Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and Assistance Resources

INSIGHTi

Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and
Assistance Resources
Updated April 5, 2021
This CRS Insight presents selected websites and CRS products potentially relevant to small businesses
that are directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and seeking economic
relief and assistance.
For an analysis of the small business provisions contained in various congressional legislation throughout
the pandemic, see CRS Report R46284, COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and
Policy Options.
For businesses interested in supporting COVID-19 mobilization efforts, see CRS Insight IN11419,
COVID-19: Selected Federal Resources for Businesses Seeking to Assist with Research and
Manufacturing Efforts.
For a list of CRS products related to COVID-19, see the CRS COVID-19 Resources page.
Selected Resources
Note that the federal government typically assists businesses through loans rather than grants—though
there are exceptions. Sometimes local and state governments may offer business grants (see section below
on “State, Local, and Philanthropic Resources”). Additionally, during the pandemic, Congress has
authorized grant, loan, and loan forgiveness programs for business relief.
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) webpage Coronavirus Relief Options provides information
on assistance programs made available by Congress.
 SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are low-interest loans and are still available
to eligible small businesses.
 The Emergency EIDL Advance program provided EIDL advance payments of up to
$10,000, which did not need to be repaid, and which are no longer available. The SBA is
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now offering Targeted EIDL Advances, but those grants are only available to businesses
by SBA invitation.
 The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), perhaps the most prominent program, is
currently accepting applications until May 31, 2021.
 The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG) provides grants to shuttered
venues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible participants include live venue
operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organizations, and other
entities. See CRS Report R46689, SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program
(SVOG).
 The Restaurant Revitalization grant program will provide grants to restaurants and other
food and beverage-related establishments that have experienced COVID-19-related
revenue loss.
Businesses may contact local SBA district offices with questions about these COVID-19-related
assistance programs.
SBA continues to offer a number of nondisaster loans and grants. For more information, contact local
SBA affiliates:
 SBA district offices
 Small Business Development Centers
 Other SBA-affiliated resource partners
For summaries of nondisaster SBA assistance programs, see CRS Report RL33243, Small Business
Administration: A Primer on Programs and Funding.
Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a number of programs to agricultural producers whose
operations have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic; see CRS In Focus IF11764, U.S. Agricultural
Aid in Response to COVID-19.
USDA’s Rural Development Business programs also provide financial and technical assistance to
qualified rural businesses; see CRS Report RL31837, An Overview of USDA Rural Development
Programs. USDA also has announced measures to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 and has
published a COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a flexible program that provides funds to address a
wide range of community development needs, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. In
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some U.S. localities have announced efforts to support small
businesses with existing CDBG funds, and HUD has issued a guide for infectious disease response; see
CRS Insight IN11277, Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic with Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Authorities, and CRS Insight IN11315, Community Development Block Grants and the
CARES Act. For more information on eligible activities, see HUD’s “CDBG Infectious Disease
Response” webpage or contact local or state CDBG administrators.

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Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help employers and workers prepare for and respond to
COVID-19, including information on workplace safety; wages, hours, and leave; unemployment
insurance; and other topics.
Department of the Treasury
The Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund supports organizations that provide
loans to businesses, homebuyers, community developers, and investors in distressed areas; see CRS
Report R42770, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: Programs and Policy
Issues.
Federal Government Contracting Opportunities
Incumbent and potential contractors may access federal agencies’ solicitations on the beta version of the
System for Award Management. For example, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
Authority (part of the Department of Health and Human Services) issued a solicitation for advanced
development and licensing of COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines, or medicines. Although some
solicitations might include the term “COVID-19,” contracting opportunities related to the pandemic may
not necessarily include this term or related terms.
Small businesses may find information about the federal procurement process in the SBA’s contracting
guide; see CRS Report RS22536, Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources.
Economic Development Administration
The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration administers a revolving loan
fund (RLF) program. Eligible businesses may receive a loan from one of the approximately 400
organizations administering EDA-funded RLFs. According to the EDA, eligible businesses can apply for
loans from an RLF for working capital or fixed assets for operating expenses, business growth, job
retention, or similar efforts. See CRS Insight IN11418, COVID-19: EDA Revolving Loan Funds for
Businesses.
Minority Business Development Agency
The Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the lead federal
agency dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of the minority business community.
Through a network of local business development centers, the MBDA provides a variety of business
assistance services to minority-controlled business enterprises of all sizes. Local Minority Business
Development Centers are available in a number of communities.
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension
Partnership
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a national
network of centers that provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers to improve
production processes, upgrade capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. For more information, see
CRS Report R44308, The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

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Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service provides updated information on tax relief for individuals and businesses
affected by COVID-19, including news releases and frequently asked questions, on its Coronavirus Tax
Relief page; also, see CRS Report R46279, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
Act—Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses.
State, Local, and Philanthropic Resources
State and local economic development or commerce agencies may provide assistance to new and
established businesses. Many city and state governments are offering COVID-19 business relief in the
form of loans, grants, or tax-deferral programs.
Although foundations do not typically award grants to businesses, some private grantmakers or local
community foundations do. For example, some private grantmakers have provided relief funds to women-
and minority-owned businesses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has compiled a resources
guide of financial assistance to small businesses affected by COVID-19.
GovLoans.gov
GovLoans.gov is a collaborative effort across federal agencies that provides information on loan
programs. See the “loan finder” tool, and the coronavirus resources page.
USA.gov
USA.gov lists a number of resources on the federal government response to COVID-19. See the
“Businesses” section for links to the Department of the Treasury, Export-Import Bank, Farm Credit
Administration, and other federal agencies.


Author Information

Maria Kreiser

Senior Research Librarian





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