Month: March 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Business, Economic Development, & Local Government

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Updated May 27, 2020. Below is a list of business resources I’ve been compiling for State of Connecticut Businesses. This is a clearinghouse of resources, not an official site.  Please refer to the state resources below for official and legal guidance.

Economic development leaders, commissioners, and practitioners are invited a new unmoderated state listserv for information sharing- to subscribe go to: https://s.uconn.edu/econdevlist 

STATE OF CONNECTICUT RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

Note information and guidance is changing rapidly.  We will do our best to keep these resources updated as agencies provide updates. Stamford Economic Development Director Thomas Madden has also compiled an excellent list of business resources including legislation, bills, and loan information here.

Additional Resources

FEDERAL RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES

(Note: the SBA is currently finalizing disaster declarations related to Coronavirus. Once these are released, small businesses can apply. Check the website daily to see if/when CT will be eligible and/or call the CT SBA Office at 860-240-4700)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

Economic development leaders, commissioners, and practitioners are invited a new unmoderated state listserv for information sharing- to subscribe go to: https://s.uconn.edu/econdevlist 

    OTHER BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

    • SBA/SBDC Tips for Businesses – As Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID19) spreads, it creates concerns in all our communities both in relation to staying healthy and safe, but also in terms of how local businesses may be impacted. We have assembled a list of tips and resources to assist you.
    • The City of Bellevue Washington has created a great site for impacted businesses here. Some resources are Washington specific but this Guide on Planning for a Coronavirus Pandemic – A Guide for Businesses and Organizations is a great summary of preparedness steps. One great tip from this site: It is extremely important to document business impacts as the situation is unfolding, both for insurance purposes and for potential future relief efforts by state and federal agencies.   Be sure your existing records are in order and keep records as the situation changes.
    • Washington SBDC Business Resiliency Guide 
    • CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers – “All employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illness and lower the impact of COVID-19 in their workplace in the event of an outbreak in the US. They should identify and communicate their objectives, which may include one or more of the following: (a) reducing transmission among staff, (b) protecting people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications, (c) maintaining business operations, and (d) minimizing adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains.”
    • OSHA- US Department of Labor Updates 
    • Resources and Guidelines for Business from the US Chamber of Commerce “The U.S. Chamber is working closely with the White House, U.S. government agencies, and foreign government officials to inform and equip businesses with the most important and up-to-date information to ensure we are all adequately prepared to protect Americans at home and abroad.All employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from the Coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. Download these guides created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to learn more about how employers and employees can prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus.”

      Be well- Laura Brown

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      Laura E. Brown, MS, CEcD
      Community & Economic Development Educator
      University of Connecticut – Department of Extension