North Coast Small Business Pandemic Update 5/9
News
California Stage 2 workplaces start soft reopening : retail curbside delivery, some manufacturing
Important: County rules can be stricter, but not looser, than the state's. Check with your County reps first before taking action:

Humboldt
Will be unrolling online certification process and plan templates for businesses that want to reopen.
707-441-5000
covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us
English: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Español: Lunes a Viernes 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Hmong: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 2 - 4 p.m.

Del Norte
Is convening business owners by industry to identify what you need and are planning for.
707-951-2294
Monday - Thursday; 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
STAGE 2: Lower-risk Workplaces

FIRST
  1. Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan
  2. Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them
  3. Implement individual control measures and screenings
  4. Implement disinfecting protocols
  5. Implement physical distancing guidelines

THEN

Can open Friday May 8 with modifications
  • Curbside retail, including but not limited to: Bookstores, jewelry stores, toy stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, sporting goods stores, antique stores, music stores, florists. Note: this will be phased in, starting first with curbside pickup and delivery only until further notice.
  • Supply chains supporting the above businesses, in manufacturing and logistics sectors

Can open later in Stage 2:
  • Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets.
  • Personal services, limited to: car washes, pet grooming, tanning facilities, and landscape gardening.
  • Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
  • Dine-in restaurants (other facility amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted)
  • Schools and childcare facilities
  • Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces
CA Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Workers who Contract COVID-19 During Stay at Home Order
Alert!
  • Workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation.
  • Confirmed by a positive test within 14 days of performing a labor or service at a place of work.
  • Presumption will be that workers contracted the virus at work; employers will have chance to rebut.
Ag Businesses! You can apply for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
On Monday May 4th the Small Business Administration started accepting Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications from agriculture businesses and coops with 500 or fewer employees.
Paycheck Protection Program Updates
Program guidance and related information can be found at  www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection   or   www.treasury.gov/cares
The PPP FAQ updated on May 6th answers many common questions:
  • See # 40 for answer to "What if I try to rehire laid off employees but they won't come back?" You may still be able to have the loan forgiven if you document the attempt to rehire.
  • See # 45 for answer to, "I want to return the loan and claim the federal Employee Retention Tax Credit instead, can I pay it back without penalty?" The answer is yes--by the May 14th safe harbor deadline.

The detailed rules for loan forgiveness are not yet out. We will alert you as soon as we know more.

Lenders are still accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications. If your local financial institution can't help you could try an alternative lender:
North Coast SDBC Webinars
Managing Cash Flow in Uncertain Times (Thriving Together Series)
The first of the new Thriving Together series. Best practices for crisis cash flow management and agile scenario planning. Register by 11:30 am on 5/13 to get Zoom webinar link.
Art As a Business: Program Info Session #2
Want to earn a (better) living as an artist or craftmaker? Sign up for an info session to learn more about this special program for artists on the North Coast to start and grow their business. This "Art as a Business" cohort learning program will run for three months in 2020. Visit https://www.northcoastsbdc.org/art for program details.
Webinars for Restaurants
Restaurants: Pivot to Take-Out and Delivery
How to Pivot quickly and effectively for takeout and delivery. Learning from other pivoters and how they successfully converted their menus.
Restaurants: Negotiate Your Rent and Lease
Landlords understand that there will be a 50% or more occupancy rate over the next few years. Now is the best time to get in there and negotiate better lease and rent terms.
Other Northern California SBDC Webinars
Social Media Mondays in May (NorCal SBDC)
Tips, tools and best practices for businesses that now rely on social media marketing more than ever to promote their goods and services. May 11th: Facebook. May 18th: Instagram. May 25th: LinkedIn
Selling Online - Success Tools (NorCal SBDC)
Third webinar in a four part series designed to help you recover faster. Discover how easy it is to use online tools. If you're new to doing things online and how to begin connecting with folks online, learn how easy it is to augment your regular process of selling and outreach.
Ask SBDC Resource Center from Northern California SBDC, plus M-W-F 10:30 am webinars
ASK SBDC is an initiative of the Northern California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s), and is part of our continued effort to do everything in our creative power to help your business overcome the challenges of the current economic crisis and prepare your business to reopen.
Partner Events
Prepare Del Norte Hosts Business Owner Input Sessions by Industry
Share your ideas, questions, and reopening plans with the Del Norte Economic Resiliency Committee and the Department of Public Health.
Fortuna Chamber Chat: Banker Q & A
Discuss PPP loans, community funding, and the impact COVID-19 has had on our community members. Guest speakers include Mandy Marquez & Laura Morris (CCCU), Bob Judevine & Jennifer Budwig (RCB), Chris Broadstock (TCB), Kelly Isaacson (Umpqua), and Jessica Hindley (US Bank).
North Coast SBDC Center Service Continuity
Stay Updated COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Small Business is updated daily or more: northcoastsbdc.org/covid19

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for your business  here and download the California SBDC's COVID-19 Survival Guide for Small Business here .

Sign up for the Small Business Emergency Response mailing list: surveymonkey.com/r/NorthCoastBizCOVID19

Get confidential layoff or closure help ... manage and support your employees during forced closures or layoffs emailing layoffhelp@northcoastsbdc.org or calling (707) 445-9720

Get confidential management or finance help ... figure out how to maximize income, reduce expenses, apply for disaster funding and more by signing up to speak with a business advisor at northcoastsbdc.org/apply
Is the Center headquarters open?
The office is closed BUT your North Coast SBDC team is working from home during our Shelter in Place order. Please call 707-445-9720 or email admin@northcoastsbdc.org instead. Visit the  North Coast SBDC Service Continuity Update page   to understand how we are handling your needs and questions.

Also, please be aware that staff are working at top intensity to respond to increased demand during the crisis so please start by accessing the resources above to see if we've already answered your question.

Is my workshop still running?
Probably. Most of our workshops through May are still on and are being offered virtually via Zoom. Register for the workshops you want to attend northcoastsbdc.org/calendar and we will send you login instructions. You'll need a computer, decent Internet speed, and ideally a separate phone. The workshops that require a high level of interaction and/or computer labs will be postponed.

Can I still meet with my business advisor?
Yes. Our advisors are independent contractors so we leave it up to you two to decide where and how to meet. Many of our advisors are prepared to meet with you by phone and/or videoconference to make sure you continue to get the help you need.

How do I use Zoom to access services virtually?
Zoom is the videoconferencing services we're using to deliver our workshops live. Most of our business advisors are also using to be in communication with you. It's flexible--can be used as a phone service, a videoconference service, to share views of what's on your computer so you can look at financial statements together, etc.

Please make sure that you have downloaded and installed the  Zoom program  on your computer in advance. It’s fairly fast and easy, but does take a few minutes.

And if this is your first time here is a short video tutorial on YouTube from Geeks on Tour: How do I join a Zoom meeting?
North Coast Small Business Development Center
Humboldt: (707) 445-9720 | Del Norte: (707) 464-2168
North Coast SBDC Learning Programs also generously funded by: