COVID-19 Information & Resources for Businesses

 

Scroll down to find out how our Center’s business resources and experts can be of assistance. Contact us via the UAH CMER-ATN’s Manufacturing Helpline below.

 

Access UAH CMER-ATN's Manufacturing Helpline

  

 

COVID-19 Information  

CDC Guidance & Prevention Protocols for Businesses. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued COVID-19 guidance for businesses and is updating them as new developments occur. 

(Source: MEP National Network – Iowa State University – Center for Industrial Research & Service) 

 

COVID-19 Business Resources  

(Source: MEP National Network – Iowa State University – Center for Industrial Research & Service)  

Provides CDC links, talking points, and downloadable social media graphics regarding COVID-19 

 

State of Alabama COVID-19 Information – Resources  

 

Alabama Public Health COVID-19 Resources

HOW UAH CMER CAN ASSIST YOU

 

Coaching Sessions

 Our UAH CMER staff are available to participate in remote coaching sessions via phone, email and video communications. Please contact us at our customer service email if your company would like to schedule a coaching session. Our in-house expertise includes Lean-Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain, Marketing, Communications, Strategic Business Planning, and Innovation-Product Growth.     

Access to Large Network of Assistance

 UAH CMER has access to experts within the Colleges of Business and Engineering along with researchers within UAH research centers. UAH CMER is a part of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN), and NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). We can connect your business as needed to our state and national business resources including Federal Laboratories.  

Sharing MEP National Network Information & Resources

We are making available resources developed by the other 49 states’ MEPNN organizations on our UAH CMER website page.  

Workshops 

We have workshops that can be held online in Lean – Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Marketing Strategies. Please contact us at customerservice@uahcmer.com for details. 

UAH SBDC Resources 

SBA Guidance & Assistance for Small Businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has posted information regarding loan programs and guidance for businesses: Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

All Counties in State of Alabama Are Eligible to Apply: 

SBA FACT SHEET – ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS  — ALABAMA Declaration 16364 (Disaster AL-00104) Incident: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)  

 

Coronavirus Relief Options For Small Businesses
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) makes $350 billion in SBA Paycheck Protection loans  available to small businesses, with individual businesses eligible for up to $10 million in forgivable loans.  
 

On April 2, the Treasury Department released new information about the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and economic injury disaster loans (EIDL)

Click here to learn about some of the new points and clarifications that business owners should be aware of, according to Ami Kassar, an expert on small-business loans and founder of lending advisory firm MultiFunding.

Small Business Grants Effected by COVID-19 and other Funding Resources

General grants 

  • In partnership with Verizon, the digital fundraising and advocacy platform Hello Alice is offering emergency grants of up to $10,000 for companies impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Google is offering $340 million in advertising grants for small and medium-sized businesses, a credit that will be added automatically to Google Ads accounts. 
  • Verizon has allocated $5 million to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to distribute via grants to small businesses. The first round of grant applications is closed but will re-open in mid-April, and you can register to be notified on their website. 
  • GoFundMe partnered with Intuit QuickBooks, Yelp, GoDaddy, and Bill.com to give small businesses a $500 grant if they raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.

 

State Grants 

  • The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) website features a state tracker of financial incentive programs across the country, updated twice a year.

 

Industry-Specific Grants

  • The James Beard Foundation, a non-profit advocate for the food industry, is fundraising for food and beverage businesses right now and has a sign-up to be notified when the application is live.
  • Yelp is offering advertising credits for small, independently owned restaurants and bars.

 

Funding Trackers

Cybersecurity Resources

Workforce Now Working from Home – Help protect against Phishing attacks

  • AIAG – Automotive Industry Action Group – Supply Safe: Cyber Safe Bundles 

AIAG is a not-for profit association supporting the auto industry developed in partnership with NQC Supplier Assurance, AIAG’s Supply Safe: Cyber Safe Bundles which is comprised of a virtual audit – a one-time domain/IP scan – along with either a basic or advanced risk assessment.   For AIAG member companies, the one-time Supply Safe: Cyber Safe Bundle is free while non-AIAG members can access for a nominal fee.

https://www.aiag.org/supply-chain-management/cyber-initiative