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 to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned. Read more…

Count On NC Restaurants

The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has an innovative public health initiative for safely reopening restaurants  while addressing consumers’ need for trustworthy standards. Called Count On Me NC , the program provides specific guidance to restaurants, hotels, and other businesses on best practices to protect guests for the phased reopening after Gov. Cooper’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

Non-profit Resources

The United Way of Central Carolinas and The Foundation for the Carolinas have launched the Covid-19 Response Fund to provide resources to area nonprofits. Grants will be made to nonprofit organizations that help those individuals and families in Mecklenburg County most impacted by the pandemic, with a special emphasis on supporting families struggling with homelessness and housing instability. 

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. Here is the NC Department of Commerce’s Employment Security Covid-19 Overview.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Small and midsize employers can take advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. And the The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor provides this information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19,

Tax-Day Postponement

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service have extended the federal income tax filing due date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. And here are postponement guidelines for filing with the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services

This website has the state’s most current information and guidance for businesses and employers. There’s also this  Guidance for Environmental Cleaning for Non-Healthcare Settings, 

Smart Restart Supplies

This list of local suppliers offers links to vendors who are supplying masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, deep-cleaning services and more. Find what you need here — or if you are a supplier and want to be added to the list, let us know!

More Resources

• Town of Matthews Covid-19 Updates & News
• Mecklenburg County’s Toolkit for Small Businesses
• Mecklenburg County Covid-19 Updates and Resources
• Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Covid-19 Resource Portal
• NC Small Business and Technology Development Center Covid-19 Resources
• North Carolina Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resource Guide 
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Response Toolkit
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus Information
• Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov Business Disaster Preparedness Guide