Government Assistance/Loans
Thanks to your efforts, the Chamber’s and our Federal, State and Local representatives, the SBA officially declared an Economic Disaster Relief Area for businesses suffering because of the current coronavirus crisis!
- Your business may be eligible for emergency grants and loans. To find out, visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, for information on SBA disaster assistance.
- For a detailed explanation of SBA’s Disaster Loans, read the SBA’s Three-Step Process Factsheet: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/…/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disas…
- Read more in our 3/19 PWChamber Alert 2020: https://conta.cc/2WrJ1vt
Loans – Information Provided by FVCbank
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is being offered by the Small Business Administration. It is important to note, any business that wishes to obtain a disaster loan will apply directly to the SBA through their application portal, https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ all requests are processed and funded by the SBA. Here are some key points:
- Loan amounts are available up to $2,000.000 and will be provided in the form of term loans only, no lines of credit.
- Purpose is restricted to working capital only. Funds can be used to make existing debt payments, however, cannot be used for payments to federally insured loans (existing SBA loans), for existing federally insured loans, the borrower must request a payment different from their respective financial institution. Business expansion; equipment purchase or funding prior year losses are not eligible uses.
- Terms up to 30 years with NO prepayment penalties.
- Interest rates are 3.75% fixed for eligible for profit businesses and 2.75% for eligible nonprofit businesses (please refer to the PowerPoint for business type eligibility).
- Loans up to $25,000 do not require collateral.
- For loan amounts over $25,000 the SBA will place liens on available collateral including but not limited to business assets and real estate, however, no consideration will be given to the value of the collateral nor the position (second third or fourth lien).
- All fees for such loans are waived with the exception of pass-through expenses (lien search; recordation etc.)
- Current estimated timeline for processing is 18 – 21 days for a decision to be made, 30 – 45 days to close and fund.
- Loans will not be automatically approved, basic underwriting will apply and the company must be able to show ability to repay the debt on a historic basis.
Restaurants
Prince William Food Rescue
- Restaurants may end up having excess ingredients or prepared foods which they wouldn’t have under normal operating conditions. Instead of throwing it in the trash, please consider donating through Prince William Food Rescue to our nonprofit partners who are feeding insecure families all over the community (PWC, Manassas, Manassas Park) – especially during this pandemic. When you have extra stuff, we can coordinate picking it up and delivering it to a distribution location using our Prince William Food Rescue app! Simply call us at 703-441-8606 x261 or upload your donation using our web form: https://admin.foodrescuehero.org/donations/intake/prince_william
- Food Rescue Heroes needed as volunteers to claim rescues and help move food. Simply download our app (Prince William Food Rescue), create a profile, and claim rescues when you can! It’s a great way to get out of the house for an hour and still follow social distancing guidelines!
Firebirds
- We appreciate your continued support of your local Firebirds. Please share the following on your social media sites, website & newsletters and feel free to share with any local resources.
- We’ve put together some of your favorite Firebirds menu items perfect for your entire family. Introducing Firebirds Family Meal Deal starting at $29.95 for 4 people.
- Choose options ranging from Wood Grilled Chicken, Cheeseburgers, Hand-breaded Chicken Tenders to Baby Back Ribs, Wood Grilled Salmon or Center Cut Sirloin. All meals include salad, entrée, side, bread and dessert.
- Place your order for Pickup – We’ll carefully prepare and package your meal. Call when you arrive for curbside pickup. Or place an order for Delivery. Your order will be delivered right to your doorstep.
- Find this promo information at:
Preston’s Pub
- Preston’s Pub is open for carry out and delivery though UberEats, DoorDash & Postmates everyday from 12 noon til 8pm
Business Development / Response / HR Assistance
HR Circle LLC: Sarah Torres-Ferrick
- Offering services (free) to chamber members to answer any HR questions Chamber members have regarding COVID-19.
- Topics range from how to keep workplaces safe to how to move to remote work.
- Contact: sarah@hrcircleonline.com and mention that you are a Chamber Member!
Xpress Copy & Graphics
- Xpress Copy & Graphics here in Culpeper VA would like to offer some discounted pricing on items/services that we are getting calls/orders for such as Emergency Literature, Signs, etc. We are offering a 15% Discount (PROMO Code March15)on these items and Expedited Processing along with Free Delivery. We are also offering Yard Signs at a 50% Discount (PROMO Code YS50). This has been especially helpful to the Medical Facilities in the area. Give us a call if we can help and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs as quickly as possible.
-Joe Woodward, Business Development Manager
Prince William County Department of Development Services
- Support for Affected Workers
- Governor Northam announced the following actions to protect working Virginians impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak:
- No waiting for unemployment benefits.Governor Northam has directed the Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive benefits as soon as possible.
