Congress passed new legislation that was signed into law in December which was designed to support individuals and businesses dealing with the economic and health impact of the coronavirus. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury are guiding the programs created in the CARES Act and updated in this legislation. On this page we will focus on the primary small business assistance programs which may be beneficial to your business. All SBA resources can be found here. https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

US Chamber Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

Determine the Right Option(s) for Your Business

These resources cover multiple small business assistance options to help you determine which is relevant to your business and how to navigate the application process. You should only apply to programs you qualify for, but there is no penalty for applying to multiple assistance programs, as long as funds are used for different purposes.

We recommend referencing the table below.

Are You a Small Business?

First, determine if your business size meets the eligibility standards set by the SBA. All businesses with fewer than 500 employees qualify. If you have greater than 500 employees, please use the Business Size Calculator to determine if you are eligible. Some of the new legislations is targeted to businesses under 300.
SBA Business Size Calculator

This program provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Applications are now open. See How to apply for more detail.

Program Details

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Supplemental Documents

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund program guide

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund sample application (SBA Form 3172)

For assistance preparing your application, you can access the following:

• RRF knowledge base support documentation

• Application portal screenshots

• Call center support: 844-279-8898

You can also watch a previously recorded webinar training to help you prepare:

• Webinar: Special briefing on RRF with SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute

• Webinar: Learn how to apply for RRF

For assistance with your submitted application:

• Submit a message using the application platform inbox (preferred)

• Call center support: 844-279-8898

Who can apply

• Restaurants
• Food stands, food trucks, food carts
• Caterers
• Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
• Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
• Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
• Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
• Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
• Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
• Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
• Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products

Cross-program eligibility on SBA COVID-19 relief options

How to apply

You can apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale (POS) vendors or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal: https://restaurants.sba.gov. Participating POS providers include Square, Toast, Clover, NCR Corporation (Aloha), and Oracle. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register beforehand on the https://restaurants.sba.gov application portal.

Payment calculations

For detailed information about how to calculate your award amount, please consult page 7-9 of the RRF program guide.

Calculation 1: for applicants in operation prior to or on January 1, 2019:

• 2019 gross receipts minus 2020 gross receipts minus PPP loan amounts

SBA is currently offering PPP loans originated only by participating community financial institutions including Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA Microlenders, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) until May 31, 2021 or until remaining funds are exhausted. Please note that not all community financial institutions are participating in PPP.

Are you eligible to apply for a PPP loan but haven’t yet? There are still locations in Montana that can process them. Contact Embark Credit Union of Great Falls by emailing info@embarkcu.com and put attention to Erin Townsend or you can apply online with MoFi. If you have questions about eligibility, contact Nathan Reiff at 406-403-4937 or NReiff@GrowGreatFalls.org. Final deadline is May 31st so act now!

Covers the compensation of your employee payroll, insurance, utilities and other operational expenses. Payroll can include owner withdrawals for certain types of businesses.

The new bill authorizes a second round of PPP payments as well as first round payments to businesses who did not do PPP last year.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. The PPP is a forgivable loan available for small businesses, 501(c)3, 501(c)19, and tribal businesses that meet the SBA small business designation, along with sole proprietors and independent contractors. Companies must have been operational by 02/15/2020. Other restrictions apply.

• Loan is equal to 2.5 times average monthly payroll
  • (Second round only 3.5 times for NAICS 72)
• Maximum funding amount – $10M First Round/ $2M Second Round
• Funds spent on qualifying expenses over 8 to 24 weeks can be forgiven
• Unspent amount rolls over into a low interest loan.

Eligibility Criteria First Round

• Borrowers do not need to demonstrate economic hardship but rather certify in good faith that their business has been affected by the current economic crisis. The organization must have been operational by 02/15/2020 to qualify.

• Borrowers apply through banks certified in SBA 7(a) lending. Applicants must submit a Paycheck Protection Program Application form and recent tax documents.

• Paycheck Protection Program Application

Eligibility Criteria Second Round

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses.

• Has no more than 300 employees; and

• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020

• Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Borrower Application Form (released 01-08-21)

Where to Apply

Applications are now open and remain open through March 1, 2021. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

Resources for Navigating the Process

Program overview, info on who can apply, how to apply, loan details and forgiveness, and other assistance can be found on the websites below.

• U.S. Chamber PPP Guide – With some updates here.

• U.S. Treasury PPP Resources.

• SBA PPP Guidance

Covers a wide range of business expenses for funds lost.

