COVID-19 Resources and Information

During the coming weeks and months, the Southwestern Commission will be working to ensure that our communities have access to the most up-to-date information on the response to COVID-19 from the local, state, and federal government, non-profits, and foundations. This will be a difficult time for everyone, and our communities will suffer from the negative social and economic impact. Our organization is poised to assist in recovery efforts. Below you will find a comprehensive list of resources pertaining to the COVID-19 response. This guide will be updated regularly-- please check our website and Facebook page for updates.

COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program for Small Businesses Announced The Golden LEAF Foundation announces $15 million in funding to launch a rapid recovery loan program in response to economic losses related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Golden LEAF funding will support the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program by enabling loans to be made to eligible businesses for up to $50,000 with zero interest and no payments for six months. If not repaid in six months, the loan will automatically convert to a term loan. The NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program is managed by the NC Rural Center, a statewide nonprofit that has been supporting small business owners for more than 30 years. The Rural Center will lead a broad coalition of nonprofit lending partners to directly assist small business owners. Participating Rapid Recovery organizations include Business Expansion Funding Corporation (BEFCOR), Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Mountain BizWorks, Natural Capital Investment Fund, and Thread Capital. View the Golden LEAF Foundation press release View the coalition website

How to File for Unemployment Insurance in North Carolina Please share this link with everyone you know who has been laid off as a result of this crisis. More information on Unemployment Resources.

Personal Protective Equipment Production If you know of a business that is interested in pivoting production to a needed medical product, please have them follow the guidelines below: FOR TEXTILE COMPANIES: Companies who want to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- Visit this site and click on “We will help produce PPE” Medical providers who need PPE- Go this site and click on “We need PPE”  FOR NON-TEXTILE COMPANIES: NC State University and IES is compiling data on companies that can produce medical PPE. For companies that would like to begin producing PPE or are already producing PPE please see this link.

Resources for Small Businesses Employer Resource Guide from NC Commerce EDPNC North Carolina Business Relief Resources- COVID-19 For businesses that may be looking at layoffs or closing, this link has good information on how/when to file a WARN notice For the most recent information on Unemployment Insurance, please look at this link. COVID-19 Main Street Resources Fair Labor Standards Act Resources Manufactured NC-- Resources for supply chain disruptions Business Edge counseling services available, including layoff aversion strategies CDC's Interim Guidance for Business and Employers Facebook Small Business Grants Program North Carolina Business Relief Resources SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 NC Emergency Management has resources for recovery and emergency preparedness NC Department of Agriculture Disaster planning for farms and agribusinesses The Small Business Administration’s Administrator, Jovita Carranza, announced automatic deferments through December 31, 2020 for borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. For more information please see the press release. Business Link North Carolina - if your business wants to be informed of future resources available for small businesses please call 800.228.8443 to register your interest. . BLNC may be experiencing a higher-than-normal call volume, and callers may be asked to leave a message.

Efforts to Compile a List of Employers that Are Hiring Josh Carpenter from the Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC) has compiling a list of employers that would be willing to hire workers that are displaced by COVID19. There have been some companies that have made hiring announcements nationally: If you know of companies that are hiring please let me Josh Carpenter know. He will be coordinating with NCWorks and other partners to compile this list of employers.

NC DHHS Update 3/25 Governor Cooper Issues a New Executive Order CDC Updates List of Who is High Risk Secretary Cohen Calls for Health Care Volunteers NC Pushes for Federal Changes to Make Food, Healthcare More Accessible Hospitals Urged to Cancel Elective and Non-urgent Procedures and Surgeries Medicaid Changes Policies to Encourage Telemedicine Visit the webpage for the latest updates.

Health Organization Resources NC Department of Health and Human Services site is updated daily with information regarding a wide variety of topics such as as Medicaid, telehealth, business resources, etc.) World Health Organization COVID-19 Resource Page Center for Disease Control and Prevention Resource Page John Hopkins University COVID-19 Map CDC: Preparedness Checklist for Nursing Homes and Other Long-Term Care Settings

Looking for Resources Specific to Local Government Response? UNC School of Government The North Carolina League of Municipalities International County Managers Association North Carolina Association of County Commissioners National Association of Regional Councils of Government National League of Cities

County-Specific Resource Pages Each county has specific resources for their citizens. The links below will take you to the county's response page. Cherokee County   Letter from Chairman and State of Emergency Declaration Clay County Graham County   Declaration of a State of Emergency New Community Info Line Set to Open for Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties. See Cherokee County Press Release. Haywood County   Proclamation of Emergency Jackson County   Declaration of a State of Emergency Macon County Proclamation of a State of Emergency Swain County  Declaration of a Local State of Emergency Statement from the Swain County Commissioners Concerning the Pandemic

Small Business Loans Small businesses will be negatively affected by this crisis. There are many loan funds available to assist with emergency funding. Thread Capital (NC Rural Center) Telephone: 919-212-4950; Email: connect@threadcap.org Sequoyah Fund Telephone: 828-359-5006 Mountain Bizworks Telephone: 828-253-2834 Small Business Administration Self-Help Credit Union Telephone: 800-476-7428 Carolina Small Business Development Fund Telephone: 919-803-1437 NC Community Development Initiative Telephone:  919-828-5655 Check out the market research information page.