- Enhanced eligibility for unemployment.Workers may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if an employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19. If a worker has been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. In addition, a worker may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.
- Fewer restrictions.For individuals receiving unemployment insurance, Governor Northam is directing the Virginia Employment Commission to give affected workers special consideration on deadlines, mandatory re-employment appointments, and work search requirements.
- The Office of the Governor is providing a Frequently Asked Questions guidefor workers that have been temporarily laid off or discharged during this public health crisis.
- Support for Impacted Employers
- Regional workforce teams will be activated to support employers that slow or cease operations. Employers who do slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.
- The Governor is authorizing rapid response funding, through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, for employers eligible to remain open during this emergency. Funds may be used to clean facilities and support emergency needs.
- Governor Northam is directing all employers to follow U.S. Department of Labor guidance on workplace safety.
SBA
Medical Business Advice
- “As you may know, I am a retired Cardiologist, still a member of the Chamber. I’m not sure how much help I can be, but anything to do with Medical business would be something I could probably help with.” -C.J. Leet, MD, leet@starpower.net
McCall Studio Gallery
- McCall Studio Gallery is helping a healthy older local artist who is out of a regular job, under financial stress during this uncertain time of COVID-19 Pandemic, to sell their handcrafted products at our Gallery Store. I have also given them speaking opportunities at past gatherings for free, as well as organized further opportunities for them to share their talents with the community, to help them make additional money at the Gallery. I have also personally given them packaged food, and job advice to help them during this difficult time.
- Chamber member exclusive offers: McCall Studio Gallery at 9409 Battle St. Historic Manassas, VA 20110 – Retail Specials Limited-Time Only are:
- 20% all retail items in our Gallery Store, from unique artist books, to local handmade artist jewelry and small original art and designs, artist handmade diverse greeting cards, and antique curated items — all great for gifts!
- $25., $10., and $50. gift cards available for purchase at the Gallery, to redeem later!
- Get Inspired! Purchase 10% off Museum “1920’s to the Last Two Century’s!” Art Tour Tickets on Eventbrite for individuals and groups of under 10 people! Also, purchase tour tickets as a Gift! Purchase Tour Tickets at LINK, or in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/museum-art-tours-tickets-100205094134?ref=estw
- Art and Handmade Jewelry Items can be purchased from our Online Gallery store also at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/McCallStudioGallery?ref=seller-platform-mcnav Check back often as we add more items!
- We can DELIVER your purchased items! If you see an art item on our Facebook Page that you would like to buy, we can accept your credit card payment over the phone for it, or by mailed check, and deliver the item to you for FREE! Facebook Page: McCall Studio Gallery Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/794729621021734/
- Save Time at Our One-Stop Shop! Email us at: mccall@dmvisual.com, or Call us at #571-379-7598, if you are just wondering if we carry an item or service you need. We are experts at marketing & communications for all your graphic design service, and creative brand needs, and for gallery customers in helping find that special unique art gift that we deliver!
- For more information, visit our DMVISUAL LLC Division Websites at: Studio Brand ID Services: www.dmvisualstudio.com, Retail Gallery: www.dmvisualgallery.com
Virginia Business
- At Virginia Business, we understand small businesses and nonprofits are facing unique challenges never faced before. We want to help. For May or June, we will GIVE a small business or nonprofit of your choice a FREE ad in that issue with your purchase of an ad. We even can provide creative.
- For more details, contact:
- Lori Waran lwaran@va-business.com
- Lynn Williams lwilliams@va-business.com
- Lindsey Swain lswain@va-business.com
- Sara Gray sgray@va-business.com
Public Relations/Marketing/Communications
Imagine
- Imagine is providing free one-hour marketing consultations to help businesses devise a marketing plan during the current crisis. They are also offering discounted rates for press release writing and distribution. Contact them here.
- Free offer. For a limited time, we’re offering 4 months free of Mailchimp’s recommended Standard plan to businesses new to Mailchimp or on free accounts who have never upgraded.
Lucky Dog Marketing
- We are offering free marketing services to restaurants, breweries & wineries to help them get through this. We’ll run a Facebook & Instagram ad campaign for free to promote their curbside, takeout and delivery services. We’ll connect that to a basic version of our automated messenger service to capture customer information to build a database the restaurant can use for marketing efforts going forward.
- Additionally, for restaurants, breweries & wineries that don’t already have online ordering we will set up a basic online ordering site for them for cost, $50/month. We can have up to 20 items on the menu. Payments are processed through Stripe. No contracts just trying to help people get through this problem.
