The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has re-opened and participating financial institutions are accepting applications. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions are able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. Updated PPP guidance outlining program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. Click here to see the press release from the US Treasury Department.

Financial institution PPP portals and updates:

Bank of the West · WestAmerica Bank · Redwood Credit Union · Bank of America · Wells Fargo

The following are direct links to additional application forms and guidance from the SBA:

Updated First Draw Forms

Second Draw Forms

Guidance & Resources

More relief deal provisions

Apart from PPP loans (see above), the $900 billion relief deal to help small businesses that have suffered loses due to the coronavirus includes:

$20 billion: New Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants (EIDL)
$15 billion: Relief funding for live venues, movie theaters
$600: Individual stimulus checks, including for dependents
Extends and modifies Employee Retention Tax Credit: replaces wages for small business employees
Alcohol excise tax: Makes permanent existing tax relief for winemakers
Extends the New Market Tax Credit and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for 5 years
Low Income Housing Tax Credits: Makes permanent a 4% rate floor for credits
$72 million per year in disaster LIHTC allocations for California disaster counties
Extends solar ITC for 2 years and wind PTC for one year, including offshore wind
Modifies and extends existing credits for paid family leave

The Chamber will continue to update this section as details become available on each category.

Click here for a full summary of the bill.

Testing information

Testing is important to identify cases and keep our community healthy as well as to help case rate numbers. Encourage your employees to get tested.

Beginning on Tuesday, December 29^th, OptumServe will begin providing COVID-19 testing services in Napa County as part of a new contract with the State of California. The State’s contract with Verily, also known as Project Baseline, will end effective Saturday, December 26^th at 4:00 PM. Existing appointments for December 28th and 29th will be honored.

The new testing services will be provided free of charge five days a week with extended hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Testing at the Napa Valley Expo will continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, excluding holidays. The mobile testing days will now take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, excluding holidays.

Create a new account and make an appointment

Napa County mobile testing calendar

Napa County mobile testing locations

Full County of Napa Covid Testing webpage

Need a same day test with rapid results?

Industry & workplace guidance

Click here for industry guidance from the State, including information on the regional stay-at-home order, how to reopen your business safely and specific guidelines for different industries.

To help plan and prepare your business for safe reopening, download the playbook here.

Click here for guidance for responding to responding to COVID-19 cases in the workplace.

Click here for more from Napa County regarding industry and workplace guidance including:

California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy including our current tier assignment
General workplace guidance including prevention and preparation
Resources and information for workplace outbreaks
Specific guidelines by industry

Information for employers & employees

For employers

Work Sharing Program. Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing program as a temporary alternative to layoffs if the business’s production or services have been reduced.

Partial Unemployment Insurance Claims to Keep Employees. Your employees can file for Unemployment Insurance benefits and certify to receive ongoing payments. They are not required to look for a new job because they are considered partially unemployed.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). A program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more

For employees

How to file for unemployment (video)

The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) provides a variety of support and relief services to employees affected by COVID-19 in California. Visit their COVID-19 resource page.

Partial unemployment benefits are available if you have reduced work hours.

Sick or quarantined workers can file a disability insurance claim.

Need to take care of an ill family member? Get up to six weeks of paid family leave for caregiving.

OnwardCa.org is a new platform connecting displaced California workers with more than 70,000 job opportunities in critical industries.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more.

Cal/OSHA regulations to keep you safe at work.

Workplace Signage

Need COVID-19 related signage for your business, such as floor stickers, face mask requirements, etc.?

Click here to access our folder of designs and find out how to order locally.

American Express is offering complimentary signs & supplies related to COVID-19 safety. Click here for more info.

Financial assistance

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) round 2: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Read the press release here. We will continue to update this section as new information becomes available.

CA Small Business Relief Grant: CalOSBA and the State of California announce $500 million in COVID-19 relief grants for California small businesses. A first round of applications is open until 1/13/2021. A second round will be announced soon. Eligible small businesses and nonprofits may apply directly at CAReliefGrant.com, or with assistance from a partner (visit website for assistance options). There are three local partners assisting Napa County with the grant administration. You can learn more about each partner by clicking here.

PPP Forgivable Loans: a new round in the new federal relief package. It is important that you check-in with your banking/lending institution to see what their specific process will be to address redistribution or reapplication for funds when the time comes. We update this section as more information is available. Please continue to check the SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources page and specifically the PPP Loan Information Page.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Program for those not eligible for regular unemployment like independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and more.

Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (via IBank). $50 million in state funding, providing potential capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). SBA loans available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses.

Small Business Debt Relief Program Loans. If you are a current borrower under SBA 7(a) (not through PPP), a 504 loan program or a microloan, you are eligible for debt relief and SBA will cover all loan payments for 6 months.

Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center

The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may eligible for this program. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. Loans are available up to $5 million.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) may provide reimbursement for paid leave costs related to COVID-19.

Tax & reporting deferrals

Delay of State Payroll Reports from the EDD

The State of California is providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19 including small business interest free deferral of sales/use tax and a 90-day extension on all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes.

The IRS has set up a special section to help taxpayers and businesses affected by COVID-19. The page will be updated as new programs are made available.