COVID-19 Resources for Downtown Dearborn Businesses

The East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities are closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please read our community statement here and check this page often; we will continue to update it as resources become available.

Downtown Dearborn

·  The City of Dearborn is expected to announce in mid-June a new grant program for small businesses through their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Join our Dearborn: Open for Business Facebook group page to find out which businesses are open and specials, promotions and/or modifications offered by our Downtown Dearborn shops and restaurants.

 

 

Look for the “15 Minute Parking + Curbside Delivery” signs placed throughout the districts at key locations.
Please also note that at this time, Dearborn Bike Share has been postponed for spring until further notice due to COVID-19. Click here for more information.

 

The Open Door Dearborn grant program offers financial assistance for business start-up, facade improvements and expansions in the districts. Applications are open year-round.

Best Practices For Businesses

A great example of Dearborn coming together with a little help from a well-known friend.

Dearborn Business and Property Owner Virtual Town Hall

Dearborn Business and Property Owner Virtual Town Hall Presentation and Recording

REOPENING GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES

Wayne County

  • Wayne County and TCF Financial announced a $6 million loan fund ($3 million from each) to support small businesses in Wayne County.  The intent is to provide microloans between $5K-$50K with interest rates 0-2%, with the first six months interest free.
  • Michigan Small Business Relief Grant: Up to $10,000 is available for small businesses to cover payroll, rent and other operating expenses through Wayne County. Applications are live now.
  • Loan comparison chart
  • Wayne County’s new website is where businesses can find information on the Wayne County/TCF loan program, webinars and trainings, resource materials and technical assistance — all in one spot.    Wayne County is also preparing to offer “Start-up Kits” to help small businesses re-open. It will include safety guidelines for reopening properly, and PPE and sanitary equipment. Stay tuned for details.

Small Business Administration

  • Applications for Federal Paycheck Protection Program Resume April 27
    • An additional $310 billion was approved to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to provide forgivable federal loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
    • The SBA will resume accepting applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
    • Small business owners who have previously applied for PPP funding are encouraged to verify the status of their pending application with their lender. More information on how to apply for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program is available at www.MIpaycheckprotection.com.
  • Congress passed legislation that makes $1 billion available to the Small Business Administration to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA Economic Injury Disaster declaration makes disaster loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Small businesses that could benefit from SBA loans are encouraged to start collecting the information they’ll need to complete and submit their application.
    • Apply for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
    • Click here for examples of information needed.
    • For additional information or to obtain help preparing the loan application, contact the Michigan SBA offices in Detroit or Grand Rapids. 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

  • Easy-to-follow guide on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency.
  • Small business owners’ Guide to the CARES Act.

State of Michigan

  • Stay-Home Order Extends to May 15, Lifts Restrictions on Certain Businesses and Activities
  • In what’s considered a preliminary stage of Michigan’s efforts to re-engage the economy, Gov. Whitmer announced today she is extending the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order to May 15 and lifting restrictions on certain businesses including plant nurseries, lawn care operations and curbside pickup and delivery services, so long as social distancing guidelines are maintained. Through the order, she is also making it a requirement that shoppers in enclosed retail areas wear non-medical face masks.
    READ EXECUTIVE ORDER
  • The governor, under the federal CARES Act, signed an agreement between Michigan and the U.S. Dept. of Labor to implement Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation programs that grant benefits to workers who do not already qualify for state unemployment benefits.
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Interim Recommendations for COVID-19 Community Mitigation Strategies.
  • The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is providing guidance to Michigan employers on how to avoid potential layoffs related to COVID-19. The governor has expanded the state’s Work Share program that can temporarily subsidize employer payroll to avoid layoffs during declines in regular business activity.
  • Employee Rights Fact Sheet for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leaver under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
  • Additional unemployment resources for employers can be found here.
  • Eligible employees can apply for unemployment benefits online.
  • Pure Michigan Business Connect – connecting suppliers with buyers including much needed medical supplies related to COVID-19
  • Governor Whitmer-s MI Safe Start Plan

Michigan Small Business Development Center

 

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

  • Resources for Michigan businesses during COVID-19
  • Pure Michigan Business Connect is providing up to $1 million in grants for Michigan businesses looking to retool and manufacture critical supplies. Learn more and apply.
  • The Michigan Economic Development Corporation works to increase the availability of capital for companies in Michigan at every stage of development. Capital Access Support for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: As small and medium-sized businesses across the state are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, existing programs within Capital Access provide opportunities to access financing that may not otherwise be available. Any business that has been affected by COVID-19 is eligible to receive support through the Collateral Support and Loan Participation programs. We encourage participating lenders across the state to work with their existing business customers to consider whether these programs could offer access to critical capital, with our team standing ready to help. Available programs include:
    • Capital Access Program: The Capital Access Program (CAP), is available to assist businesses with capital needs. Similar to a loan loss reserve fund, the bank, the company and the MSF pay a small premium into a reserve that makes it possible for the company to receive fixed asset and working capital financing. (More information provided below)
    • Collateral Support Program: The Collateral Support Program works to provide cash collateral accounts to lending institutions to enhance the collateral coverage of borrowers. This program seeks to enable borrowers to acquire the necessary financing that may otherwise be unavailable due to a collateral shortfall. (More information provided below)
    • Loan Participation Program: The MEDC can participate with a lender for new financing that decreases the lender’s credit exposure. For projects with speculative cash flows, the MEDC may offer a grace period on repayments.

City of Dearborn

  • The City of Dearborn has launched a webpage with the latest updates and information on COVID-19 including health guidelines from state and county officials, city services that may be impacted, resources for residents, closings and cancellations and other important information.

Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Dearborn

Beaumont Health Foundation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Tips for keeping your home and workplace safe

Google’s Small Business Support Program

  • Google has announced new $800+ million commitment to support small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), health organizations and governments, and health workers on the frontline of this global pandemic.

VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESS GRANT

Verizon has made available a new round of funding through LISC to support small businesses that are faced with having to close their doors to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus. LISC will use the funds to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises that don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital in historically under-served communities. The grants are designed to help business owners fill urgent financial gaps from paying rent to meeting payroll until they can resume normal operations or other financing becomes available. You can learn more about this program HERE

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

  • Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries. Click here to learn more.

Main Street America

Retail Business

 

Anyone with questions or a request for further assistance can contact Cristina Sheppard-Decius, executive director of the East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities, at csdecius@downtowndearborn.org.