Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
Please continue to check this page for updated resources to assist businesses and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial assistance:
- PPP reopens: SBA Re-Opening Paycheck Protection Program to Small Lenders on Friday, January 15 and All Lenders on Tuesday, January 19. PPP reopens for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. If you intend to apply for a first or second PPP loan, you are encouraged to contact your banker as soon as possible.
- Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application Form (Jan 8 2020)
- The National Restaurant Association has distilled it into a seven-page “PPP User Guide" for Restaurants. The document can be found online here.
- PPP Payment Extensions: The Small Business Association (SBA) announced a deferral for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Payment Extensions for an additional 10 months. Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application.
- Rural Relief Small Business Grants: Small business owners in rural communities are invited to apply to the next round of the Rural Relief Small Business Grants program. Only businesses located in rural communities are eligible to receive a Rural Relief Small Business Grant.
Next round: January 26 - February 2, 2021. - The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. The application portal is open to eligible small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses impacted by COVID19. Apply for assistance here: https://sba.gov/disaster. If your COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan was declined, you can request reconsideration within six months of the date of the decline letter. Include your application number and information required to overcome the reason for decline. You can send this information via email to pdcrecons@sba.gov or mail to the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155.
- Helpful contacts:
- SBA Coronavirus info
- IRS Coronavirus info www.irs.gov/coronavirus
- SBA disaster hotline 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
- Spencer SBDC office
State of Iowa:
- Iowa COVID-19 Vaccine Web Page
- Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is sharing data on statewide COVID-19 vaccine administration. These updates will be published each week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reports will initially be static visualizations, including high-level information on vaccine administration totals, as well as county-level information. The dashboard will be housed on the existing https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/ website.
- Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Committee Recommendations for initial prioritization populations for Phase 1B administration of COVID-19 vaccine (1.11.2021)
- Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation modifying public health measures (1.7.2021)
- Full proclamation (1.7.2021)
- Gov. Reynolds encourages Iowans to step up, stop the spread (11.19.2020)
- COVID-19 Response: When to Quarantine For Business, Education, and Child Care Settings (9.29.2020)
- Governor Reynolds’ Open Letter to Iowans on COVID19. Watch here. (8.7.2020)
- Test Iowa site
- Iowa COVID-19 website
- Iowa Department of Public Health website
Osceola Regional Health Center:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Sign up: Osceola Community Health Services continues to give vaccines to Phase 1A priority populations into the New Year. Instructions for Phase 1B groups have not yet been released. The Iowa Disease Advisory Council will determine Phase 1B populations next, and OCHS will begin communications and distribution for the populations when instructions are received in writing. If you are interested in receiving the COVID-19 Moderna vaccination, please complete and submit the secure form on this webpage to be added to the list: http://www.osceolarhc.org/covid-19-vaccine/
- Pam Juber, RN, Director of Public Health shares updates on the CDC quarantine changes and vaccine distribution. Also updates on hospitalizations, monoclonal antibodies and testing. (12.10.2020)
- Ben Davis, CEO of Osceola Regional Health Center, shared an update on new treatment options and vaccine distribution (11.25.2020)
- Talking with Children about COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) (8.5.2020)
- Avera New Normal Business Toolkit (7.8.2020)
- Osceola County (IA) Mental Health Coalition statement
- Avera COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines
School District Updates:
- Sibley-Ocheyedan School District COVID-19 Information
- Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District updates
- Harris-Lake Park School District Updates
- Sheldon Community School District Updates
- Iowa Workforce Development provides guidance on recently authorized federal benefits programs. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 (1.11.2020):
- PUA: Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 50 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. The additional 11 weeks can only be paid as of Dec. 27, 2020, with the first eligible payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- PEUC: Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 24 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. The additional 11 weeks can only be paid as of Dec. 27, 2020, with the first eligible payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- FPUC: Now provides $300 per week to supplement benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after Dec. 26, 2020, through March 13, 2021. To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving UI, PEUC, EB, Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA), Voluntary Shared Work (VSW), Disaster Unemployment (DUA), or PUA. FPUC benefits will not be paid from July 27 to Dec. 26, 2020, per federal guidelines. FPUC eligibility will begin on Dec. 27, 2020, with the first payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- MEUC: Now provides an additional $100 per week in supplemental benefits to individuals receiving certain unemployment insurance benefits who received at least $5,000 of self-employment income in the most recent taxable year ending prior to the individual’s application for regular unemployment compensation. Authority to make MEUC payments continues through weeks of unemployment ending on or before March 14, 2021.
- PTO and Unemployment Benefits Talking Points
- Unemployment insurance customer service line: 1-866-239-0843.
- Covid 19 for workers
More Business Resources:
- Travel Industry Relief Resources (1.14.2021)
- Federal Resources for U.S. Small Businesses
- COVID-19 FAQ for Restaurants, Bars and other food businesses (updated 11.11.2020)
- FAQs about COVID-Related Employment Law Compliance (7.21.2020)
- The Iowa Economic Development Authority published guidance for businesses during the pandemic. Click here for signage, checklists and additional guidance.
- It's important to adhere to safety measures in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. OSHA has prepared safety guidelines for many industries here.
- Iowa's SBDC has produced resources with printable posters and checklists that businesses can use during the pandemic. Visit www.iowasbdc.org/back2biz.
- Business Capacity Calculations (Iowa Dept of Public Safety)
- Retail Ready to Reopen COVID19 Resources
- Small Biz Best Practices (from ISU Iowa Retail Initiative)
- Resources for Restaurants
- CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers
Resources for non-profits:
- Resources for Nonprofit Organizations from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
- Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19
USDA Resources:
- USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19 (9.2.2020)
- USDA to Provide $1 Billion in Loan Guarantees for Rural Businesses and Ag Producers
- USDA's COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
Other resources:
- COVID Recovery Iowa offers free virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans affected by COVID‑19.
- A 24/7 hotline for Iowans to call with COVID-19 related questions: Call 211 or 1-800-244-7431.
- Iowa Concern Hotline:800-447-1985.
- Iowa Resource Coordination Center to help farmers through the pandemic
- Alliant Energy Energy Assistance
- COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Hotline: 1-877-558-2609.
- Iowa Legal Aid: 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak: What you need to know
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
- Child Care Guidance in Response to COVID-19 from Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral. For questions call (877) 216-8481.
- Funding Opportunities Available to Childcare Programs
- DHS Child Care Availability