Also known as the “SBA Disaster Loan,” the EIDL is an extension of the existing disaster loan program. Businesses may apply for both EIDL and PPP, although funds cannot be used for the same purpose.

• 3.75% interest rate (fixed)
• 30 years
• No Prepayment Deferred one year; interest still accrues

Eligibility Criteria

For full details, see the “Eligibility Entity Verification” on the application.

• Applicant is a business with no more than 500 employees, a business that qualifies as small under the SBA Size Standards, sole proprietorship, independent contractor, cooperative or non-profit.

Where to Apply

Applications are currently open. Apply through the SBA Disaster Loan application. You may also apply for the Express Bridge Loan (EBL) program if you would like to expedite your potential EIDL financing.

Resources for Navigating the Process

Choose from a step-by-step written guide or contact resources at our local Montana, SBA District Office for help with the application process. Montana’s local SBA office can be reached at (406) 441-1081, although due to high call volumes, we recommend exhausting online resources prior to calling.

Contact the SBA
P: 1-800-659-2955
(TTY: 1-800-877-8339)
E: DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

Not Yet Accepting Applications

The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million.

• For an eligible entity in operation on January 1, 2019, grants will be for an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
• For an eligible entity that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be for the average monthly gross revenue for each full month you were in operation during 2019 multiplied by six (6) OR $10 million, whichever is less.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible entities include:

• Live venue operators or promoters
• Theatrical producers
• Live performing arts organization operators
• Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
• Motion picture theater operators
• Talent representatives, and
• Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

Other requirements of note:

• • Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
  • Venue or promoter must not have received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020

Allowable use of funds

• Payroll costs
• Rent payments
• Utility payments
• Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal)
• Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal) on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to 02-15-20)
• Worker protection expenditures
• Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100K in annual compensation per contractor)
• Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
• Administrative costs (incl. fees and licensing)
• State and local taxes and fees
• Operating leases in effect as of 02-15-20
• Insurance payments
• Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds.)

Resources for Navigating the Process

• Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions.
• Cross Program Eligibility on SBA Coronavirus Relief Options
• Sign up for email alerts about this program.

For existing borrowers of 7(a), 504, and Microloans

Borrowers need not apply for assistance

For borrowers whose loans were approved prior to 12/27/2020, SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest, and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all 7(a), 504, and Microloans reported in regular servicing status (excluding PPP loans).

Additional Debt Relief Assistance

• The Economic Aid Act also authorized additional debt relief payments to 7(a), 504, and Microloan borrowers beyond the 6-month period prescribed in the CARES Act. The level of assistance varies based on when the loan was approved and will begin on or after February 1, 2021.
• Please contact your Lender for questions on the availability of this assistance for your SBA loan.

The CARES Act provides a refundable tax credit for qualified wages up to $10,000 paid per calendar quarter to employees.

• From Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, the refundable tax credit is capped at $7,000 per employee per calendar quarter, for 70% of qualified wages up to $10,000.

• From March 13, 2020, through December 31, 2020, the refundable tax credit is capped at $5,000 per employee, for 50% of qualified wages up to $10,000.

Example: Employer pays $10,000 in qualified wages to Employee in each of Q2 2020, Q3 2020, Q4 2020, Q1 2021 and Q2 2021

Eligibility Overview

For March 13, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020, Employers who:

• Were partially or fully suspended due to COVID-19 orders from an appropriate governmental authority, or
• Experienced a significant decline in gross receipts. A significant decline in gross receipts means the period beginning with the first calendar quarter in 2020 where gross receipts are less than 50% of gross receipts for the same calendar quarter of 2019, and ending with the calendar quarter following the first calendar quarter where quarterly gross receipts are greater than 80% of gross receipts for the same calendar quarter in the prior year.

For Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021:

• For the 2021 ERTC, a significant decline in gross receipts means the period beginning with the first calendar quarter in 2021 where gross receipts are less than 80% of gross receipts for the same calendar quarter of 2019, and ending with the calendar quarter following the first calendar quarter where quarterly gross receipts are greater than 80% of gross receipts for the same calendar quarter in 2019.
• Eligibility generally follows the same rules as for the 2020 ERTC, but an exception to the general prohibition on government and state employers is provided for tax-exempt public colleges, universities and hospitals.

Where to Apply

Refer to your financial team on changes in the payroll process. All penalties for social security tax non-payment when filing weekly or biweekly payments will be waived. Visit the U.S. Treasury statement for more information on tax deferment. See tax relief program details on the IRS website.

Resources for Navigating the Process

Find resources on the IRS and U.S. Treasury websites.