Support for Small Businesses

August 14, 2020

Dear Business and Community Partners;

Friday is the deadline to submit applications for the Jefferson County Small Business Sustainability Grant. Please see below for more information.

Jefferson County Public Health has upgraded their website with new information. A recording of Dr. Mark Johnson's COVID-19 update is available for download. Please refer to the links below to see relevant and localized information on how the Pandemic is affecting our community.

The schedule for Denver's Startup Week will be released Monday, August 17th. Opportunities for innovation and sharing ideas within the business community are more important than ever. The even will be incredibly accessible this year as the majority of content will be virtual and remote.

Stay safe and informed.

Jefferson County Small Business Sustainability Grants

Applications Close TODAY

More information about the emergency grant program and the Sustainability Grant online application are located on the CARES Act Emergency Grant Program page on the Jefferson County website. Once the submission period has closed, all applications will be evaluated, and funding recommendations provided to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. Individual grant amounts will depend upon the number of applicants, availability of funds, and demonstrated need.

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 applications can be submitted through Friday, August 14. 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.

Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director Dr. Mark Johnson will provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in Jeffco

You will be able to view the video on Jefferson County's website. Hearing videos are normally posted within 24 hours.

The numbers are starting to trend downward, but it's important that we continue wearing masks, frequently washing hands and limiting social interactions to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Jefferson County.

Visit the Case Summary page on the Jefferson County Public Health website to view updated graphs with COVID-19 data.

Library Resources for Small Business

Jefferson County Public Library provides access to a variety of tools and resources to support starting and growing your business. Learn about some of the most useful and popular of the library’s databases for exploring market and demographic research, ReferenceUSA and DemographicsNow, and position your business for the future.

Please join the free webinar hosted by the South Jeffco Business alliance. South Jeffco Business Alliance is a non-exclusive networking group of business owners, marketing professionals, sales people, influencers, and community and government leaders.

Presented by Emily Crowley, Adult Outreach Librarian, Jefferson County Public Library

Date and Time
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM MDT

Location
Via Zoom.
You must register to receive the Zoom link. The link will be sent out the day before.

Fees/Admission
FREE.

Website
https://www.ifoothills.org/sjba/

Contact Information
Tory Pearson
Send Email

Denver Startup Week Schedule will release Monday, August 17

Get excited for 200+ free virtual sessions, keynotes, workshops, celebrations, and so much more!

This year's event is going virtual, and so are the Pitch Competition, Job Fair and Showcase, Happy Hours, and many other fan favorite events. Even though the format will be different, trust us, you don't want to miss out on hundreds of ways to learn, be inspired, and meet someone new through Denver Startup Week. Plus, we have some speakers joining us who you won't want to miss!

APPLY FOR THE DSW PITCH COMPETITION

Submissions are entered by Denver startups looking for the opportunity to prove their idea’s worth.
Each round of the competition will be judged by members of our community that have expertise in startup development, business, and growth.

With a prize package valued at up to $100,000 in services & products, this competition will showcase the best entrepreneurial ideas from Denver’s startup community.
With Denver Startup Week 2020 being 100% virtual, attendees will be able to watch the Semi-finals and Finals from the comfort of their homes.

Please review Denver Startup Week 2020's Pitch Competition Handbook before applying.

SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS & SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Circles for Inclusion Mentorship Initiative

Circles of Inclusion is a free mentorship initiative that connects people from underrepresented communities to world-class tech leaders through intimate group mentorship. Click below to learn more and sign up!

GET MORE INFORMATION

The Red Backpack Fund

The Red Backpack Fund is a COVID-19 grant relief opportunity for women entrepreneurs created by Spanx & The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, and administered by GlobalGiving. The goal of The Red Backpack Fund is to provide the opportunity for women-owned small businesses and nonprofits to continue to operate and thrive. Get more information below.

APPLY HERE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program

The City and County of Denver is providing free PPE kits to small & micro businesses and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kits include hand sanitizer, disinfectant, surgical masks, a non-contact thermometer and face shields. To apply, read the guidelines below.

LEARN MORE HERE

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.