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ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Small Business Relief Grant – Applications will be accepted beginning at 8 .m. on Jan. 8 through 5 p.m. on Jan. 29.
Douglas County has applied to the state for its allocation of Colorado Senate Bill 20B-001 funding to issue small business relief grants. Eligibility and application requirements have been determined by the state. As a result, the application will be open for a period of 21 days and funding allocations will be determined after all applications have been received. Applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. Jan. 8 through 5 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2021. For more information click here.
Certify My Business
The COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program is a voluntary local certification program that enables businesses to operate at a sustainable capacity while ensuring compliance with COVID-19 transmission controls and best practices. Program success will create consumer confidence, open the economy to the greatest extent possible and control the spread of the virus in our community. Businesses may choose not to be certified, however, only those restaurants obtaining certification are authorized to operate with expanded capacity.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPP) posted Jan. 14, 2021
The SBA has opened a new round of Paycheck Protection Program loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now being accepted for a First Draw offering for first time PPP participants and a Second Draw offering for businesses who previously received a PPP loan. The application period closes on March 31, 2021. Details on both offerings for the program can be found by visiting SBA Funding – Paycheck Protection Programs
Property Owner Preservation Program:
Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs announced the Property Owner Preservation program, resulting from state House Bill 20-1410, a recently-signed act that provides $20 million in direct rental and mortgage assistance to Coloradans experiencing financial need, including $350,000 for legal aid for renters at risk of eviction. Income restrictions may apply based on the chart listed at tinyurl.com/IncomeRequirement. For example, the maximum monthly household income for the month prior to a request for assistance in Denver metro-area counties is $4,579.
Landlords and property owners can apply for assistance on behalf of multiple tenants, and tenants can also apply on their own. Visit https://cdola.colorado.gov/rental-assistance or call 303-864-7810 for the steps to apply.
Douglas County Disaster Emergency Waivers for Businesses to Address COVID-19 Safety Provisions
In anticipation that some businesses will need to modify buildings to accommodate social distancing and other safety measures aimed at minimizing the transmission of COVID-19, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution to temporarily enable the Planning Director to grant waivers to some zoning requirements so that businesses are able to make operational modifications quickly and inexpensively. Examples of the types of modifications that may be requested are expanding the seating area of a restaurant into a patio area, converting parking areas to drive-up lanes to provide curb-side takeout, or adding an external door to enable better circulation within a store.
Please contact Planning Services at 303-660-7460 or [email protected] to inquire about your business needs.
Energize Colorado Gap Fund
The Gap Fund will provide more than $25 million in small business loans and grants to sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 25 full-time employees. The application will open in the coming weeks. More information can be found here.
Unemployment Insurance Claims & Employment Needs:
On April 20, 2020, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment will begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), paying the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits. For more information click here.
- Department of Labor
- OnwardCO.org is a COVID-19 response site that will provide support for individuals in Colorado impacted by job loss by connecting them to essential services, online training programs, and immediate employment opportunities.
- A/D Works has created a COVID-19 page for job seekers and businesses in need of employees.
- File for Unemployment (individuals)
Paid Leave Benefits:
- Families First Corona Response Act – Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Social Security Administration Corona Virus updates
Uninsured Enrollment Information
- Uninsured enrollment information – the State has opened a window to get insurance.
- Information on how uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance
Funding Resources:
Colorado SBDC Preparedness and Continuity COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources (pdf)
The USDA is offering a Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program to help rural communities at this time. This program applies to rural areas outside and city or town with a population under 50,000 (for instance, Sedalia). Applicants should work with their lenders to gain access to the funds.
Business Information Resources:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade updates on COVID-19
- Colorado Dept of Public Health Order Information & Forms CDPHE & Emergency Operations
Douglas County Economic Development Partner Agencies
- Castle Rock Chamber is busy adding all the businesses open in our Town, including lists of Restaurants, Retail, and Professional Services.
- Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation
- Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce
- Castle Rock Economic Development Council
- Parker Chamber of Commerce
- South Metro Denver Chamber
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Denver South Economic Development Partnership