Business & Tech
Cherokee Office Of Economic Development Publishes Coronavirus Business Resources
Paycheck Protection Program is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.
March 31, 2020
We know this period of time with the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is difficult for all of us. Please let us know how the Cherokee Office of Economic Development can be of assistance during this time. We are continually monitoring the evolving situation and will provide regular updates on COVID-19’s impact on Cherokee County and resources to help you navigate any challenges.
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Also, we would love to hear how this has impacted daily operations and if your industry has shifted any productions to assist in the need for additional supplies to combat the further spread of the virus. To share your companies story, please reach out to us at info@cherokeega.org.
SBA Loan Application
Following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by President Trump and a request for Georgia from Governor Brian Kemp, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan assistance is now available to businesses in Georgia suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19.
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- Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
- Please note that applicants are applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, so they MUST select the Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Option.
- If they select the wrong option, they do not have to re-register but they will need to start the application again.
- The following PDF explains the Three Step Loan Process: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf.
- Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
- For more information, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster
- New Rule with Georgia Department of Labor – Unemployment
Paycheck Protection Program (SBA)
As part of Phase III of the Coronavirus legislation that was recently signed into law, the CARES Act, Congress included provisions to assist small businesses in protecting the job security of employees. The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing each small business a loan up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses.
If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable. Click here to learn more.
Unemployment
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has adopted an emergency Rule 300-2-4-0.5 Partial Claims, effective March 16, 2020. The rule mandates all Georgia employers to file partial unemployment claims online on behalf of their employees for any week during which an employee (full-time/part-time) works less than full-time due to a partial or total company shutdown caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Download the How Employers File Partial Claims Desk-Aid found on the GDOL Alert Page and follow the step-by-step instructions.
COVID-19 hotline
The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or your local federally qualified healthcare center. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility. Hotline: (844) 442-2681
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines and Resources
Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Information
County/Cities Resources/Declarations
Cherokee County Declaration of Emergency Response
City of Ball Ground Emergency Declaration
City of Canton Emergency Declaration/Shelter In Place
COED Office Information
Events
All public gatherings (groups larger than 10) will be postponed or canceled at this time until further notice. This is out of an abundance of caution for all staff members and event attendees.
Office Hours
We are closely monitoring the situation and impact on our local area. Our office is located on the campus of Chattahoochee Technical College, which has announced it has closed its campuses through April 26 or until further notice. Though our doors may be closed to the public, our office is still open for business. For now, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development will operate during regular business hours. During this time, we will be 100% accessible through phone and email to answer any questions or concerns. To contact an individual team member, visit our COED Team page: https://www.cherokeega.org/about/staff/ or call 770.345.0600.
The Circuit/Coworking Space
We recently received official word from Chattahoochee Technical College that this campus, including The Circuit, will be closed through April 26 or until further notice, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Film Community
We are here to keep your project moving. Unable to make an in-person visit? No problem! We have a rich database of shareable photos of Cherokee’s diverse locations to help you move your story forward. Whether a visiting film team with studio backing or a student just starting out, COED remains dedicated to helping you bring your film project to life.
Film inquiries, please contact Film Project Manager Molly Mercer at 770.345.0600 ext.3280 or mmercer@cherokeega.org .
Cherokee Workforce Collaborative
The Cherokee Workforce Collaborative has been rescheduled for May 12, 2020, from 8-9 a.m. in the COED Boardroom.
We also added some resources for entrepreneurs: https://www.cherokeega.org/covid-19-business-resources/. In addition, we also added the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce to our Resources page.
This press release was produced by The Cherokee Office of Economic Development. The views expressed here are the author’s own.