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Home / For Local Businesses / COVID-19 Business Resources

Please note – For your safety & the safety of our employees the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development will operate by appointment only at this time.  Please call us at 540-853-2715 or email econdevl@roanokeva.gov with details of how we can assist you & the appropriate Economic Development Specialist will contact you.

Thank you!

 

 

COVID-19 recovery continues as the Commonwealth has transitioned into Phase Three of reopening with additional restrictions.  This page is designed to provide a synopsis of resources for businesses impacted by COVID19.  Statewide measures have been put in place, as of December 14, 2020, in an attempt to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.  All public and private in-person gatherings are limited to 10 people.  This includes outdoor and indoor settings.  All Virginians age five and older are required to wear face coverings in indoor spaces, outside of their places of residence, and outdoor spaces where six feet of distance cannot be maintained.  All individuals in Virginia must remain in their places of residence between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the exception of obtaining food and goods, travel to and from work, and seeking medical attention.  Employees who can telework are encouraged to do so.

All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies must adhere to guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning.  The Virginia Department of Health will enforce violations of the guidelines.  Violations are a Class One misdemeanor.  The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room.  All of these businesses must close by midnight and bar seating is not permitted.  Overnight camps are closed and recreational sports require physical distancing.  Governor Ralph Northam is directing teams comprised of health departments, VA ABC, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other licensing agencies to conduct unannounced visits to businesses to ensure COVID-19 restriction compliance.

Executive Orders

Rebuild VA Grants 

Governor Ralph Northam has allocated an additional $20 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the Rebuild VA economic recovery fund.  This allocation is designed to meet the demand for the program and fulfill pending grant applications.  Rebuild VA assists small businesses in losses and costs related to COVID-19 by providing grants of up to 3 times the applicant’s average monthly eligible expenses, not to exceed $100,000.   Learn more about this opportunity.

https://www.governor.virginia.gov/rebuildva/

Informational Flyers in Multiple Languages:

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer- SPANISH

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer- KOREAN

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer- CHINESE

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer- VIETNAMESE

Rebuild VA Informational Flyer- ARABIC

Additional Grant Opportunities

LISC Small Business Relief Grant:  Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission. Priority will be given especially to entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically under-served places who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. LISC Small Business Relief Grant FAQ’s and Application

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant – Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic.  For more information on this program, see SBA’s website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant

Local Business Loan Opportunity

The City of Roanoke, Roanoke Economic Development Authority, and Total Action for Progress partner to offer small business loans.

Federal Relief

The Coronvirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020.  The $2.2 trillion package provides relief to workers and small businesses through loans, some which are forgivable.

Paycheck Protection Program – Reopened January 11, 2021

The Paycheck Protection Program provides loans for payroll expenses if businesses under 500 employees retain their workers, and the program has been extended until March 31, 2021.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) will forgive loans if all employees remain on the payroll for eight weeks and the loan is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.  If employees have already been terminated, business owners can apply for a loan if the employees are rehired.  Loan payments are deferred at least six months and up to one year.  Applications requesting loan forgiveness can be submitted eight weeks after loan approval.  Loans are available through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any participating federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, Farm Credit System institution, and other regulated lenders enrolled in the program.    Find a Participating Lender

For more information on this round of the program, see SBA’s website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-0 and this recorded presentation by the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVOjM6uwBg8&feature=youtu.be with accompanying presentation slides: PPP2 Presentation Slides

Paycheck Protection Program in Different Languages

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

The SBA’s EIDL provides economic support through loans to small businesses to help recover the temporary loss of revenue experienced by COVID19.  This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees, private non-profit organizations, 501(c)(19) veterans organizations, or tribal businesses.  Business owners can receive an advance of up to $10,000, a portion of the loan which is forgivable.

EIDL Application

COVID Business Emergency Loan Guide

COVID Business Emergency Loan Guide – SPANISH

What are your needs?

We know, you, our business owners are trying to determine how to maintain during this difficult time, and your time is valuable.  The surveys below are offered by the Roanoke Department of Economic Development and Roanoke Regional Partnership.  Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys.  This information will help determine your needs.

Roanoke Region:  COVID-19 Business Impact Survey

Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge also has a survey to assess the needs of businesses in the hospitality industry.  Again, please take the time to complete this survey if it pertains to your business.  This information is valuable in determining the path to recovery.

COVID-19 Virginia Blue Ridge Tourism Impact Survey

Open a Bank Account

During this time, it is crucial for citizens to have bank accounts.  A bank account allows citizens quicker access to their wealth through direct deposit of payroll checks, direct deposit of state and federal tax refunds, and direct deposit of stimulus checks.  If your employees do not have a bank account or do not have a bank account that meets their financial needs, they are encouraged to visit the link below, which includes information about the Bank On Roanoke Valley (BORV) Program.  BORV offers bank accounts with nominal or no fees, and can assist customers who may have difficulty attaining bank accounts due to a barrier such as poor credit history.

BORV Resources

Citizens who have bank accounts, but did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019 can enter their bank account information to receive stimulus checks electronically, giving them quicker access to their wealth.

Submit Your Bank Account Information to the IRS

Additional Resources

City of Roanoke COVID-19/Coronavirus Business Assistance Page

Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

Virginia Tourism Corporation – COVID-19 Industry Response Toolkit

Virginia SBDC COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity website

 

 

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Contact Us

City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development
117 Church Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
econdevl@roanokeva.gov
540-853-2715
  • Start, Locate, Expand
    • Sites and Buildings
      • Available Buildings
      • Available Sites
    • Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology
      • Available Properties within RCIT
      • Employers in RCIT
      • RCIT Development Standards
    • Planning, Zoning, and Permitting
    • Entrepreneurial Resources
    • Incentive Programs
      • Enterprise Zone Program
      • Commonwealth of Virginia Incentives
      • Economic Development Authority Entrepreneur Grant
      • Historic Tax Credits
      • Opportunity Zones
      • New Market Tax Credits
      • Real Estate Tax Exemption Programs
      • Small Business Administration Programs
    • Workforce Development Programs
  • For Local Businesses
    • Incentive Programs
      • Enterprise Zone Program
      • Commonwealth of Virginia Incentives
      • Economic Development Authority Entrepreneur Grant
    • Workforce Development Programs
    • Sites and Buildings
    • Business Visitation Program
    • Economic Development Authority
      • EDA Board Members and Terms
      • EDA Meeting Schedule and Minutes
      • Industrial Revenue Bond Financing
      • Outstanding Industrial Revenue Bond Issuances
  • Data and Demographics
    • Community Profile
    • Map Center
    • Higher Education
    • Infrastructure and Utilities
      • Broadband
      • Electricity
      • Natural Gas
      • Rail
      • Major Highways
      • Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
      • Foreign Trade Zone and Port of Entry
      • Water/Sewer
    • Roanoke Regional Partnership
  • About Roanoke
    • Strategic Advantages
    • Location
    • Major Employers
    • Living in Roanoke
    • Visiting Roanoke
    • Economic Development Authority
      • EDA Meeting Schedule and Minutes
      • EDA Board Members and Terms
      • Enterprise Zone Facade Grant Program
      • Industrial Revenue Bond Financing
      • Outstanding Industrial Revenue Bond Issuances
    • About the Department of Economic Development
      • Our Team
    • City of Roanoke Website

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