VCEDA Compiles List of COVID-19 Business Assistance Resource Links
There are a number of resources available to employers and small business owners whose businesses and employees have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus, or COVID-19.
VCEDA has compiled a list of links to make it easier for businesses to navigate through the variety of loan and grant programs available – from those offered through the Small Business Administration to those programs referenced in the recently-approved CARES Act.
Resources available include:
* Forgivable loans for qualified employers;
* Enhanced unemployment benefits for affected workers;
* Measures to help employers meet financial obligations to provide paid family and sick leave benefits;
* 50 percent tax credit for qualified wages paid during the crisis; and
* Emergency child care information and other resources.
Links to programs and information available include the following:
Small Business Administration:
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
U.S. Treasury Department (which links to CARES Act and more):
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act
OSHA for guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID19:
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor overview:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200320
Paycheck Protection Program:
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave
Full text of the Cares Act:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text
Virginia Chamber of Commerce:
Interested persons may also contact any of the following offices to learn more about workforce programs available: Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board, 276-608-1851; Virginia Employment Commission, 276-963-2660; or Small Business Development Center at Southwest Virginia Community College, 276-964-7345.
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Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, right, presents a ceremonial seed capital matching grant check to Tony and Carey Watkins, center, co-owners of Cheesy does it LLC. Also pictured is Ernie McFaddin, left, chairman of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority.
Cheesy does it LLC Awarded Seed Capital Grant
Carey and Tony Watkins originally purchased land in Russell County on which to camp and then to build a small home, but in 2012, they left their corporate lives in North Carolina and moved to their hobby farm on 115 acres in Castlewood, where they retired. In April 2019, they officially opened a mobile food truck business, Cheesy does it LLC, which recently was awarded a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
The food truck offers unique grilled cheese sandwiches and paninis, as well as tomato basil bisque in cooler months, cheesy chips and cheesecake. The business is focused on providing services to Wise, Russell, Tazewell, Buchanan and Washington counties and the City of Norton and in the past has booked lunches with employers throughout the region.
“VCEDA was pleased to be able to assist Cheesy does it LLC with a seed capital grant. Their mobile food truck is providing food services in the region, taking their unique menu to various localities and businesses.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Cheesy does it LLC.
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Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, right, presents a ceremonial seed capital matching grant check to Dave Powers, D&LP owner, center. Also pictured is Tim Blankenbecler, left, of the Small Business Development Center at Mountain Empire Community College.
Seed Capital Grant Awarded to D&LP
It’s not everyone that has a miniature steam railroad on their property, but Dave Powers in Dungannon, Va., has just that. Powers opened D&LP, which stands for “Dave ‘n the Little People,” which when it opens in late summer will offer adults and children alike the opportunity to experience a steam locomotive ride on a miniature scale. D&LP was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) seed capital matching grant.
Three hundred tons of gravel, 1,200 railroad ties, another half mile of track and a new steam engine later, Powers hopes to be ready to open at his 4710 Sinking Creek Hwy., Dungannon, Va., location by August 2020. Materials are on site now and the work to get it all in place is underway.
“Assisting entrepreneurs to grow their businesses is what the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Grant program is all about. D&LP presented a unique business opportunity which also adds to the tourism economy in the region which has been a focus of VCEDA for a number of years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about D&LP.
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Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel, left, presents a ceremonial seed capital matching grant check to J.D. Range, Beartown Barbell Club LLC co-owner, center. Also pictured is Ernie McFaddin, chairman of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority. Not pictured is Beartown Barbell Club LLC co-owner Andrew Salyer.
VCEDA Approves Seed Capital Grant for Beartown Barbell Club LLC
James (J.D.) Range and his business partner, Andrew Salyer, of Lebanon, Va., decided when they opened Beartown Barbell Club LLC that the new fitness facility would go beyond a normal gym facility and focus more on the strengthening and conditioning aspects of fitness. Beartown Barbell Club LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
The new facility, located at 383 Technology Park Drive in Lebanon, Va., offers 24/7 access to its members through an app on their smart phones. Staff is on site Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to providing equipment for strengthening and conditioning, the business also has plans to offer youth camps, to host fitness and powerlifting competitions, to present lectures from coaches and trainers from around the country and to offer both personal training/coaching and online training/coaching as well as nutritional guidance.
“VCEDA was pleased to be able to assist Beartown Barbell Club with a seed capital matching grant to grow its idea of creating a space focused on the strengthening and conditioning aspects of fitness. The new business projects two full-time employees and one part-time employee within three years.”
Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel
Read more about Beartown Barbell Club LLC.