COVID-19 Small Business & Unemployment Information

State of South Dakota – Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Fund (for COVID)

• The State of South Dakota has launched a fund to help small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by COVID.
• Governor Noem and the South Dakota State Legislature have created several grant programs to help businesses combat the financial impacts of COVID-19. The application period opens Tuesday, Oct. 13.There are five components of the program:
  • The Small Business Interruption program will provide up to $400 million
  • The Small Business Startup program will provide up to $10 million
  • The Small Nonprofit COVID Interruption program will provide up to $40 million
  • The Community Based Healthcare Providers program will provide up to $115 million
  • The Acute Care in Hospitals program will provide up to $15 million
• To learn more about the grant programs, visit covid.sd.gov.
  The application period runs Oct. 13-30. After it closes, all applications will be reviewed and funds dispersed. If you have any desire to access available funds, it is important to apply now – even if you are not sure if you qualify – because the provisions of the program may be changed in the future.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

• Unemployment Information:
  • Unemployment Provisions for Workers Affected by COVID-19 – Flow Chart
  • Dept of Labor COVID-19 Resources: https://dlr.sd.gov/covid_19_resources.aspx
    • Includes a Video tutorial on “How to File a UI Claim.”  
  • Benefits Information for Individuals: https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/individuals/default.aspx
    • Tips for filing a claim: https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/individuals/tips_for_workers.aspx
    • Chart of assistance amounts
• Job Search:
  • Within the Sioux Empire  –Opportunity Sioux Falls
  • Other areas, search www.helplinecenter.org/211database and click into the Employment category

Small Business Information

• Guide to the CARES Act for Small Businesses
• South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development – Learn more about Governor Noem’s Small Business Relief Fund
• The Small Business Administration has information about applying for disaster loans. Please visit sba.gov/disaster.
• SBA Disaster Loans Applications Now Accepted..Learn more here!
• South Dakota Arts Community’s Coronavirus Resource Center. Learn more here!
• A list of precautions compiled by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation (plus resources). View them here!
• Covid-19 Resources for Family-Owned Businesses include free weekly conference calls with Prairie Family Business Learn more here!
• Sturgis Economic Development Corporation has small business Bridge Loan Package. Visit sturigsdevelopment.com for more information. 

Chamber Resources

• Support Sioux Falls
  • consists of a website at supportsiouxfalls.biz and a resource hotline – (605) 373-2005 or business@siouxfalls.com. These tools provide access to information needed for business operations, connect consumers to ways they can support local businesses and offer a channel for business leaders to share concerns about the type of ongoing support needed from our government and program leaders.
• Elevate Rapid City
  • is working to connect businesses who have supplies to sell with those who are in need. Please visit the website to fill out this form if you are a business in need of supplies or a business who can fulfill a need for items such as hand sanitizer, gloves, N95 masks or more. Learn more at https://elevaterapidcity.com/resources/coronavirus-news/

Guidance on What Jobs are “Essential” 

The Department of Homeland Security has specific guidance regarding essential and non-essential businesses.  They have a list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Click here for more info. 

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