We Are Not Done Yet
July 2nd, 2020

Dear Business and Community Partners;

As we enter the 4th of July holiday and more people are out and about, many businesses continue to face financial challenges. To address the need for financial assistance, Jefferson County is offering resources to help sustain your business. On Monday July 6th, Jefferson County will open it's new round of applications for the Small Business Sustainability Grants. Businesses can apply for up to $10,000, less the amount received from the Small Business Emergency Grant Program. For more information see article below.

There was more bad news for our local bars when Governor Polis announced on June 30th, 2020, a reversal in the re-opening of bars for in-person service. As Coronavirus cases spike in sections of the country, bars present a unique challenge for social distancing. Bars will be allowed to serve take-out alcohol. Bars that can operate as a restaurant and serve food may also stay open. See below for a graphic update on bars.

For those businesses who are open, many are finding innovative ways of creating a safe environment for their customers and staff. Please see the article below on the "Open For Business" campaign spotlighting businesses who are following Public Health guidance.

News from Your Jefferson County Public Health

As of June 29, the CDC reports there have been:

2,545,250 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.
There have been 126,369 deaths in the U.S. to date.
There have been 32,511 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado and 1,682 deaths among cases (1,508 deaths due to COVID-19) (CDPHE).
There have been 2,684 cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County (confirmed and probable) and 209 total deaths (JCPH).
To date, JCPH has processed 382 orders from health and medical partners for PPE: 280 orders were filled by JCPH and 102 orders were sent to the Jefferson County EOC and the State EOC. We have distributed over 45K N95 masks, 49K surgical masks, 116K gloves, 6,000 gowns and other PPE to help protect our healthcare workers while they are providing care to patients.
These materials were provided to first responders, hospitals, ancillary care partners, home health providers, midwives, dental practices, emergency eye care practices, orthodontics and our vulnerable populations who receive services in their homes. (Note: We are unable to accommodate PPE requests from the general public).

JCPH reminds parents and caregivers that children still need their well visits and immunizations. We encourage families to make appointments for routine care their children may have missed due to the pandemic.

The Metro Denver Partnership for Health (MDPH) released COVID-19 Strategies for Schools, an evidence-informed guide for the region’s school districts as they plan to reopen.

On June 19, CDPHE released an amended Public Health Order 20-28 for the Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors phase, addressing several industries including residential camps, higher education, personal services and manufacturing.

On June 24, CDPHE released guidance allowing outdoor visitation at residential care facilities. This guidance allows visitors at residential care facilities while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19.

Use the Colorado COVID-19 Symptom Support tool to share your symptoms to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado and get connected to resources to help you feel better.

New Small Business Sustainability Grants

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

Jeffco Open for Business Spotlight Update

We have highlighted three businesses so far and the response has been amazing! The comments on social media have all been positive and the businesses have been very appreciative. Get more details about the campaign at www.jeffco.us/4067.

While the campaign has been very well received, we could use your help getting more nominations. We have received between 30-40 nominations, but the vast majority of them don’t include very much information and/or the businesses have not done a lot to emphasize safety. We are really hoping to highlight businesses that have gone above and beyond to emphasize the safety of their employees and customers. We are also hoping to highlight businesses from across Jefferson County. We have yet to receive many quality nominations from the northern part of Jefferson County (Arvada, Westminster).

So far we’ve featured:

Joyride Brewing (Edgewater)
Bivouac Coffee (Evergreen)
African Grill and Bar (Lakewood)
Virgilio’s Pizza and Wine Bar (Littleton) - will be featured this week

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.

We Are Not Done Yet July 2nd, 2020