New Small Business Sustainability Grants

Dear Community and Business Partners;

In support of our small business community, Jefferson County is providing a second grant opportunity for businesses that are in unincorporated Jefferson County. The Small Business Sustainability Grant program will open on Monday July 6th and applications can be submitted through Friday July 17th. Businesses can apply for up to $10,000 to assist with COVID-19 related expenses

Businesses who received funds from the Small Business Emergency Grant program, which was the first grant program made available to small businesses by Jefferson County, are eligible to apply for additional funds. The combined total of these grants cannot exceed $10,000 for any individual business.

Please note that this new grant program is different from the process initially described in last week's newsletter. There will be no changes to the existing Emergency Grant Program. You don't need to apply for the Emergency Grant to be eligible for the Sustainability Grant.

For more information and updates, please visit https://www.jeffco.us/4057/CARES-Act-Emergency-Grants-Funding

Things Are Looking UP Jeffco!

Things are looking up in Jeffco- or maybe I should say down! Coronavirus cases are starting to decline in our County. Jefferson County Coronavirus cases peaked in March and April and have steadily declined since then. As of Monday June 15th, the county had a total of 2,476 cases. As our county and state follow public health guidelines, we are cautiously reopening more businesses. Good news for Jeffco comes as many of our neighboring states see a rise in new cases.

If we heed the advise of Dr. Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health, we can continue on the path to normalcy. “While things are heading in the right direction, COVID-19 is still a threat and is still widespread in our community. We are certainly not out of the woods yet, and I can’t stress enough that we can’t let our guard down just yet — lives depend on it."

Keep up the hard work Jeffco!

Guidance from the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition On Masks

From the Colorado Cross -Disability Coalition Masks should not be required for anyone who is unable to wear one because of a medical reason – whether visible or not. When unable to wear a mask, it’s very important to continue to follow all other prevention practices: stay at least 6 feet away from others, stay home when sick, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you and others around you do wear a mask, the University of Colorado's Center for Inclusive Design and Excellence recently created a Do-It-Yourself Clear Mask design, which supports lipreading visibility. Instructions for making the mask are provided below.

Many organizations, including the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, are encouraging businesses to provide masks with a clear plastic panel to at least some of their employees for lip reading visibility. For additional information, please see: http://www.ccdconline.org/2020/05/26/ccdc-statement-on-masks-americans-with-disabilities-act/).

DIY See Thru Face Mask Instructions

Supplies
•2 -2” X 9.5” Cotton Fabric
•2 -2” x 9.5” Dish Towel Fabric
•1 – 2.5” x 7.5” Clear Plastic Vinyl
•1 – 7” Twist Tie / Pipe Cleaner
•1 – ¼” x 13” for the top around the head attachment
•1 – ¼” x 10” for the bottom around the head attachment

Instructions

1.Stitch cotton fabric and dish towel with right sides together across one long side. Repeat with second set of fabric.

2.Turn right sides out and press seam closed.

3.Stitch 3/8” from seam on outside across one set of fabrics to form pocket for pipe cleaner.

4.Press.

5.Insert pipe cleaner

6.Stitch vinyl to cotton/dish towel 1” from each end. DO NOT USE PINS FOR STABLIZATION – THIS MAKES HOLES IN THE VINYL AND ALLOWS PARTICLES TO PASS THROUGH.

7.Press seams flat away from vinyl, being careful not to melt vinyl.

8.Fold ends of cotton /dish towel over to finish edges and press.

9.Attach the long piece of elastic to the top of mask.

10.Attach the short piece of elastic to the bottom of mask.

11.Fold mask in half and pinch twist tie/pipe cleaner to adjust to nose.

New Guidance For Businesses From Jeffco Public Health

Effective June 7, Jefferson County received a variance to the statewide "Safer-at-Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors" order.

Here's what's different in Jeffco

Gatherings: Indoor settings can have up to 50% occupancy or 50 people (whichever is less) in each confined indoor space. In outdoor settings, the variance allows for 125 people.
Places of worship may open at 50% capacity, or 50 people per room inside or 125 people outside (whichever is less).
Gyms may open at 50% capacity or 50 people per room inside (whichever is less). This applies to indoor pools. (Outdoor pools are addressed below).
Indoor malls may open with a plan approved by Jefferson County Public Health. Contact JCPH at 303-232-6301 for approval.
Outdoor facilities like batting cages, outdoor pools and sports courts may operate at 50% capacity or 125 people (whichever is less). Athletic fields can open with up to 50 people per field.
Indoor and outdoor museums and educational experiences such as the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, Butterfly Pavilion, and similar establishments, may operate at 50% occupancy, or 50 people per room or 125 people outdoors (whichever is less).
Graduations may occur with the approval of Jefferson County Public Health. Contact JCPH at 303-232-6301 to request approval.
Golf course restaurants may open following all restaurant guidance in the state’s public health order. Pro shops may open at 50% capacity or 50 people per room (whichever is less).
Brew pubs, distilleries and similar establishments may open without serving food but must follow all restaurant guidance in the state’s public health order.
Businesses not specifically included in the state’s public health order may open in Jefferson County at 50% capacity.

