COVID-19 BUSINESS RESOURCES
The resources listed below will continue to be updated and added to as we receive more information about programs that could benefit our community. Funding for many of these programs is limited, if not already exhausted, but we encourage businesses to try applying in the event more funding becomes available. If you are aware of any other opportunities or information you would like to see listed here, please let us know.
Recovery
Financial Support
Forward Virginia - Phase Three
As Virginia moves toward recovery, Forward Virginia lays out Virginia's plan to help guide the Commonwealth on safely easing public health restrictions. The blueprint includes a phased approach in opening businesses and lays out specific goals to contain the spread of the virus through increased testing, personal protective equipment and supplies, and business operation.
Wythe County's Open for Business - Recovery Assistance Grant
Funding for the Rent & Mortgage portion (county wide) of this program is still available, but the revenue based portion of this program (except for Rural Retreat businesses) has been exhausted.
The Open for Business – Recovery Assistance Grant has been made available to businesses operating in Wythe County, the Town of Wytheville, and the Town of Rural Retreat. The remaining funds for this grant program provides one time, emergency funding to eligible, for-profit businesses for rent and mortgage relief. More information, the application, and attachments are available here and are currently being accepted.
Rebuild! VA Small Business Grant Program
While this program has exhausted its funding, we still encourage you to apply, if possible, in case additional funding becomes available.
REBUILD VA HAS EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for its grant program to allow more small businesses to apply. Businesses that received CARES Act funding are now eligible to receive a $10,000 REBUILD VA GRANT. Businesses that have received CARES Act funding must certify that they will only use the Rebuild VA grant for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as the other CARES Act funds. The application is open and available here: https://vsbfa.force.com/s/login/
Small Business Financial Support Options
Compare SBA and private disaster loan programs side by side to understand which might work best for your business.
Virginia 30 Day Fund
The non-profit Virginia 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Virginia-based small businesses. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum three days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding.
Small Business Administration Loan
While this program has exhausted its funding, we still encourage you to apply, if possible, in case additional funding becomes available.
This program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $15,000 with an available loan advance of $1,000 per employee up to $10,000. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
Paycheck Protection Program
While this program has exhausted its funding, we still encourage you to apply, if possible, in case additional funding becomes available.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
Google Ad Credits
Small and medium businesses worldwide that have been active advertisers since the beginning of 2019 will be informed in the coming months through notifications within their Google Ads account.
Verizon & LISC Grants
Signup to receive information when the next round of funding becomes available.
Yelp – Restaurant/Food Service Advertising
As part of this relief effort, restaurants and nightlife businesses that remain open will receive free access to Yelp page upgrades, including Business Highlights and Call To Action, as well as Connect, which will help them communicate timely information to their customers.
Help Main Street – Gift Cards
Help your local business by buying gift cards to provide critical cash support during the COVID-19 crisis. @helpmainstreet drives 100% of proceeds to small businesses.
Workforce
Safe Workspaces
VDH Interim Guidance: Information for Food Establishments Regarding COVID‐19
Working Remotely
Working From Home? 12 Guides To Help Navigate The Remote Life
Associations Now - How to Manage Your Newly Remote Workforce
Unemployment
Taxes
Federal
The IRS has extended the filing deadline and federal tax payments regardless of amount for federal taxes to July 15. For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Virginia
Sales Taxes - Businesses impacted by coronavirus can request an extension of the due date for filing and payment of their February 2020 sales tax return due March 20, 2020, for 30 days. When granted, businesses will be able to file and pay no later than April 20, 2020 with a waiver of any penalties. For more information, visit Virginia Tax Bulletin 20-3: Option to Request Extension of Sales Tax Deadlines for those Affected by the COVID-19 Crisis.
Income Taxes - Any income tax payments due during the time period of April 1, 2020, to June 1, 2020, will now be due on June 1, 2020. This includes individual and corporate income taxes paid to Virginia Tax.
We will continue to update this section as new information is available. Also visit https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/coronavirus-updates
Additional Resources
Commonwealth of Virginia's Actions and Support
Visit https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/ for comprehensive information from Virginia on topics like Health, Education, Business, and much more. News from the Governor and answers to FAQ’s can be found here.
USDA's COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs can support recovery efforts for rural residents, businesses and communities through technical, training, and management assistance; financial assistance; and state and local assistance.
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Visit https://www.vatc.org/grants/cv19businessresources/ for a wide range of resources to support our travel industry and business partners who have been impacted by COVID-19. These resources will be updated as they become available.
Virginia Department of Agriculture
Visit https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-emergency-information.shtml for information and guidelines for agriculture related operations and activities.
CommonHelp
Visit CommonHelp’s website to learn about health care coverage for you and your family. Also apply for help with food, childcare, heating and cooling bills, health care and cash assistance.
Wythe County Partners
CONTACT US
Downtown Wytheville - (276) 223-3343
Joint IDA of Wythe County - (276) 223-3370
Virginia's Industrial Advancement Alliance - (276) 223-4726
Visit Wytheville - (877) 347-8307
Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce - (276) 223-3365