COVID-19 Business Updates                                May 4, 2020

We hope that you are staying safe! We will continue to send updates as necessary. We hope that you find this newsletter useful and please know that we value every business in James City County.

If you need to contact us, please email us at  yesjcc@jamescitycountyva.gov or call 757-253-6607.

Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund Launches Partnership with the Virginia 30 Day Fund

The Greater Williamsburg Partnership and the Williamsburg Community Foundation are pleased to announce the Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund in partnership with the Economic Development Authorities of the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund will provide forgivable loans to businesses located in the Greater Williamsburg region. https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3908
More information: https://williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org/small-business-fund/

New Webinar Series: Helping Virginia Businesses Reopen in a COVID-19 World

Virginia Community Capital is sponsoring a new webinar series on Thursdays in May. Each session will be from noon until 1 p.m. and is free. The workshops will help businesses get ready and prepared to re-open after COVID-19 including updated regulations, supply chain updates, marketing, accounting/insurance, employment and more. More information: https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3907
Register online: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/94266678206/

Webinar: Online Sales - How Your Business Can Expand Online

Wednesday, May 13 at 11 a.m.
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3FWAmcIrRTW5H1wR6YaU7Q 
Virginia Community Capital has partnered with Taking Stock Project Management to present a webinar focused on helping businesses review and evaluate various online sales options, how to setup and costs to operate, security and how to cross promote. If you are a retailer interested in expanding online and need to know more about considerations and costs, register for this free online discussion and lesson.

EIDL Update - Agricultural Businesses

The Small Business Administration is unable to accept new applications (except for agricultural businesses) for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding. Find more information online.

The new agricultural eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). SBA is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information needed for their application. At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received.

Survey Input Needed

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is requesting businesses complete the Blueprint to Get Virginians Back to Work Survey. The survey is 14 questions and should take about five minutes to complete. Survey deadline is Friday, May 15.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NWSZB7N

Business FAQs

The Governor’s Office has compiled a list of business FAQs about Virginia’s Statewide Stay At Home Order.

Information Resources

You may also find information from the Governor of Virginia to be helpful at this time.