COVID-19  RESOURCES

COVID-19 RESOURCES

COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Small Businesses (include but not limited to)

  • Where possible, Preemptively provide employee health screenings to ensure that employees do not arrive at work within 72 hours of exhibiting COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.
  • Implement Employee safety protections including incorporating the CDC’s COVID-19 hand-washing protocols, providing personal protective equipment and other CDC recommended practices.
  • Use products approved by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to enhanced sanitization and disinfecting practices and place an emphasis on high-traffic locations such as dining areas, restrooms, escalators, stairs, directories, trash bins and door knobs.
  • Deploy hand sanitizing stations will be throughout the facility.
  • Promote and enforce social distancing practices, including occupancy limitations, furniture and restroom spacing, closure of play areas and strollers, as well as coordinated traffic flow with traffic signage and distance markers.
  • Safeguard Shoppers by making available protective masks, sanitizing wipes and temperature testing at entrances of facility or offices, as well as the encouraging shoppers stay home if they have exhibited COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms within 72 hours.
  • Prominently display signage which promotes CDC guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene throughout the facility properties.

Resources for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

CRA Small Business Assistance Grant Program: Mom-And-Pop/GIG Worker Assistance Grant Program

The City of Quincy Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces a COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant Program established to ensure the recoverability of the local economy by providing temporary financial support to small businesses located in the CRA district.

Please read through the Selection Criteria and Eligibility Requirements for the QUINCY COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Assistance Grant for “Mom and Pop” Businesses and Gig Workers prior to completing your application. Please ensure you have attached all required supporting documentation to your application. If you have any questions, please contact the QCRA staff at (850)933.0287 or by e-mail at rnixon@myquincy.net.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a for profit business based in the Quincy Community Redevelopment Area, with more than 1 and fewer than 25 employees.
  • Must have been engaged in on-going, legal business operations prior to February 28, 2020
  • Must be in a business deemed “non-essential” due to the pandemic like gyms, barbershops, hair salons, restaurants, car washes, certain retail stores. (Refer to https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-91-compressed.pdf for listing of essential businesses).
  • GIG Workers must be registered with the City of Quincy prior to award.
  • Demonstrate a minimum reduction of 50% in revenue as a result of COVID-19 – by an affidavit.
  • Have an active Utility Account with the City of Quincy in good status.
  • Pledge in good-faith to remain in business for at least 45 days following the receipt of funding.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Program award recipients will be selected solely on the basis of the eligibility requirements above and available funding on a “First Come, First Served” basis. Each applicant will be screened for compliance with the eligibility requirements on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis by QCRA staff or other persons designated by the QCRA Manager.

Each Assistance Grant recipient will be required to provide QCRA with documentation that the Assistance Grant was used in a manner consistent with the terms of the Assistance Grant. All data is kept. CRA staff will verify all submissions. Failure to use funds for eligible uses will void agreement and subsequent disbursements.

Supporting documentation includes lease agreement, utility bills, invoices for eligible expenses, payroll certification and insurance policy statements.

Awards

  • Eligible Mom-and-Pop businesses may qualify for up to $5,000.
  • Gig workers may qualify for up to $1,500.
  • Grants must be used for legitimate business expense: rent, utilities, business insurance, operational expenses and marketing brochures or advertisements.
  • Once approved, Grants will be disbursed in two separate payments over a 30-day period. The second payment is contingent on proof that the first payment was used for allowed purposes.
  • Accessibility of this program is contingent on funds being available.
  • Applications will be scored and funded on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted.

GRANT APPLICATION

Submit completed Assistance Grant application and supporting documentation to:

City Manager’s Office, Quincy City Hall

ATTN: Quincy Community Redevelopment Agency (QCRA)

404 W. Jefferson Street

Quincy, FL 32351

or via email at rnixon@myquincy.net.

Type “Small Business Grant” in the email’s subject line.

 

The following is a partial listing of web resources supporting small businesses and employees affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.floridadisaster.biz  This web site was created by the Florida Department of Economic opportunity and features a variety of information on the CARES Act and small business resources including unemployment compensation data. Florida small business owners should go to this web site to register their business(es) and complete the small business damage assessment. Additionally, business owners can apply for the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan which can provide loans to qualified businesses of up to $50,000.

www.sba.gov  The web site is the primary site for the U.S. Small Business Administration. On the homepage, COVID-19 business resource information may be accessed quickly. The key business products for COVID-19 promoted here are: Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance, SBA Express Bridge Loans and the SBA Debt Relief Program. Some of these loan programs provide “loan forgiveness” opportunities. The SBA web site showcases guidance and best practices to business on how to operate while managing a strong COVID-19 prevention protocol. Enterprise Florida, Inc., Florida public-private partnership for economic development has provided this link to a SBDC guidebook (https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/Small-Business-Guide-to-COVID-19.pdf) for small business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

http://floridasbdc.org/small-business-preparedness-recovery-resources-for-the-coronavirus/ The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is funded and supported through a partnership between the University of West Florida and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Small Business Development Center at FAMU is the nearest resource for small business counseling and technical assistance, particularly regarding the SBA products.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web site provides comprehensive data and timely information on diseases including the Coronavirus 19. The web site has a special section containing recommendations and guidance to employers and businesses.

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf  This link is to the Occupational safety and Health Administration’s publication entitled “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.”

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments The Internal Revenue Service has listed tax relief assistance to those affected by COVID-19.

https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hosts this web site which provides and overview of federal, small business resources dedicated to assisting businesses through the pandemic. This web site is a good resource for understanding what initiatives and programs are being formulated as part of the federal response to COVID-19.

https://prosperausa.org/es/ This web site provide resource and assistance information in Spanish.

https://fightinghunger.org/  Second Harvest of the Big Bend is an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in the Big Bend region of Florida.

https://www.careersourcecapitalregion.com/  CareerSource Capital Region provides comprehensive employment and workforce services for our region. There are special sections on the web site to assist employers and career-seekers during the pandemic.

https://fclf.org/fclf-news-and-updates-item/covid-19-resources-for-florida-nonprofits-and-small-businesses The Florida Community Loan Fund web site provides information on assistance for non-profit organizations and small businesses.