We have gathered the following list of resources in an effort to help our businesses be prepared for withstanding the current situation and other emergencies and disasters

Director's Stay At Home Order Extended Until May 1

Governor DeWine Signs HB 197

Temporary Pandemic Childcare License

Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the creation of the Office of Small Business Relief within the Ohio Development Services Agency. The Office will coordinate state efforts to identify and provide direct support for Ohio’s nearly 950,000 small businesses.

The President signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which provides provisions for paid sick leave, free testing and expanded unemployment benefits.

Employers

• Provisions
• Employer Paid Leave Requirements
• Guide

Employees

• Fact Sheet for Non-Federal Employees
• Fact Sheet for Federal Employees

FAQ

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency.

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

The Paycheck Protection Program will be available retroactive from February 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees, through June 30, 2020. Small businesses and sole proprietors may begin applying on April 3, 2020. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning April 10, 2020.

CARES Act FAQ

CARES Act Explained

U.S. Department of Treasury - CARES Act

Paycheck Protection Program Information Sheet

Paycheck Protection Program Application Form

Paycheck Protection Program FAQ

Small Business Checklist for Coronavirus Emergency Loans

Updates from the US Chamber of Commerce

Ohio businesses and non-profits economically impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 may now apply for a low-interest loan of up to $2 million to help pay for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. You can apply for the loan online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/, which is recommended, or by calling 1-800-659-2955 to have an application mailed to you. Loan Advances of up to $10,000 are available to be applied for.

To expedite the application process, applicants should have ready complete copies of their most recent federal income tax return and a completed and signed IRS Form 4506T, which authorizes the release of tax information. Additional information to have available would be a schedule of liabilities, personal financial statement, monthly sales figures, a current year-to-date profit-and-loss statement, and a year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year if the most recent federal income tax return has not been filed.

The Small Business Development Center team is working with businesses through the various SBA/EIDL assistance programs.  You can contact Bill Wersell, Vice President Business Development Services, 419-243-8191, ext. 224 or e-mail: bill.wersell@toledochamber.com

EIDL Guidelines

Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Executive Order 2020-03D broadens state policy to clarify that individuals who are quarantined during the emergency period are considered to be unemployed. This also applies to companies that determine they need to temporarily shut down.

The executive order waives the one-week waiting period normally required before individuals can begin receiving benefits, and it waives the requirement that they actively search for work while receiving benefits. In order not to penalize employers by increasing their future taxes, the cost of these benefits will be mutualized over time. In addition, the executive order waives penalties for late filing and payment for the duration of the emergency.

To apply for benefits, visit unemployment.ohio.gov anytime day or night, or call 1-877-644-6562 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recommends providing the this information to employees who have been laid off due to COVID-19.

FAQ for Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

SharedWork Ohio is an alternative to layoffs for employers. It allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain their staff during times of reduced business activity. Under a SharedWork Ohio plan, employers reduce hours to avert a layoff. The participating employee works the reduced hours, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours.  JFS.Ohio.gov/SharedWorkOhio.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is announcing that insurance premium installment payments due for March, April and May for the current policy year may be deferred until June 1, 2020, at which time the matter will be reconsidered. This is for public and private employers. BWC will not lapse (cancel) coverage or assess penalties for amounts not paid because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Installment payments due for the three-month period total approximately $200 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bowling Green Economic Development would like you to be aware of a special 9% interest loan available to merchants.  Loan amounts will be for $2,000 to $10,000 – First 6 month are payment-free, followed by 12 money repayment installments.  If you would like the application e-mailed to you or if you have any questions, contact the Bowling Green Economic Development office at 419-353-3591 or email hboblitt@bowlinggreen-oh.com.

The Red Cross is in need of health blood donors. Over 6000 blood drives have been cancelled across our nation due to the Coronavirus outbreak. That’s an estimated 175,000 units of blood that could go uncollected. During this Coronavirus outbreak it is safe to give blood. Precautions have been put in place to protect the public.

If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment now to donate in the days ahead by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a one-time liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This will especially aid those establishments that have stocked up on high-proof liquor ahead of the St. Patrick's Day holiday for which they now have no use, due to their closure to in-house patrons.

Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1(877)812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov. 

The Ohio Liquor Control Commission passed an emergency rule to allow establishments with an existing on-premises liquor permit to sell and deliver alcohol, including high-proof liquor in limited quantity, for off-premises consumption.
Breweries can also now sell beer and wine that are not their own without food purchase, but food purchase is required for the sale of high-proof liquor.
Under the rule, patrons can purchase no more than two drinks per meal. All drinks must be closed and remain closed during transport as per the open container law cited in ORC 4301.01(B)(6). Drinks cannot contain more than two ounces of spirituous liquor per container.
This rule will remain in effect for up to 120 days unless rescinded by the Liquor Control Commission, whichever occurs first.
Similar emergency rulings have been enacted recently in other states, such as New York and Texas, to provide some financial relief to restaurants and bars that have had to close their dining rooms to contain the spread of COVID-19.
As always, patrons are encouraged to drink responsibly and obey all applicable laws.

The Ohio Department of Health
Updates from the Ohio Department of Health
COVID-19 hotline: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH

U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Updates from the CDC

Wood County Board of Elections
The primary election has been extended to April 28. All voters wanting to participate must apply for an absentee ballot.

Wood County Emergency Management
Updates from the Wood County EMA

Wood County Health Department
Updates from the Wood County Health Department
Interim Guide for Employers (3/17/2020)
Customizable Visitor Sign to place on your doors

Wood County Hospital
Information and Updates for COVID-19