Mentor Business Owners:
The City of Mentor Planning and Development Office wants to provide you resources and information that we come across to best protect the health and well-being of your workers and your business. In this communication, we aim to let you know about critical resources of which you may or may not be aware for our business community. We live in unprecedented times and we are fully cognizant of the severe impacts this ongoing crisis is having for you and your business.
The City of Mentor remains open, accessible, and available to address any of your concerns as businesses. Do not hesitate to reach out to our department for any and all questions related to the resources we outline below or other things on your mind. We will do our best to answer them. As more resources become available, we will send out additional information to you, and as resources are updated in real-time, we’ve coordinated with our partners at the Lake County Port and Economic Development Authority to utilize a COVID-19 resource page for Lake County businesses at https://lcport.org/covid-19. Additionally, the State of Ohio has distributed a Economic Damage Assessment Survey located at https://odsa.force.com/EDASurvey if you might be willing to fill it out.
Mentor’s strength as a City is because we have a close-knit community that stands up for each other and next to each other. In a time of crisis, it is no different – and when we emerge from this crisis, it will be no different. We stand at your service.
Kevin D. Malecek
Director, Economic Development and International Trade
440.974.5736
malecek@cityofmentor.com
Kelly Conrad
Economic Development Administrator
Executive Director, Mentor Economic Assistance Corporation (MEACO)
440.974.5739
conrad@cityofmentor.com
SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Yesterday, Ohio was approved for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides low-interest loans up to $2 million in order to help businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue during the state of emergency.
Non-profit organizations in Ohio will also be eligible for low-interest loans through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
In order to complete the state’s application, businesses impacted by the current public health crisis should immediately send their contact information to businessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov.
Application for and additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at SBA.gov/Disaster.
What businesses are eligible to apply?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (or working capital loans) are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations. This program for Ohio businesses is expected to go live by Friday.
Highlights:
- Loans up to $2 million
- Interest rate 3.75% fixed for small businesses, 2.75% fixed for non-profits
- Repayment terms up to 30 years
- 4-month repayment deferment
- Loans up to $25,000 require no collateral. Over $25,000 the SBA will seek collateral in most cases
- If loan request is over $25,000 but business needs emergency funding, up to $25,000 can be disbursed while waiting for collateral filings
- This is not a grant nor are there grants available
For assistance in completing the application or any other assistance or questions, please contact: Kelly Conrad – conrad@cityofmentor.com or 440-974-5740.
ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT AID FOR OHIOANS
The Governor will issue an executive order, which will grant the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) with the authority to accept and grant requests for unemployment compensation suspending the normal 1-week waiting period.
This order will also give relief to applicants who are not offered paid leave through their job, as well as those who have been quarantined by a medical professional, their employer, or whose employers must temporarily close. Those who apply for unemployment under these circumstances will be exempt from the requirement that they be actively seeking work.
For more information, please go to Unemployment.Ohio.gov or JFS.Ohio.gov/Coronavirus.
In light of the recent business closures ordered by the Governor. Here is some requested clarification on Ohio’s unemployment benefits. Questions and answers like the one’s below are answered on a regular basis and updated at this website. http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm. Please check back regularly for updates.
Employers, please distribute this form to employees laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic to expedite their claim process: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/num/JFS00671/pdf/
Questions and Answers
Question 1: How do I apply for unemployment insurance? Answer: File online at unemployment.ohio.gov
Question 2: Will workers qualify for unemployment benefits if the coronavirus (COVID-19) causes an employer to shut down operations? Answer: Updated: An executive order issued by Governor DeWine expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio’s emergency declaration period. Unemployment benefits will be available for eligible individuals who are requested by a medical professional, local health authority, or employer to be isolated or quarantined as a consequence of COVID-19, even if they are not actually diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition, the waiting period for eligible Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits will be waived.
Question 3: If an employer lays off employees due to the loss of production caused by the coronavirus, will the employees be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits? Answer: Yes, if the employees are otherwise eligible. An executive order issued by Governor DeWine expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio’s emergency declaration period.
Question 4: If an employee receives unemployment benefits as a result of a coronavirus-related business shutdown, will the employer’s unemployment taxes increase? Answer: For contributory employers, charges during Ohio’s emergency declaration period will be mutualized. Reimbursing employers will follow existing charging requirements under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4141.
Question 5: If an employee receives unemployment benefits as a result of a coronavirus-related business shutdown, can the benefits be charged to the mutual account? Answer: Updated: Yes, an executive order issued by Governor DeWine allows unemployment benefit charges to be mutualized for contributory employers. In addition, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will waive penalties for late reporting and payments during Ohio’s emergency declaration period.
Ohio has two ways to file an application for Unemployment Insurance Benefits:
- Online
File online at http://unemployment.ohio.gov, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Service may be limited during nightly system updating. Check the website for available services. Please be sure to follow the instructions. If you do not have access to a computer, visit your local library or OhioMeansJobs Center where computers are available for public use. Please note that your local library may be closed or have reduced hours due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). A list of OhioMeansJobs Centers can be found at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/wioa/map.stm.
- Telephone
Call toll-free 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408, (excluding holidays) Monday through Friday 7 AM – 7 PM.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits, you will need:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license or state ID number
- Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Name, address, telephone number, and dates of employment with each employer you worked for during the past 6 weeks of employment
- The reason you became unemployed from each employer
- Dependents’ names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth
- If claiming dependents, your spouse’s name, Social Security number, and birth date
- If you are not a U.S. citizen or national, alien registration number and expiration date
- Your regular occupation and job skills
Again, please check this website or call the ODJFS for all information related to unemployment benefits. http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm
ONE-TIME LIQUOR BUYBACK
The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This will especially aid those establishments that have stocked up on high-proof liquor ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday for which they now have no use, due to their closure to in-house patrons.
Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1(877)812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES FROM TEAMNEO
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Combating the Coronavirus
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 prevent the spread of the virus and prepare businesses for the near and long-term impact.
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. The CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to COVID-19.
IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief
The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the Coronavirus. This page will be updated as new information is available.
STATE
ODJFS: Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Wondering how do can you apply for unemployment insurance? The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations created this page to answer questions about Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
SHARED WORK OHIO VOLUNTARY LAYOFF AVERSION PROGRAM
SharedWork Ohio is a voluntary layoff aversion program. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity.
Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, the participating employer reduces affected employees’ hours in a uniform manner. The participating employee works the reduced hours each week, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours.
Interested employers provide ODJFS with a list of participating employees and specify their normal weekly hours of work, not to exceed 40 hours and not including overtime. Part-time employees may be eligible, but all employees in an affected unit must have their hours reduced by the same reduction percentage. Reduction percentages must be at least 10 percent but no more than 50 percent of the normal weekly hours of work.
For more information, visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/.
ODSA: Economic Damage Assessment Survey
Filling out the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Economic Damage Assessment Survey will determine damage related to economic impacts in Ohio. After filling out the survey, federal, state or local agencies may reach out to you through the contact information provided if you indicate your interest.
LOCAL
Economic & Community Development Institute Loan Program
(We appreciate the assistance of the Patrick Mohorcic, Lake County Port and Economic Development Authority, Kelly Conrad, the Mentor Economic Assistance Corporation (MEACO) and Cathy Bieterman, in working collectively to assemble these resources.)