Financial Assistance Available

$28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund

U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. 

Established under the American Rescue Plan, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. 

In preparation, the SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by:

• Registering for an account in advance at sba.gov starting Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT.
• Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
• Preparing the required documentation.
• Working with a point-of-sale vendor or visiting sba.gov to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]
• Attending a live recorded virtual training webinar. 
  • Tuesday, April 27 | 2:30 p.m. EDT | Register here 
  • Wednesday, April 28 | 1 p.m. EDT | Register here 
  • Wednesday, April 28 | 2:30 p.m. EDT |Register here 

For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

On March 11th, 2021, nearly a full year after the CARES Act, President Biden signed the newest stimulus bill into law. This is a $1.9 trillion package aimed for additional relief from COVID-19. 

Specifically, $350 billion is allocated for state and local relief with 57% being allocated to states, 35% to local governments, and the remaining going to U.S. territories and federally recognized tribal governments. Also, $50 billion is going to small business relief within the SBA, $3 billion to EDA, $510 million to FEMA, $170 billion to schools, and $40 billion to direct child care.

More Information for Small Businesses / U.S. Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/article/2021/mar/11/american-rescue-plan-act-elevates-small-business-support-response-covid-19-pandemic

Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act

The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program will officially reopen January 11, accepting loans only from small businesses that have yet to receive PPP monies and will only be accepting applications from those lenders it has indicated as “community financial institutions”.

On January 13, small businesses applying for a second PPP loan will be able to do so but only through community financial institutions. Other participating lenders will be able to submit applications at a later date that has not yet been identified.  Download the summary at the end of this article.

Additional Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns is available for download at the end of this article.

The Economic Aid Act amended the PPP program in several ways which may be reviewed in the PPP As Amended by Economic Aid Act which is available for download at the end of this article.  Here is a PPP legislation bullet-point summary for small businesses:

• The new legislation passed by the House and Senate last week (1) extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and (2) adds deductibility for PPP expenses.
• If you have applied before, you may have an opportunity to apply again. The legislation allows  businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan;
• Expands scope of qualifying PPP Loan expenses to include:
  • “Covered operations expenditures”—defined as business software or cloud computing expenses for business operations, product or service delivery, payroll processing, payment, or tracking, human resources, sales and billing functions, or accounting or tracking of supplies, inventory, records, and expenses.
  • “Covered property damage costs”—defined as costs relating to damage and vandalism or looting due to public disturbances in 2020 that were not covered by insurance or other compensation.
  • “Covered supplier costs”—defined as supplier payments that are essential to the borrower’s operations and were made either (1) pursuant to a contract, order, or purchase order in effect prior to the covered period, or (2) with respect to perishable goods, pursuant to a contract, order, or purchase order before or during the covered period.
  • “Covered worker protection expenditures”—defined as operating costs or capital expenditures incurred by a borrower to facilitate adoption of business activities to comply with applicable laws and guidance relating to COVID-19. For example, this could include expenditures on drive-through improvements, ventilation or filtration systems, physical barriers, expansion of business space, establishment of health screening capabilities, or other assets as determined by the SBA in consultation with HHS and the Secretary of Labor, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • “Payroll Cost Clarification” - To the extent there was doubt about whether group life, disability, vision, or dental insurance could be included as “payroll costs,” the new legislation clarifies that these expenses are included and thus are eligible uses and qualify for loan forgiveness.
• EIDL program expanded by $20 billion;
• Additional funds for arts/culture/entertainment:$15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss;
• Expands eligibility for PPP Loans including chambers of commerce, housing cooperatives, section 501(c)(6) organizations and certain news stations;
• Codifies federal rules that ensure churches and faith-based organizations are eligible for PPP loans;

This summary is not comprehensive and is not intended to give or be relied upon for legal or financial advice, and no action should be taken without the advice of a legal or financial professional. Further information will be provided by the Federal Government and Small Business Administration

Learn more…

Download documents:
PPP As Amended by Economic Aid Act
PPP Second Draw Loans
Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns
Arizona 504 3rd Party Lender Ranking 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2021
SBA Form 3509 PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire For Profit
SBA Form 3510 PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire Non-Profit

SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less

On Thursday, October 8 the SBA released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.  Learn more...

PPP Loan Forgiveness Form 3508S Instructions
PPP Loan Forgiveness Form 3508S

Arizona MEP Emergency Assistance Program

The Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP) is now accepting applications from Arizona manufacturers in need of assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The enhanced support is made possible by a one-time allocation as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, awarded to AZ MEP by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The funds will be used to subsidize services delivered by AZ MEP to help manufacturers overcome the impact of the pandemic. Support is also available to assist companies that are producing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies in response to COVID-19.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Companies will be notified of acceptance into the program within one week of submitting their application. Applications can be submitted online here.

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released the application and instructions for how Paycheck Protection Program borrowers can see their loans forgiven. The application includes a worksheet that details how to calculate the amount of the loan that can be forgiven and provides a summary of costs eligible for forgiveness. The SBA also provided a list of documents borrowers have to submit with their forgiveness applications. Learn more…

Download the SBA PPP EZ Loan Forgiveness Application (6-16-2020) English
Download the instructions for the SBA PPP EZ Loan Forgiveness Application (6-16-2020) English

Download the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (6-16-2020) English
Download the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (6-16-2020) Spanish
Download the PPP Loan Forgiveness Instructions (6-16-2020) English

CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses – available in English en espanol!

The Arizona Small Business Association and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to create the CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses (www.caresactaz.com). This online training program helps small businesses access the capital they need, helping both novice and experienced borrowers successfully access relief funds with have individualized support to apply for loans.

The CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses provides this individualized support for free. The program is customized to the business owner’s borrowing experience. It provides 2-5 online classes that will walk businesses through everything from the basics of finance to submitting loan applications.

 Contact Laura Ciscomani from the AZ Chamber of Commerce at lciscomani@azchamber.com for assistance.

SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19. 

Download the CARES Act SBA Summary.
Download the CARES Act Program Comparison Chart

The CARES Act assists small businesses in the following ways:

Paycheck Protection Program: This program is now closed to applications as of June 30, 2020. Zero-fee, low-interest small business loans up to $10 million. Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of 500 employees or that meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500, any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location and sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons are eligible to apply. View Program Information...

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): EIDLs are loans of up to $2 million that carry interest rates up to 3.75 percent for companies and up to 2.75 percent for nonprofits, as well as principal and interest deferment for up to 4 years. The loans may be used to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses. With the Governor’s emergency declaration, every county in our state is eligible to receive relief through EIDL grants. Visit the SBA Guidance and Loan Resources page for more information and to apply.

SBA Emergency Economic Injury Grant: $10 billion in funding to provide an advance of $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits that apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) within three days of applying for the loan.

The grant does not need to be repaid, even if the EIDL request is denied. EIDL can be used to provide paid sick leave, maintain payroll, meet increased production costs, or pay business obligations like rent or a mortgage.

Visit the SBA Guidance and Loan Resources page for more information and to apply.

SBA Express Bridge Loans: If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan.

SBA Debt Relief: The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.  Under this program:

The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.

The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.

Visit the SBA Guidance and Loan Resources page for more information and to apply.

For program questions or assistance in completing the SBA application online, businesses may contact the following:

SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.
SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) www.score.org
Arizona’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) https://www.azsbdc.net/where-we-are/locations/

Main Street Lending Program: The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending 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). Learn more…

View Main Street Lending Program FAQ