Support for Small Businesses

November 13, 2020

Jefferson County moves - "Safe at Home Dial" to level 3 - Orange

EXTENDED Grant Opportunities available – Applications are being accepted now

EXTENDED TO November 20th - Lakewood - Business Relief and Recovery Grant Program Round 3

Three Colorado cities named "Top Tech Towns" in the U.S. for 2020

Personal Protective Equipment supplies are still available for Nonprofits and Small Businesses around Jefferson County

Safer at Home: Level Orange High Risk

New Restrictions went into effect Monday, Nov. 9th at 5:00 p.m.

As announced on November 4, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will move to Level Orange (formerly Level 3) of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s (CDPHE) Dial Framework beginning today, Monday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, JCPH’s Public Health Order 20-009, which sets limits on gatherings, will remain in effect. Because cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County have continued to rise so rapidly, maintaining requirements in PHO 20-009 that are stricter than those in Level Orange is critical as we work to slow the spread of the virus in our community.

Specifically, this means the Jefferson County community and businesses should follow Level Orange of CDPHE’s Dial Framework per Public Health Order 20-36, with the following modifications required by JCPH’s Public Health Order 20-009:

• Outdoor events are limited to no more than 75 people and indoor events to no more than 25 people within their usable space as calculated by the Social Distancing Space Calculator. Events may not have more than one room, designated activity or area.

- Note: Businesses and activities which follow events guidance as required by PHO 20-36, but which are not events involving social gatherings, are not subject to PHO 20-009. However, if a business or facility hosts a social event, then that event is subject to the terms of PHO 20-009.

• Spectators are prohibited at all high school sporting events, regardless of whether they are sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and regardless of whether they take place at public, private or charter schools.

• Spectators are prohibited at adult recreational and league sports.

Please note that when referenced in public health orders, “capacity” is defined as the posted building occupancy limit of a space. However, for non-critical office-based businesses, “capacity” is defined for Level Orange as 25 percent of their number of employees that would typically be in that office.

Visit CDPHE’s website for more information about capacity limits and requirements under Level Orange of the Dial Framework. For information about JCPH’s PHO 20-009, including frequently asked questions, visit www.jeffco.us/safer-at-home.

Three Colorado cities listed as 2020's top tech towns

According to CompTIA, an IT industry trade Association, Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs were named among the top 20 tech towns in the U.S.

Denver topped the list for Colorado cities at No. 10, with Boulder at No. 12, and Colorado Springs at No. 15.

These Information Technology and other technical jobs have proved resilient over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic with demand for remote IT workers almost doubling.

The Denver Metro area has posted 80 thousand jobs over the past year. IT jobs are expected to grow by 3% in the next year and by 12% over the next five years.

For additional labor market information, please contact Phil Rohrbach with Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center. [email protected]

COVID-19 Lakewood Business Relief and Recovery Grant Program - EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 20th

The City of Lakewood has created a recovery grant program to provide financial assistance to qualifying small businesses that have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will disperse over $3,000,000 in total grant awards.

Round 3 applications available now

Round 3 grant awards will be weighted against the below rubric. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $30,000. Grant amounts will be calculated by the businesses' lost revenues in July and August 2020. Applicants that received a grant in Round 1 or Round 2 are not eligible to receive a grant in Round 3.

Eligible Business Criteria

A business may apply for the grant program if they meet the following:

The business has a physical Lakewood address where it primarily conducts business.
If awarded a grant, the business affirms that they intend the business to be solvent and in operation for at least 90 days from the date of grant award.
No post office box, private mail box at a mailing service center/store, or a virtual mailbox will be accepted as a physical address.
The business is located within the City of Lakewood’s non-residential zone districts.
The business has an active Lakewood business sales tax and/or use tax license.
The business is registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and their register agent must be a resident of Colorado. Non-Colorado businesses are ineligible.
The business is in good standing with any City permits, licenses, fees and taxes as of March 1, 2020.
The business has been in operation on or before January 1st, 2019 for large qualifying grants.
Able to provide proof of ongoing business operations between August 1- September 30, 2020.
The business does not have more than 100 employees; this could be Full Time Employees (FTE) or full-time equivalents as of February 29th, 2020. (For purposes of estimating FTEs (full time employees), the FTE count shall be based only on the specific location applying for the program.) Business has between 25-100 full-time or full-time equivalent positions.
The business 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 and resulted in lost revenue.
Businesses with more than one physical location in the City of Lakewood may apply for the program for one location only.
Corporately-owned national chains may not apply for the program; however, locally owned franchise owners/operators are allowed to apply.

Exclusions:

Non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, marijuana businesses, home-based businesses, residential living facilities, government organizations and political organizations.
City of Lakewood elected officials, employees, their spouses and immediate families are not eligible to receive these funds.

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

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.