- Finally we are offering free strategy sessions where we’ll share the strategies that we have put together for our clients in various niches to help them get through his time. We’ve have them for realtors, mortgage loan offices, wholesale food distributors, plumbers, HVAC, cleaners, IT, tutoring, gyms, yoga & pilates studios, crossfit, personal trainers, coaches, martial arts, custom apparel and many others. We’re happy to share them and businesses can implement the ideas for themselves or we’ll charge a reduced rate to implement and manage those services for them.
Tele-Learning Assistance / Child Care
My Gym: Manassas
- “We are doing the best we can to try to provide income for our staff at this time. We have great staff who are well qualified to work with kids.
- If members have children at home that need care, we’d love to be able to match them up with our staff, so they can have income and the other member can have care coverage.”
Tele-Commuting
Sharp Communication Services, Inc.
- Free link: https://www.avaya.com/en/products/cloud/small-business-solutions/spaces-pricing/
- Simply fill out form to get your team and everyone in the same room, no matter where they are: Avaya Spaces is a cloud-based video conferencing and meeting app that supersizes team collaboration online. You create “spaces” for frequent topics and ongoing projects. Team members pop into the spaces to message, meet, share content, and more. Every member sees the action, so nothing is missed, and work keeps moving forward.
- This simple, convenient way to communicate and manage tasks is a step up from individual video conferencing or messaging apps, combining both without the jump to large and expensive platforms. Your entire team works and meets wherever they might be, using any device. From screen sharing to video, voice, and chat with productivity and organizational tools, use Avaya Spaces to get work done. Basic gives voice conference for up to 50 people for remote user and is FREE. If you prefer or need something more robust – there is a small monthly fee, video and conferencing for 200 ($6) or up to 500 end users ($18) is also available. AVAYA is also doing FREE “SPACES” for non profits who are listed in charitynavigator.org (for ex: Chamber member; GFWC Dominion WOmans Club is user)
Milrich Virtual Professionals, llc
- “We are a virtual assistant company and have been providing remote work to clients for over 10 years. If anyone needs assistance with figuring out how to work from home – I’m happy to offer a free call or email to offer suggestions. If anyone needs additional remote assistance during this time, we are also offering reduced rates to new clients. Please feel free to reach out” – melanie@milrichvirtualprofessionals.com
Fairfield by Marriott Potomac Mills
- Our hotel is going to offer a day-use rate for people that are working from home because they can’t go into their office but with the kids can’t get anything done so we are going to offer them a sleeping room to use for some quiet time away from their house to get some work done.
Hampton Inn Hotel – Manassas
- Have an important conference call or a big project to finish? We are offering a day rate guestroom for $51.00 plus tax to use as office space between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Each guestroom is equipped with complimentary wireless internet, a desk, and a refrigerator. Please call 703.369.1100 to make your reservation today!
Supply Assistance
JunkLuggers
- Offering to help haul food and supplies to those in need. This company has previously assisted The House of Mercy to transport food (turkeys) and toys as pictured:
Xiao-Yin Byrom and the Tang’s team
- Xiao-Yin and her team of seamstresses have started making face masks which we intend to donate to first responders.
- We can also make gowns for a minimum price. Just enough to pay staff.
- Please let us know how we can help.
Senior / Health Care
ACTS
- Senior Link: These are simple five to ten minute calls to home-bound seniors to check in to see how they are doing, offer services, or simply to provide personal contact. The demand for these is likely to increase (as we will be advertising the service), and we do not expect to be able to meet the demand with current staff and volunteer levels.
- It requires very little training to make these types of calls – the are NOT crisis calls.
- These calls can be made from either our Manassas or Dumfries offices. As the only other people in these buildings will be administration, social distancing will be easy to accommodate.
- Kate Long, our Helpline Director, will coordinate this operation (klong@actspwc.org).
- Similarly, we expect demand for food to increase. The majority of our regular Hunger Prevention Program volunteers are seniors and will not be coming in. Volunteers will be needed to prepare bags of food for clients and others to make home deliveries.
- We have expanded our food pick-up hours to 9:00-3:00 Monday through Friday (closed for lunch 11:30-12:30). Clients will simply need to check in and pick up their bags. They will do this at the garage door, so no one will be coming into a closed office. To do this efficiently, we need to continually be pre-bagging food.
- We are also offering to expand our grocery home delivery program. This will require additional staff/volunteers to make deliveries. Except in those instances where recipients are physically unable to handle the bags themselves, we will be leaving the groceries at the front door. Background checks are necessary to deliver to people’s homes.
- Shirley Couteau, our Volunteer Coordinator (scouteau@actspwc.org) will coordinate scheduling.
Comfort Keepers Manassas
- PWC Chamber, If members have loved ones in Assisted Living or Nursing Homes or similar group conditions and:
- Social distancing is not optimal;
- The environment may be too risky for seniors until conditions improve; and
- Would like to have the care provided in the home-
- We may be able to offer some in-home care options with discounted pricing, etc.
