News

$mall Business $upport - Coronavirus Relief

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU ...

Dear Member:  During this unprecedented health crisis, be assured your Chamber is working hard to support local small businesses and non-profits that are so vital to our communities’ health and economic recovery.  Our $mall Business $upport effort is focused on government and private relief to businesses and workers.  We are partnering with agencies and organizations to leverage all possible resources available.  

Our Support Small Business campaign is about immediate action, transition and long-term sustainability.  It promotes what consumers can do now and in the future to ensure the commercial success of our members.

We understand this is a chaotic time for all.  Know that we are representing your interests every single day as we meet this challenge together.

Sincerely,
Mary Lanning, President, Board of Directors


North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery for Small Businesses

Update! Monday, May 4 - Additional Funding Available!

Supported by Golden LEAF. The North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. This rapid recovery loan helps small businesses bridge the gap between when crisis strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover.

Website Espanol


Southwestern Community College Small Business Center

Website |  828-339-4426

VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS on key business support are scheduled regularly. Follow the SCC Small Business Center on Facebook for timely and up to date business support information including funding relief, webinars, and other expert guidance.  

Virtual Town Hall Co-Sponsor(s): SBTDC, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Highlands Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Bryson City Chamber of Commerce, Jackson, Macon and Swain Economic Development


NC Small Business Training Center

Access resources from North Carolina's small business service providers online at www.sbtdc.org/coronavirus


NC Rural Center’s ThreadCap recovery loan program

Thread Capital has an online application for small businesses needing immediate funding support www.threadcap.org. They are currently designing a rapid recovery loan product with no payments or interest for 6 months, $50k max. 

Thread is a subsidiary of the NC Rural Center. They are leading a statewide collaborative partnership of CDFIs to respond to the economic impacts on small business. Partners in our region include Mountain Bizworks and NCIF. 


Small Business Guidance from the CDC 

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-small-business.html


#SaveSmallBusiness Grants

The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation has created the "Save Small Business Fund" to provide $5,000 COVID-19 supplemental relief grants to as many small businesses as possible. Applications will be available at SaveSmallBusiness.com starting Monday, April 20th at 3:00 p.m. Vistaprint is a founding partner in this program and has generously donated $1 million to the fund.

Most Cashiers Area business zip codes qualify to apply for this just-announced funding (if they also meet the other size and impact grant guidelines.) Apply as soon as possible starting Monday.

SALVAR LA PEQUEÑA EMPRESA Una ayuda a los empleadores experimentando dificultades durante la pandemia del COVID-19.

El Fondo para la Salvar la Pequeña Empresa (Save Small Business Fund, en inglés) es un fondo que ofrece subsidios de 5,000 dólares que proporcionan alivio a corto plazo a los empleadores de los Estados Unidos y sus territorios. Una breve solicitud estará disponible el 20 de abril de 2020 a las 3:00 p.m. SaveSmallBusiness.com/spanish


Mountain BizWorks Payroll Protection Program Loans 

Click Here for details from Mountain BizWorks on Payroll Protection Program Loans for Nonprofits & Small Businesses. Mountain BizWorks, in partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, is working to provide increased access to the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for nonprofits and small businesses in Western North Carolina – with a focus on rural, minority, and women-led organizations.

A note from SCC Small Business Center: For business owners that have been having trouble finding a local bank to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program our partners at Mountain BizWorks is now processing applications for all business owners in Western North Carolina.

To be clear, if you have already applied with your bank then please contact the Small Business Center before submitting another application.

Your business can only have one active application being processed with The Small Business Administration. We want you and your business to have access to this program, but we want to ensure that you don't apply at multiple institutions as it could jeopardize your applications being processed.

If you are unsure of the best path please contact us so we can help you make the most appropriate decision.

(See SCC Small Business Center Contact Information Above)

Mountain BizWorks Online Application

Small Business Administration’s PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) provides forgivable loans when money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Small businesses (including individuals who are self-employed or independent contractors and who meet certain standards), eligible nonprofit organizations, veterans organizations, and tribal businesses may qualify for financial assistance. www.sba.gov