SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Disaster Loan Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers useful guidance and steps that are great to follow in preparing your business for the impact of COVID-19 and to determine if you may qualify for financial assistance related to this disaster.

The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

To begin your application, visit the website at: www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Use these slides as guidance for applying for the Disaster Loan.

Do not hesitate to contact the FSEDI office with any questions.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Temporary Signs

Retail and Service Business Operators:

Beginning March 20, 2020, you may install one temporary sign on your property to let the public know you are open and providing service to the community. Please send an email to Beth Lewis, Zoning Administrator, at blewis@franklinva.com, or call 757-562-1003 to indicate where the sign will be located and how large it will be. This will be available as long as Franklin and Southampton County are under a declaration of emergency.

Please note these signs may not be located in the public right-of-way, and MUST be removed when the emergency declaration ends.

USEFUL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

If you do not follow the Facebook accounts below, please give them a LIKE to get up-to-date information as this situation is ever evolving. (Click the name to be taken to the Facebook page).

• Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.
• Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Franklin Association
• City of Franklin
• Governor of Virginia

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Below are links to various organizations designed to help small business owners navigate the economic uncertainties the coronavirus brings.

Better Business Bureau (BBB):
www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21714-business-tips-how-to-navigate-the-coronavirus-crisis

Center for Disease Control (CDC):
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

Main Street America:
www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/resourcecenter/covid19resources

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
www.uschamber.com/coronavirus

For up to date information, please check the FSEDI COVID-19 web page by clicking here and the FSA Chamber of Commerce web page by clicking here.

SUPPORT YOUR FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESSES

All restaurants listed above are offering take-out services to patrons throughout the month.

Below are additional ideas to support your local business owners:

• Buy a gift card to use once the stores re-open
• Some stores may be open, just not for walk-in customers. Give your favorite stores a call and place an order over the phone.
• Engage with their social media platforms: like, share, comment!
• Check in with small business owners and employees