Shuttered Venue Operator's Grant Program
On August 11, 2021, the SBA announced updates to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, including:
- New applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, August 20, 2021.
- The SBA will open the program for supplemental SVOGs for 50% of the original award amount, capped at a total of $10 million (initial and supplemental combined) later this month. Details will be announced at a later date.
- The SBA is currently accepting, by invitation, applications for reconsideration of award amounts and appeals. This rare opportunity gives applicants a chance to prove their eligibility and reverse a prior decision.
National Small Business Week Virtual Summit
Join the SBA September 13 – September 15, 2021, for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners, and chat with industry experts. This free online event will include educational webinars, updates on resources for small businesses and a networking chat room for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
SBA Celebrates Rural Entrepreneurship
Join the SBA for an online panel discussion on August 26, 2021 with rural-owned small businesses as they share their small business stories and how they utilized SBA and USDA economic aid to pivot during the pandemic. You will also learn about resources available from the SBA and USDA to help rural entrepreneurs compete in the marketplace: launch or expand businesses; receive counseling; funding opportunities; and help to recover or rebuild from disasters.
PPP Forgiveness Portal
The SBA is currently accepting applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Portal which is a streamlined application portal that allows borrowers with PPP loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.
Women's Business Center
On August 17, 2021, the SBA will host a virtual workshop in partnership with SBA's Puerto Rico, Buffalo, and Oklahoma District Offices, to educate organizations in Puerto Rico, Tulsa, OK, and Rochester, NY on best practices regarding the Women's Business Center (WBC) grant application process. The event will also explain how to apply for SBA Women’s Business Center grants for established and aspiring Women's Business Center host organizations to provide outcome-oriented business services for women entrepreneurs.
SBIR / STTR
This week, the SBA issued 33 grant awards up to $125,000 each for specialized training, mentoring and technical assistance for research and development (R&D)-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program. FAST seeks to improve outcomes in the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs for underserved communities by increasing participation from women-owned, rural-based, and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.
Disaster Preparedness Plan
Severe weather like tropical storms, wildfires and extreme heat can disrupt your small business. If you're prepared for emergencies, you'll be in a better position to recover and continue operations. The SBA has resources to help you prepare when a disaster strikes.
We Can Do This
Did you know? Eligible businesses that allow employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine can receive a tax credit. Partner with a vaccine provider to host an on-site vaccination clinic.
New, Lower Costs on Marketplace Health Insurance Plans
You may be eligible for more savings and lower costs on health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace due to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Get Inspired: Small Business Success Story
Her father was a contractor, so the construction business came naturally for Brenda Fairbanks who started Daybreak Construction in La Center, Washington. After nearly 10 years of working on residential and commercial projects, Fairbanks was ready to expand her business and explore federal contracting.
As she was preparing to take the next step, she was involved in a tragic car accident, leaving her unable to walk for nearly a year. During her recovery, she was accepted into the 8(a) Business Development Program, which helps socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses compete for federal contracts.
Beware of Malicious COVID-19 Phishing
As a reminder, SBA directly communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov. SBA also communicates via email updates/notifications using an email marketing platform, (the same one you are receiving this newsletter from). Those emails end in @updates.sba.gov.
If you applied for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and emailed the SVOG Support Center, you may receive an email back from a zendesk.com account. This is an authorized SBA contractor.
If you are being contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA who is not using an official SBA email address, you should suspect fraud.
Small Business Tax Credit Programs
Did you know that the American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses?
