Emergency Declaration Helps Businesses Hurt By Coronavirus

LONG ISLAND, NY — Relief for small businesses buckling under the strain of coronavirus restrictions may soon be on the way.

On a call with the media Thursday, Suffolk County Steve Bellone said the federal government had just issued an emergency declaration to provide economic injury disaster loan assistance to small businesses.

The declaration opens the door for the U.S. Small Business Administration to make economic injury disaster loans available to both small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in the state of New York, including Suffolk County, Rep. Lee Zeldin said.

The SBA’s economic injury disaster loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue — the loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, account payable and other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster, Zeldin explained.

“Over 99% of businesses in the entire country are small businesses, and, employing nearly 50% of our entire workforce, the health and vitality of our local small businesses are critical to our entire way of life,” said Zeldin. “This critical support for our local small businesses will help ensure that they and the Long Islanders who rely on them emerge stronger than ever on the other side of the coronavirus outbreak.”

To determine eligibility and apply, click here.

In addition, work continues on a county business response plan, Bellone said, with a county business service unit created. Business owners who need help should call 311. Suffolk County business owners affected by COVID-19 should take the business impact survey at suffolkcountyny.gov/bru or call 311, he said.