The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Wednesday, March 18 that in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Matagorda County businesses were eligible to begin filling out applications for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) immediately, although they would announce a later date when the applications could be submitted.
The EIDL assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the COVID-19. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
The SBA Houston District Office will provide the latest information from SBA to help small businesses with their economic recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus through a series of teleconference or video conference. They will give information on how to apply and where you can get additional help with preparing and applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
The information presented on all calls will be the same. Please join at the date and time best for you. On Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 at 9 a.m. join Zoom Meeting at https://score.zoom.us/j/401014156 using Meeting ID: 401 014 156 or join mobile +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) using Meeting ID: 401 014 156; at 11 a.m. join Zoom Meeting at https://score.zoom.us/j/953359546 using Meeting ID: 953 359 546 or join mobile +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) using Meeting ID: 953 359 546; at 1 p.m. join Zoom Meeting at https://score.zoom.us/j/358760584 using Meeting ID: 358 760 584 or join mobile +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) using Meeting ID: 358 760 584; and at 3 p.m. join Zoom Meeting at https://score.zoom.us/j/293099534 using Meeting ID: 293 099 534 or join mobile +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) using Meeting ID: 293 099 534.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible. They will continue to assist small businesses through their District Office and Resource Partners, including: Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SCORE Mentors, and the Women’s Business Center.
Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Mindi Snyder, said she will be available by email or phone to assist local small businesses as they prepare their EIDL application. Which can be obtained online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Snyder and her associates at the Coastal Plains SBDC have also announced the COVID-19 Small Businesses Resources webpage that can be accessed at https://americassbdc.org/coronavirus-information/.
At this online resource, business owners can find a wealth of helpful resources, including:
- CDC Guidance for Businesses
- SBA Resources and Information
- OSHA Resources and Information
- Facebook for Business Tips and Resources
- The PlanningShop
- Intuit Quickbooks Resources and Tips
- Google Tools and Tips (Including information about Google’s Remote Work hub, with tips about running online meetings, collaborating on documents remotely, and more.)
Snyder explained that the American SBDC was working on offering a web-based training series on how to move your business online for those who don’t already have an online presence. To contact Snyder directly, she can be reached by phone at 713-743-6100 ext.668141 or by email at mrsnyder@uh.edu.
