YOUR BUSINESS IS TOP OF MIND FOR US.

ASKSBDC.COM and LIVE Q and A Town Hall

ASK SBDC – is an initiative of the Northern California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC's), and is part of our continued effort to do everything in our creative power to help your business overcome the challenges of the current economic crisis and prepare your business for reopening.

Visit ASKSBDC.com to discover the most up-to-date, accurate information concerning COVID-19 and Cares Act resources for small businesses. Call the 833-ASK-SBDC (833-275-7232) toll-free hotline to speak with a dedicated call center staff ready to help your business get answers to questions and connected to the right resources.

Ask your question. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 AM, join Scott Rogalski and Sunita Maharaj with the NorCal SBDC Finance Center Team as they discuss EIDL and PPP updates and information specific to reopening businesses in Northern California.

Need answers fast? Email loans @ asksbdc.com with your question, and someone from the Norcal SBDC finance team will reply within 1 — 2 business days.

Watch the Q and A LiveStream on ASKSBDC | Interact with us on Zoom

ASK an ATTORNEY

Bring your questions and learn key updates from experienced professionals and attorneys covering topics including PPP and unemployment, practical advice on borrowing, payroll issues and more. Thursdays at 4 PM | Zoom password: baseforce

Join Zoom | Thursdays at 4 PM

Guidance for Restaurants: from California's Dept. of Public Health

This document provides guidance for dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, pubs, and wineries to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers.

Download PDF

The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act

This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

View the CARES Act Guide

Online Webinars for Coping with COVID-19

Featuring interviews with experts in capital resource, e-commerce and more... These FREE SBDC webinars are designed to equip you with tools to navigate the economic difficulties posed by COVID-19.

Watch the FREE Webinars

Download the SBDC's Guide to COVID-19 Loans and forms.

An application guide for EIDL assistance.

Download EIDL Guide PDF | Visit the EIDL Application Portal

Download the COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide

We have developed the Small Business Survival Resources related to COVID-19 to help navigate through the chaos COVID-19 is having on our communities. Please reach out to our SBDC center if you have questions regarding how your business can maximize the available help.

Download Survival Guide PDF

U.S. Federal Support

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide up to $2M in Disaster Assistance Loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Learn More
  • SBA Guidance for employers to plan and respond to COVID-19.
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus. Learn More
  • Department of Labor - OSHA- Check out this guide - Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. Download Now

California State-Level Support

  • Employment Development Department (EDD) - Reduced Work Hours - Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program - alternative to layoffs. Employer Info
  • EDD Tax Assistance - request a 60 day extension to file payroll and more. Call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center 1-888-745-3886 (toll-free). More from EDD>>>
  • CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)- Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP), Jump Start Loan Program and more.
  • Department of Industrial Relations- Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus. Review the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) and required protection.

The Northern California SBDC Finance Center

The NorCal SBDC Finance Center is a partnership of the Northern California SBDC nonprofit network, and our only focus is helping connect your business with the right people and the right kind of money to start, grow, or sell your business. We can help you apply for financial support such as SBA disaster assistance loans to ensure you have a financial plan to endure the weeks and months ahead…

For more information, please reach out to someone on our team who can connect you with the right resources. Lean more about the Finance Center on their Facebook Page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

How can I keep my employees safe?

How can I keep my food manufacturing business customers safe?

How can I keep my public office, retail, and food service business safe?

When should I send an employee home?

When should I close?

What if I have to lay off employees or close?

Employee Sick Leave

Paid Family Leave

Unemployment Insurance

Temporary Disability Insurance

State Income Tax Extension

State Payroll Tax Extension

Other Questions

I'm Self-Employed - Is there help for me?

Questions & Answers - Pop Up Small Business Survival COVID-19

Our Team
The Santa Cruz SBDC is staffed with experienced leaders who assist SBDC clients grow and develop their businesses.

Our Partners
The Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center network is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration