Jessica Tullar, Author at Matthews Chamber of Commerce, Matthews, NC

Resources

The Matthews Chamber of Commerce is committed to being a go-to resource for our business community during the Covid-19 Response and beyond. We’ll present information you can trust on this website, and we’ll present regional experts in virtual meetings – all designed to help you build business success. Check back to this page often for updated information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In for updates. And email us if you have suggestions or need additional information on any business-related topic.

March 20, 2020

March 20, 2020

U.S. Small Business Administration Offers Loans

UPDATED April 21, 2020 — While President Trump signed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the CARES Act) on March 27, the Small Business Administration is unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Business owners may be wise to complete applications and prepare the necessary documentation, in the event Congress appropriates more funding for these programs. Here are some resources to help you […]

March 20, 2020

March 20, 2020

Now Easier to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits

If you’ve had to lay-off staff because of the COVID-19 public-pause, there’s some help available for your former employees. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a March 17th Executive Order that makes it easier to qualify for unemployment benefits. You can read the full order here, but some of the changes the Order creates: It removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment payment for those workers who lose their jobs; It removes the requirement that a person must be actively looking for another job during this time when many potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are […]

March 20, 2020

March 20, 2020

Tax Deadlines Postponed

UPDATED March 31, 2020 — The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. Corporate taxpayers are allowed a similar deferral of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. “Americans should file their tax returns by April 15 because many will receive a refund. […]

March 23, 2020

March 23, 2020

News You Can Use

UPDATED May 27, 2020 — The Matthews Chamber of Commerce has compiled this list of resources for businesses looking for Quick Links to valuable information. Check back often for updates – and send us your recommendations for pages to add! NC Moves into “Phase 2” of Covid Recovery Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order on May 20 that will move into “Safer At Home Phase 2” on Friday, May 22 at 5 pm. Read Executive Order No. 141. After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s key COVID-19 indicators remain stable, but daily increases in case-counts signal a need […]

March 24, 2020

March 24, 2020

Small Businesses Can Apply for Loans from Golden LEAF Foundation

UPDATED May 4, 2020 — Yesterday, the North Carolina Legislature finalized a relief package to address the Covid-19 pandemic in North Carolina, which included $125 million to expand a low-cost small-business loan fund run by the Golden LEAF Foundation. The North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms. This rapid recovery loan helps small businesses bridge the gap between when crisis strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover. Who is eligible? Applicants must be a North Carolina small business affected by […]

March 24, 2020

March 24, 2020

Governor Cooper Pauses in “Phase 3”

UPDATED November 10th, 2020 – Governor Roy Cooper announced in a press conference that North Carolina will remain “Paused” in Phase 3 for the next three weeks. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Governor Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic. For FAQ regarding the latest Executive Order, Click Here. The following Phase 3 restrictions have been lowered: North Carolina’s indoor mass gathering limit will be lowered to 10 people in an effort to drive down key COVID-19 metrics (The […]

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

A Primer on the Paycheck Protection Program

UPDATED April 16, 2020 — In early April, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), providing for $349 billion in forgivable loans designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it had approved 1,661,397 loans, exhausting the program’s allotted funds. It can’t accept or approve new applications unless Congress signs off on additional funding, which at this point seems unlikely before early May. If your loan application has been approved, your money is likely on the way: Lenders are required by the Treasury Department to […]

April 9, 2020

April 9, 2020

Matthews Businesses Eligible for Meck County Loans

UPDATED: Mecklenburg County has created a COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Stabilization Loan Fund and a Micro Business Stabilization Fund. The funds are made possible by the County’s partnerships with Carolina Small Business Development Fund and Centralina Council of Governments. Funds will be distributed to qualifying small businesses and micro businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The application process for both funds will be simple and quick, with disbursements available within 10 days of a completed application. COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Stabilization Loan Fund The County has committed $5,000,000 for this fund. Small businesses (up to 50 employees) located in Mecklenburg […]

May 8, 2020

May 8, 2020

Smart Restart: Your Playbook for Recovery Success

Download your free copy of Matthews Chamber’s Smart Restart. This Recovery Success Playbook outlines industry-by-industry best practices for safe and successful re-opening as we lift Stay-at-Home restrictions. This information, gleaned from industry associations and experts, was compiled by chambers of commerce across the country to give America’s business owners timely guidance on the smart safety measures to take to assure quick economic recovery success. Many thanks to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for their leadership role in creating a template for North Carolina’s Chambers. Download your free copy

March 20, 2020