Trillium Center
- During these tough times Trillium Center has changed from an in-person center to phone service. With that in mind, we are offering a warmline, where people can call in simply to chat or receive support. We also have a Facebook Trillium Virtual Center. We are also offering conference call groups.
Community Assistance
NOVA Veterans Association
- NOVA Veterans is distinct in how we support our veterans in need. We focus on the most vulnerable veterans; the elderly, low-income, and health-challenged. We provide personal, one-on-one coordinated care and support using our comprehensive network of vetted and proven local resource partners. Our partners focus on the critical areas of safety, essential needs, healthcare, housing, legal, transportation, finance, employment, family/caregiver support, and other social determinants of health. This approach supports veteran and family empowerment, positively impacting their health and wellbeing and providing steps for the veteran’s easy involvement to improve her/his quality of life. NOVA Veterans is the only organization in Virginia with the specific mission of supporting our most vulnerable veterans by coordinating services and providing case management until all needs are met.
- Visit our website www.novavets.org or contact our Director of Services Melissa Dargis through email: Melissa@NOVAVETS.ORG or phone: 703-659-0852
Banking
Northwest Federal has announced:
- “We’d like to share with you the additional steps that we are taking to help keep our members, staff and community safe while providing you with continued access to your accounts.
- Our branches remain open to serve you. We ask that if you are not feeling well, you do not visit a branch.
- Please also note that our cash reserves and processes remain strong. We will have the cash you need at our ATMs and branches.
- As an alternate to visiting a branch, remember that most transactions can be conducted via Online or Mobile Banking, or by contacting our Member Service Center at 703-709-8900 or 844-709-8900 (toll-free.)
- We are continuing to take extra care in our branches to clean high-touch surfaces on a frequent basis. Also, beverage service in our branches has been temporarily suspended.
- In response to recommendations from authorities regarding social distancing, our back office staff is conducting business and holding meetings remotely for at least the next two weeks.
- In addition to these efforts aimed to maintain health and safety, we are also offering a Relief Line of Credit for those who may experience a financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We are here to help address any financial needs or concerns you may have.”
Home Services
Washington Gas
- Washington Gas has suspended disconnects, in an effort to help customers.
- The Virginia State Corporation Commission subsequently issued an Order suspending disconnects for 60 days.
Town Announcements
Town of Occoquan
- Restaurants
- As of today some Occoquan restaurants have closed completely. Others remain open. Most are offering curbside, pick-up to go. This is already in place for Third Base, Grind N Crepe, Bar J Chili, Bann Thai, and the Spot. Others like Madigan’s, the Secret Garden Cafe, the Tap Room, the Virginia Grill (all still open) and D’Rocco’s are considering offering the service soon. The Town is working to reserve parking spaces for curbside, pick-up to go customers for those restaurants who need it.
- Business and Employee Relief
- A number of business owners have contacted me requesting information on potential federal, state, and county loan or tax deferral programs available to assist small businesses during this time. I have been in touch either directly with our elected representatives at all three levels, or their offices, and they are all working to secure assistance or implement relief policies through the relevant agencies. While the federal government is working on providing such aid through the Small Business Administration (click here for the SBA’s COVID-19 web site), Virginia is not yet one of the eligible areas. Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny A. Boddye has a page on his website (https://occoquandistrict.net/covid19-resources-county-response/) dedicated to updates and resources on COVID-19 where he plans to post information on business relief when such information becomes available. Dominion Virginia Power, PWCSA, and Washington Gas have all suspended disconnection actions during this period. At the Town level I have asked the Town Attorney to investigate whether or not the Town has the authority to defer BPOL tax payments (currently due May 1) and will be raising this issue with the Town Council.
- For employees the Commonwealth of Virginia has waived the normal waiting period for those seeking to file unemployment claims. This is available to individuals who have been laid off or have had their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19. Information on this is available at http://www.vec.virginia.gov/node/11699.
- Town Council Meeting
- The Town Council plans to proceed with its scheduled meeting this evening. Public seating will be limited, and chairs for both council members and the public will be separated by the recommended distance. Relevant surfaces will be sanitized. Again as a reminder, please note that the Town web site (www.occoquanva.gov) contains links to the Prince William County Emergency Management website (https://emergency.pwcgov.org/) and to the Virginia Department of Health (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/), which contain information and updates on COVID-19 in our area. If you still have questions about COVID-19 after visiting these sites, you may call (877) ASK-VDH3 (877-275-8343) to speak with a public information representative.
- Lastly, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email at eporta@occoquanva.gov, or by my personal cell phone (571-276-8695), if you have any questions or concerns.
Helpful Links:
- Facebook Offering: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants?ref=alias
- Unemployment Insurance Update: http://www.vec.virginia.gov/node/11699
