Getting Started in Entrepreneurship: Business COVID-19 Emergency Aid and Resources

In response to the economic impact of the current health crisis, Mecklenburg County has partnered with Carolina Small Business Development Fund to create a program designed to assist the county’s small businesses. Small businesses in the County that have been profitable for two years with 50 or less employees may be eligible.

The Small Business Rebound Program leverages MBA talent from top universities such as Stanford, Duke, UNC and Clemson. Over the next 8-weeks 50+ MBAs will provide virtual counseling as part of the Central Piedmont Small Business Center’s Rebound Program. MBAs will assist with general strategy and business model redesign, finance and cash management plans, marketing, data and analytics, and more.

The Small Business Center has moved all of its programming and free one-on-one business counseling to a virtual platform, including hosting bi-weekly free webinars to help business owners gain skills to pivot during this time.

A list of resources to help your small business respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and support the economic health and well-being of the Charlotte business community.

LISC is supporting the small business community through multiple partnerships, including the Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund which provides grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19.

NCDHHS has a comprehensive list of executive orders passed by Roy Cooper that impact businesses in North Carolina, and resources guidance on how to continue modified operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provides assistance with continuity planning, disaster capital, and other resources to help your business manage during the current crisis.

CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. What does your business need to do?

SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.

The U.S. Department of Treasury CARES Act provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses, and preserve jobs for American industries.

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.