not have access to these resources, please reach out to us at JP Centre/South Main Streets, and we can connect you to pro bono services.

RESIDENTS:

In addition, Sec. 2104 of the CARES Act provides Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation in the amount of $600 a week on top of what each person is entitled to through the state unemployment system from now through the end of July. The Act also specifically includes workers who are typically excluded from drawing unemployment as eligible recipients, including people who are self-employed, part-time employed, people with insufficient work history, and people who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for regular unemployment or extended benefits.

For businesses with 50-500 employees, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act required those businesses to provide emergency sick leave and paid Family Medical Leave Act, starting on April 1. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for an exemption.

As you move toward applying for loans or benefits, watch out for scammers. You should never be charged a fee for accessing the SBA applications, for IRS forms, or for filing for benefits.
Join COVID-19 Response Small Business Task Forces with Jamaica Plain Centre/South Main Streets
Jamaica Plain residents – we need your help to support local businesses in terms of immediate, long-term and recovery-specific needs.

JP Centre/South Main Streets (JPCSMS) is a volunteer-led non-profit that works to strengthen the JP Centre/South business district as a vibrant center of community life. Right now, we are confronting the economic realities of the COVID-19 crisis, and suddenly finding ourselves in the position to lead our community in economic recovery efforts. Dozens of volunteers have already reached out to discuss how to best support our local businesses. Please read below to learn how you can contribute to ongoing recovery efforts. 

JPCSMS has identified three projects for immediate and long term impact. We focused these projects on themes that emerged from several conference calls with the community and JPCSMS board members. Each of these three projects will be led by a project team: 

Project 1: Triage and Immediate Relief
Project 2: Long-term Sustenance and Advocacy
Project 3: Recovery Task Force

Does Your Business Need Assistance?
This has been a challenging and unprecedented time in the business community. We know that many of our businesses are struggling with the immediate consequences of the stay-at-home advisory and state-wide shut downs. While we continue to disseminate information about the newly passed CARES Act, it is essential for your business survival to anticipate that recovery from this crisis will still take several months. With the loss of the Spring retail season, businesses will have few reserves to last the traditionally slow Summer retail season in Boston. Moreover, we have to expect a severe decrease in tourism in Boston.
We encourage you now to hope for the best, and plan for the worst. JP Centre/South Main Streets has resources and consultations available to help you plan. In addition to the federal aid that businesses can receive, we also have access to local and immediate cash grants that do not have to be repaid. 

If you are in need of any assistance, IMMEDIATELY OR FOR THE LONG-TERM, we encourage you to complete the confidential survey below. 
Link to confidential survey:  https://forms.gle/CjxzNEZBq4D9aHMv9

Volunteers are available to help find relief for you and your business. We are also available to help you with the application process for federal aid, once it becomes available. If you complete the survey, someone will be in contact with you shortly. Or you can contact our Executive Director by email at director@jpcentresouth.com.
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES:
Check our website for regular updates, information, and resources for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Residents are asked not to call 9-1-1 for COVID-19 testing unless you are experiencing a medical emergency. All COVID-19 questions should be directed to Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050 or 311. The City and BPHC will continue to provide updated information on bphc.org and boston.gov/coronavirus.
JP Centre/South Main Streets have partnered with resident volunteers to advocate mutual aid via Google Form. There are neighbors who can offer something (what you can do or give) or need something. The form is a way for those people to connect. Please feel free to share widely.
If you have information that you would like to share or add to our newsletter or website, you can email us, message us, or tag us online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.