Last Updated 9/25/2020
Perquimans Chamber of Commerce is working to inform and update any information we can on how our community is handling COVID-19 virus. Below you will find link to several informational purposes. If you have any questions please contact us via email. director@perquimanschamber.com. Thank you.
Beginning in 1989 with the Microenterprise Loan Program, small business lending has been a core facet of the Rural Center’s work. Since 2012, we have managed North Carolina’s Loan Participation Program, which buys a portion of loans that community banks and CDFIs make to small businesses. The program is one of the top in the nation for its ability to leverage private lending dollars and to support women- and minority-owned businesses. https://www.ncruralcenter.org/lending/loan-participation-program/
Thread Capital options to help with loans.
NC Rural Center new development: In partnership with Truist, the bank that emerged from the BB&T and SunTrust merger, we are launching a new subsidiary: CornerSquare Community Capital
We are not sure if you have seen the announcement about the MURR (Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief) Program announced by Gov. Cooper yesterday. Here are some links to the press release and to information about the programs.
Link to Press Release:
https://www.nccommerce.com/news/press-releases/governor-cooper-announces-additional-40-million-covid-relief-small-businesses
Link to MURR Program details:
https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/disaster-recovery/mortgage-utility-and-rent-relief-murr-program
Link to Rural Relief Small Business Grants
https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/rural-relief-small-business-grants/
Perquimans Chamber of Commerce Business Tool Kit for Staying Ahead Timeline.. here
Small Businesses and Nonprofits – PPP loans technical assistance. “Are you a leader of a nonprofit organization or faith institution worried about making payroll? You may be eligible to get an SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan through Self-Help. These forgivable loans are available to help cover payroll costs and other eligible expenses like rent, mortgage or utilities. Join Self-Help online for this free, live PPP information session designed especially for nonprofits and faith institutions. This session is open to all interested nonprofits and faith institutions.” DETAILS ATTACHED. Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5293091164934429197
Farmers. As part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will provide up to $2.1 billion in direct payments to specialty crops producers. Read more at: https://horticulture.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/05/usda-supports-specialty-crops-producers-with-direct-payments-for-losses-due-to-covid-19/.
DoD has created an anonymous online tool to assess symptoms of coronavirus. Anyone can use it. Check it out. https://mysymptoms.mil/
North Carolina Health and Human Services information on COVID-19
Albemarle Health Regional Services

Centers for Disease Control and prevention: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Make sure you sign up for the emgerency Code Red alerts on website.
Small Business Information
US Senate Small Business and Entrepreurship: Small Business owner guide to CARES ACT
SBA Lenders Serving North Carolina Small businesses.
US Chamber Business Edge Consulting services
US Chamber Small Business Guide
US Chambers Small Business Guide and Checklist
NC Chamber of Commerce resources for small businesses
SBA Payroll protection program link
Facebook Small business grants
Freelancers Relief Fund – Assistance of up to $1,000 per household for any independent worker in the U.S. who has primarily earned income through freelance work for at least one year.
One Fair Wage – Emergency Coronavirus Tipped & Service Worker Support Fund – Cash assistance to restaurant workers, care service drivers, deliver workers, personal service workers
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund – Emergency funding for those employed by or own restaurants or bars that are facing unforeseen expenses not covered by insurance.
National Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Fund – $500 grants to restaurant industry employees who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 financially
HALO (Help A Library Worker Out) Fund – The EveryLibrary Institute is providing grants of up to $250 for library workers who are out of work or affected by the crisis
Emergency Grant Program (Musicians Foundation) – Grants up to $3000 for medical and allied living expenses for musicians, paid directly to creditors on the recipients behalf.
Allure Coty (Hairstylists and Manicurists) One of three Coty divisions, Coty Professional Beauty — its brands include Wella Professionals, Nioxin, Sebastian, Clairol Professional, Wella Color Charm, Kadus, System Professional, GHD, and OPI — has established a fund of $200,000 through Hairdresser at Heart, an already-existing program that enables stylists to further their careers through scholarships, competitions, and grants. Through this new campaign, licensed hairstylists and manicurists will have the opportunity to apply for a $1,000 award to be used however that beauty pro sees fit.
Professional Beauty Association COVID-19 Relief Fund is designed to help support the licensed beauty professionals who have not been able to work or ar experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Beauty Changes Lives is providing $1000 relief grants to beauty professionals with the help of CND™ and the Horst M. Rechelbacher Foundation
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Are you a United States-based craft artist looking for emergency funds? You must have been involved in craft-making (there’s a definition of “craft making” on the site) for at least three years before your emergency and you must be making a majority of your income from your art. Visit the site to learn more about eligibility to apply to this fund
Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund is offering grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available.
Hello Alice COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant. This opportunity offers immediate grants of $10,000 to businesses affect by the coronavirus pandemic.
Is your business experiencing supply chain disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19?
Find the Manufacturer or Supplier your business needs at ManufacturedNC:
NCDHHS Covid 19 Businesses Resources
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Score.org break even analyst template
Both SBTDC and COA Small business Center can help:
SBTDC Small Business Techonology Development: Need Help with planning and What to do next.. apply online for counseling services. http://www.sbtdc.org/offices/ecsu/
SBTDC Overview of Emergency Loans… Please review if you have any questions.
SBTDC Navigating through Corona Virus
COA Small Business Center is here to help with any needs. Sign up for classes and counseling.
SBA Covid Relief Application link: Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Non-profits, Homeowners and Renters
SBA Resource listing of offices for State and Federal Assistance and Counseling
Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
If you have to layoff employees, please give them this information:
Information on unemployment benefits with the COVID-19 crisis.

Things continue to transform at breakneck speed. Here is some information for you to digest when applying for NC Unemployment Benefits from job loss or layoffs caused by the Coronavirus.
https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information


