Loan and Grant Program Updates

September 2020

ENERGIZE COLORADO GAP FUND

The Energize Colorado Gap Fund goes live today, August 31:

Small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees can apply for support through grants and loans up to a maximum of $15,000 in grants and $20,000 in loans for a possible combined total of $35,000 in financial assistance. The application process is not first-come, first-served and will be distributed in phases. Applicants are encouraged to be thoughtful in their responses as not all applications are guaranteed approval.

Questions about the Gap Fund?

Energize Colorado will provide interested applicants with assistance during the process through their mentorship program, or call the Energize Colorado hotline at 1-800-471-0628. It is open seven days a week from 6AM to 6PM. You can also email GapFundSupport@energizecolorado.com. The Colorado SBDC Network is also working in partnership with Energize Colorado to provide application support.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GAP FUND

Douglas County launches $2.5 million Small Business Grant Program

Small businesses countywide with physical locations and 100 or fewer employees may be eligible for COVID-19 impacts reimbursement grants of up to $10,000, funded through Douglas County’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, distributed through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The aim of this program is to reimburse local small businesses a portion of the expenses they incurred as they adjusted and adapted to public health restrictions, and continued to serve our community while complying with COVID-19 public health order guidelines. During its initial grant round, Douglas County will reimburse small businesses for expenses incurred adapting to public health order guidelines. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15, 2020, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attend a Town Hall August 31st, 5:30 PM to learn more.

DOUGLAS COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM

Consulting at the Aurora-South Metro SBDC is free, virtual and confidential. Our capacity has grown with the new CARES Team, Spanish-language assistance, government contracting consultants, market research assistance through our business librarians, evening instructors and our faithful full-time team. Set up an online consulting session today.

A start-up workshop is required prior to consulting for entrepreneurs in business for one year or less.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

VIRTUAL TRAINING AT THE SBDC

Free webinars during COVID-19

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Remember that, currently, our webinars are at no charge, so now is a great time to preregister for valuable learning opportunities.

RESILIENCY SERIES: MARKETING TACTICS -- SEPT 3

Haz Crecer tu Negocio -- Sept. 9 Accounting webinars in Spanish

FIRED UP! -- START-UP TRACKS and more webinars

MARKETING TO PRIME CONTRACTORS with Connect2DOT -- SEPT. 25

Business Conversations:

The consultants are designing webinars for the resiliency of your existing business. As these one-hour conversations become available, you will soon see them on our Web site listed as "Business Conversations". Topics will include: Finding Funding, Business Plan Pivoting, PPP Forgiveness, Understanding Your Financials, just to name a few. Keep an eye on www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/training.

Back to Business Webinar every Friday at 9:30 AM

Join the Tri-County Health Dept. Business Re-Opening Task Force for a weekly update and question-and-answer segment.

SAFER AT HOME GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS

AUTOMATED PPP FORGIVENESS TOOL

A free tool developed by the AICPA and biz2credit is designed to help borrowers complete the forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans: www.PPPForgivenessTool.com. Be sure to also contact your PPP lender for their forgiveness process and information.

PPP FORGIVENESS TOOL

EIDL and PPP fraud complaints from lenders and the public: send inquiries to the SBA District Office via email to: ColoradoDO@sba.gov | Subject: Report Suspicious Activity. The SBA will route emails to the appropriate Point of Contact for the particular issue. By phone: 1-800-347-0922.