Support for Small Businesses

October 2, 2020

Dear Business and Community Partners;

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Jefferson County, there are many funding opportunities being made available to assist businesses. Please review and carefully check the application criteria for the opportunities below. In addition, to help curb the spread of cases, please make sure to follow the most up -o-date guidelines and advice given by industry experts.

Energize Colorado Round 2 Applications open October 5th

Round one of the Energize Colorado Gap Fund applications has ended. Round 2 begins October 5th. Sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with less than 25 full-time employees can apply for up to a $15,000 grant and a $20,000 loan for a possible combined total of $35,000 in financial assistance.

Personal Protective Equipment Program for Small and Micro Businesses and Nonprofits

Jefferson County, the Arvada Chamber, West Metro Chamber, Golden Chamber, and Evergreen Chamber are supporting small businesses of 25 employees or less and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge to those that qualify.

Eligibility:

Nonprofits or businesses with 25 employees or less
Get more information at www.jeffco.us/4057

Arvada Emergency Business Recovery Initiative

Eligibility:

Is a non-home-based business with a physical address within the City of Arvada.
Is a for-profit business.
Has been in operation since Jan. 1, 2020.
Has an active Arvada business license.
Is in good standing with any City permits, licenses, fees or taxes as of March 1, 2020.
Is a small business with no more than 50 full-time equivalent Full Time Employees (FTE) positions.
Has been forced to temporarily close or forced to dramatically limit operations due to the Public Health Orders related to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Businesses with more than one physical location in the City of Arvada may apply for the program for one location only. For purposes of estimating FTEs, the FTE count shall be based only on the specific location applying for the program. Corporately-owned national chains may not apply for the program; however, locally owned franchise owners/operators are allowed to apply. Loans will be awarded only to for-profit businesses.

How to Apply:

APPLICATION WINDOW: The City will accept applications beginning on Sept. 21 at 8 a.m. The application deadline is Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

Participants must complete and return a CARES Act funding Second Round Business Recovery form (including the W-9, the grant application and the terms and agreement).

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released outdoor structure guidance

State of Colorado Releases Guidance for Outdoor Structures for Restaurants and Events

On Sept. 24, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released guidance for temporary outdoor structures for restaurants and events. This information will help restaurants safely accommodate customers outdoors in the upcoming colder months using temporary structures or pop-up structures.

This document outlines the guidance restaurants must follow to provide a safe environment for their customers to eat in these temporary structures.

COVID-19 Information from Jeffco Public Health

Jefferson County Public Health continues managing the COVID-19 outbreak in collaboration with other national, state and local partners. Our number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our community.

As of September 24, the CDC reports there have been 6,916,292 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. There have been 201,411 deaths in the U.S. to date.
There have been 67,217 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado and 2,033 deaths among cases (1,935 deaths due to COVID-19) (CDPHE).
There have been 5,599 cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County (confirmed and probable) and 248 total deaths (JCPH).
- Our current two-week (9/9-9/23) case count is 501 total cases (85.9 per 100,000).
CDPHE provided tips for easing back-to-school anxiety during the pandemic. Read more.
On September 18, JCPH extended Public Health Order 20-007, which requires approval of large event plans. Read more.
CDPHE recently announced a new Dial Framework to help counties balance controlling the virus with social and economic needs. JCPH is currently in the Safer at Home Level 2 phase. Get more information at www.jeffco.us/safer-at-home.
We strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested. Community members can find testing information, including information about who should get tested, the importance of getting tested and a current list of free test sites, on JCPH’s Testing Page at www.jeffco.us/testing.

Ask the Experts; virtual roundtable discussion:

Supporting Jefferson County's Businesses through 2020's Cold-Weather Months

On October 8th from 10:00am - 11:00am a virtual panel will take place featuring experts who will answer local businesses' questions about preparing for the cold-weather months during the pandemic.

To submit a question for our panels or to learn more about
our event. Please contact Phil Rohrbach directly
[email protected]

How to Build Rapport While Wearing a Mask

The Harvard Business Journal breaks down these quick and easy steps on how to communicate and build rapport even while wearing a mask. This can be implemented both in your office as well as customer interactions! As many interactions in the workplace are nonverbal, communication has become increasingly more difficult with the mask mandates.

Avoid Clear Masks Unless Necessary
Practice Your “Mask Voice – utilize the acronym provided by the Harvard Business Journal, PAVE to remember these practical steps – PAUSE. ACCENTUATE, VOLUME & EMOTION
Practice Active Listening
Use Gestures and Body Language
Keep the “Two T’s” Aligned – The T's we are referring to is for the toes and torso. We often subconsciously communicate disinterest with where our body and toes are facing. Keep aligned towards the person you are communicating with.
Smile with Your Eyes
Know When to Zoom – sometimes moving your interactions to a virtual platform is what’s best for all parties involved!

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://www.jeffco.us/calendar.aspx?CID=28

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://covid19.colorado.gov/

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

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://edgewaterco.com/planning

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.