.For more information, please visit https://www.jeffco.us/4047/Safer-at-Home-Order

Missed one of our business panels?
Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTH5pW4bJZbvcvOWfLfRVUA

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center
Business Services

Business Services offers a wide array of services and resources to help businesses of any size.

Information about layoff assistance and layoff aversion programs are available, please contact Jill Howard at [email protected] or call 303-271-4768.

If your business is currently hiring, we can assist with job postings, marketing to job seekers and virtual job fairs. Contact the Business Services team at [email protected] or call 303-271-4800.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center website:
https://www.jeffco.us/Business-Workforce-Center

Additional Resources

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Workshops: https://workforce.jeffco.us/workforce_public/workshop_calendar.cfm

General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/information-and-resources-coronavirus

Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website
Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, posting jobs on Connecting Colorado and more.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers

Work Share Program
Alternative to laying off employees and unemployment insurance if an employee is still able to work part-time.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/layoffassistance

Businesses Responding to Job Separation
How and why it’s important to respond to the Unemployment Insurance employee job separation notices.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/node/20121

Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Learn what it means for employers.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/families_first_coronavirus_response_act.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance for the workplace.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309

Jefferson County Small Business Resource Center
Non-profit organization supporting small businesses in the community including business plan development, brand and marketing material assistance, financing sources and more.
https://www.jeffcobrc.org/

Small Business Guidance & Resources
Information about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products and Resources, Government Contracting and Local Assistance.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners and Renters.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Jeffco EDC is an advocate for the county’s business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the community. Current resources for businesses are included on the website.
https://jeffcoedc.org/

Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation
The CCEDC works to create and offer programs for Clear Creek County businesses. Information about emergency working capital loan program is on the website.
http://www.clearcreekedc.org/our-programs

Arvada Economic Development Association
Arvada Economic Development Association has community, government, and civic partnerships which allow AEDA to provide your business with the latest business information and resources.
https://arvadaeconomicdevelopment.org/

City of Edgewater
The City's economic development programs are designed to bolster the economic health and opportunity within Edgewater and the surrounding area for residents and businesses alike.
https://www.edgewaterco.com/index.asp?SEC=E2A42395-4AC3-449F-B502-65FEF8800E38&Type=B_BASIC

Golden Community & Economic Development Division
The City of Golden Community & Economic Development Division provides a network of resources to support existing and growing businesses including grant opportunities.
https://www.cityofgolden.net/work/economic-development/

Lakewood Economic Development Division
The Economic Development Division of the City of Lakewood provides services to businesses, including business attraction, expansion, entrepreneurialism, marketing, communications and resources.
https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Economic-Development

Littleton Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department of the City of Littleton focuses on business development, retention and attraction by providing business resources for companies operating in or planning to locate within the city.
https://www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/economic-development

Westminster Economic Development Department
The City of Westminster Economic Development Division provides resources to existing and growing businesses.
https://www.westminstereconomicdevelopment.org/

Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division
The City of Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division is dedicated to both the businesses and citizens of Wheat Ridge by providing an array of resources for the community.
https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/269/Economic-Development

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
OEDIT has a hotline for small business owners to call with questions at (303) 860-5881 or email [email protected]
https://choosecolorado.com/

Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce associations promote and protect the interests of the business community in a local community, and offer valuable resources and education to businesses

West Metro Chamber
https://www.westmetrochamber.org/

Arvada Chamber
https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Conifer Chamber
https://www.goconifer.com/

Evergreen Chamber
https://www.evergreenchamber.org/

Golden Chamber
https://goldenchamber.org/

Littleton Chamber
http://littletonbusinesschamber.org/

Westminster Chamber
https://www.westminsterchamber.biz/

Wheat Ridge Chamber
http://www.wheatridgechamber.org/

Wheat Ridge Business Association
https://www.wheatridgebiz.com/

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties is an equal opportunity program; auxiliary services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.