President Trump announced new federal guidelines on April 17 that governors can use to re-open their states amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The national plan lays out three phases that slowly return life to a "new normal" that continues to use some of the most fundamental aspects of social distancing.

Phase 1: All vulnerable individuals continue to stay at home. Physical distancing must be practiced in public places and non-essential travel must be minimized. If schools are closed, they should stay closed. Visiting senior living centers is still not allowed.

Phase 2: Non-essential travel may resume. People should avoid public gatherings of 50 or more, unless physical distancing is possible. Visits to senior centers would still be prohibited, but schools and day care centers could reopen.

Phase 3: This would be the country's "new normal." Physical distancing in public places is still recommended, but vulnerable individuals can resume public activities. Visits to senior centers can resume.

There is no set timeline for moving through each of the three phases. Governors will make that decision, but a state or region would have to experience another 14-day decline in cases before moving to the next phase.

► Learn More

On April 27, Governor Abbott released the Report to Open Texas, which lays out a clear plan for reopening closed businesses across the state in a phased approach. Access the full report via the link below and find guidance for specific industries and allowable open dates.

► View the Report

► Gov. Abbott's Executive Order Expanding Reopenings

Health Protocols from the Texas Department of State Health Services:

• All Employers & Employees
• Retailers
• Restaurants
• Movie Theaters
• Museums & Libraries
• Churches & Houses of Worship
• Individuals
• Parks, Beaches & Bodies of Water
• Single-Person Offices
• Wedding Venues
• Barber Shops
• Cosmetology/Hair Salons
• Nail Salons
• Gyms
• Non-Essential Manufacturing
• Office-Based Employers

The Paycheck Protection Program is providing small businesses with the resources they need to maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead.

The Paycheck Protection Program established by the CARES Act, is implemented by the Small Business Administration with support from the Department of the Treasury.  This program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Program Overview

• Top-line Overview of PPP (3/31/2020)
• SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loan Report (4/16/2020)
• Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness (4/24/2020)

For Borrowers

• More information (3/31/2020)
• Search Tool: Find an Eligible Lender
• Borrow Application Form (4/2/20)
• Applicable Affiliation Rules

For Lenders

• More information (3/31/2020)
• Lender Application Form (4/2/2020)
• Lender Application Form for Federally Insured Depository Institutions, Federally Insured Credit Unions and Farm Credit System Institutions (4/3/2020)
• Lender Application Form for Non-Bank and Non-Insured Depository Institution Lenders (4/8/2020)

Program Rules

• Frequently Asked Questions (4/24/2020)
• Interim Final Rules 1 (4/2/2020)
• Interim Final Rule on Applicable Affiliation Rules (4/3/2020)
• Interim Final Rule on Additional Eligibility Criteria and Requirements for Certain Pledges of Loans (4/14/2020)
• Interim Final Rule on Requirements for Promissory Notes, Authorizations, Affiliation and Eligility (4/24/2020)

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan provides vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This program is for any small business with fewer than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19.

Businesses in certain industries may have more than 500 employees if they meet the SBA’s size standards for those industries.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance funds will be made available within days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

• Frequently Asked Questions for Faith-Based Organizations Participating in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
• Apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and loan advance

Community Advantage Loan Program
In the Community Advantage program, community-based, mission-focused lenders meet the credit, management, and technical assistance needs of small businesses in underserved markets. Program expiration is March 31, 2020.

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program
Allows for SBA-guaranteed financing on an emergency basis for disaster-related purposes for eligible small businesses to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork while awaiting long-term financing through the EIDL. Program expiration is September 30, 2020.

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide, V.2
Requirements, conditions, and list of forms required to apply for the Bridge Loan (Mar 25, 2020)

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of SBA's debt relief efforts,

• The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months.
• The SBA will also automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020.

Additional Debt Relief

For current SBA Serviced Disaster (Home and Business) Loans: If your disaster loan was in “regular servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the SBA is providing automatic deferments through December 31, 2020.

What does an “automatic deferral” mean to borrowers?

• Interest will continue to accrue on the loan.
• 1201 monthly payment notices will continue to be mailed out which will reflect the loan is deferred and no payment is due.
• The deferment will NOT cancel any established Preauthorized Debit (PAD) or recurring payments on your loan. Borrowers that have established a PAD through Pay.Gov or an OnLine Bill Pay Service are responsible for canceling these recurring payments. Borrowers that had SBA establish a PAD through Pay.gov will have to contact their SBA servicing office to cancel the PAD.
• Borrowers preferring to continue making regular payments during the deferment period may continue remitting payments during the deferment period. SBA will apply those payments normally as if there was no deferment.
• After this automatic deferment period, borrowers will be required to resume making regular principal and interest payments.  Borrowers that cancelled recurring payments will need to reestablish the recurring payment.

If you have questions about your current loan and whether or not your loan is automatically deferred, please contact your Loan Servicing Office directly using the following information:

• Birmingham Disaster Loan Servicing Center:
  • Phone: 800-736-6048
  • Email: BirminghamDLSC@sba.gov
     
• El Paso Disaster Loan Servicing Center:
  • Phone: 800-487-6019
  • Email: ElPasoDLSC@sba.gov

$50 million in loans to small businesses in Texas

Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund, along with other community development financial institutions (CDFIs), are partnering to provide $50 million in loans to small businesses in Texas that have been affected by COVID-19 as part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

These loans, made through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), will primarily be used for payroll so that employees can continue to receive paychecks and small businesses can retain their employees and will be partially or wholly forgiven.

Goldman Sachs will provide the capital as part of its $550 million commitment to COVID-19 relief, and LiftFund, alongside other CDFIs, will administer the funding to qualified small businesses. If all stipulations are met, small business can have their loans forgiven in full by the SBA.

►Business owners can apply for a PPP loan and find more information about the program on the LiftFund website.

LiftFund is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in San Antonio, that helps small business owners with limited access to capital. The company offers small business loans and minority business loans for entrepreneurs. LiftFund partners with SBA lenders and other lending institutions to provide startup loans, SBA 504 Loans, and microloans in Texas, and throughout the South Eastern U.S. In 2018, LiftFund had 591 donors, 118 investors, 500 partners, and 100 employees.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals.  Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.

Upcoming

Tuesday, May 12 | 2-3 p.m.
The State of Energy: Industry in Peril
How will the energy industry’s downturn affect Houston's economy? How will the decline in global oil demand impact Houston’s energy workforce now and in the future? Those issues and much, much, more.

Register

Thursday, May 21 | 10-11 a.m.
Ready, Set, Grow!
Get unstuck by learning proven and practical tools that will facilitate a more peaceful and energized life.

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On-Demand Webinars

Is A Virtual Event Right for You? 
The Wolford Group

In this season of postponed and canceled events, The Wolford Group explores the considerations to decide the next steps that are right for your organization and gives concrete examples of virtual events that are working.

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COVID-19 Legislation and SBA Resources for Nonprofits
Briggs & Veselka

Resources to help nonprofits understand the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act and SBA Loans.

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Managing Ourselves and Team During and After Crisis
Coaching & Consulting Experience, LLC

Resources for you and your team and the necessary steps to take launch your business.

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