Additional Small Business Resources The Small Business and Technology Development Center is a first responder to disaster relief in NC and will be a resource for business coaching and for help with loan applications. Contact Sandra Dennison at ssdennison@email.wcu.edu or by phone at 828.338.9317. The Small Business Centers at Haywood Community College, Southwestern Community College, and Tri-County Community College are also excellent resources for small businesses. Follow the links above to find contact information for each Center.

Information for Older Adults All Congregate/Nutrition centers across the region are closed for at least the rest of this week. The situation will be reassessed at that time. Take-out options as well as home-delivered options vary per county. Senior center staff are making safety checks to older adults on a regular basis.  If you are in need of assistance, please call your local senior center for information or the Area Agency on Aging at (828)586-1962 x220. Cherokee County - (828) 837-2467 Clay County - (828) 389-9271 Graham County - (828) 479-7977 Haywood County - (828) 356-2800 Jackson - (828) 586-5494 Macon - (828) 349-2058 Swain - (828) 488-3047 EBCI - (828) 497-4471 Mountain Projects - (828) 452-1447 or (828) 356 2800 Jackson County Department on Aging is collecting items from members of the community in order to make safety bags to deliver to home bound seniors in need. The national Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7/365 crisis counseling & emotional support continues to be available for anyone experiencing distress or other mental health concerns during the ongoing COVID-19 infectious disease outbreak. Call 1-800-985-5990 (press "2" for Spanish) or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to access this service. The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry is offering a “Hope Line” to provide a friendly ear to older adults experiencing social distancing, social isolation, or loneliness. Call 866.578.HOPE (866.578.4673).

Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities (from Dogwood Health Trust) 1. Checklist for Nursing Home and other Long-Term Care Settings 2. Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities 3. Things Long-Term Care Facilities Should Do Now 4. Social Distancing Graphic and Handout

Miscellaneous Resources NC Broadband Infrastructure Office's link to internet service offerings Legal Aid's website offers a variety of resources on topics including court information, evictions and foreclosures, food bank information, Marketplace coverage, and many more. Visit their website to access these resources. TWSA and Duke Energy Suspend Service Disconnections US Forest Service Resources Expensify to Reimburse Families in Need During COVID-19 Crisis NC Medicaid Increasing Medical Technology and Provider Types for Telemedicine Analyzing the Economic Impacts of the Coronavirus- Webinar from IMPLAN, Thursday, 3/26 at 2:00 PM United Way Worldwide has established the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other services, access the 211 website for more information (or dial 211 to speak with someone who can help). Coping During Infectious Disease Outbreaks Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During Infectious Disease Outbreaks Staying Connected While Keeping Your Distance

Additional Opportunities for Emergency Funding Community Foundation of Western North Carolina's Emergency and Disaster Response Fund WNC Bridge Foundation's Community Outreach Grant Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Grants to Aid COVID-19 Relief Efforts

3/17/2020 Information on Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act Families First Coronavirus Response Act Summary Families First Coronavirus Response Act Fact Sheet Coronavirus Response Funding

NC Emergency Management Essential Industry List Guidance NC Emergency Management has a process to vet businesses and allow them the ability to move employees IF an emergency or shelter in place order should be put into place. The steps for a business to follow are:   Email beoc@ncdps.gov In the email, provide the following: Business name Point of Contact including: Name Email Phone number Address Nature of their business and why they are critical to continue operations Business website

Vaya Health Call Center Remains Available Vaya Health’s 24/7 Access to Care Line remains available to western North Carolina residents experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis while the agency responds to the novel coronavirus. For specific physical health questions or concerns, please continue to call your primary healthcare provider or public health department. Anyone with a behavioral health crisis can call 1-800-849-6127, toll-free, day or night, for help from trained professionals. Call center staff are also available to provide information about local mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) services, as well as answer member questions. Visit the website for more.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Update Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a blanket 1135 waiver for several states, including North Carolina. These waivers, which were announced March 23 during a White House conference call with the governors, provide relief on a number of fronts, such as prior authorization and provider enrollment requirements, suspending certain nursing home pre-admission reviews, and facilitating reimbursement to providers for care delivered in alternative settings due to facility evacuations.   Click HERE for more.

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