Coronavirus Business Resources
Resources for Employers, Employees and Other Specific Information
Latest news & announcements related to COVID-19
For up to date information on vaccine distribution in Sonoma County, go to socoemergency.org/vaccine
Use the links to jump to topics
- Vaccine appointments & testing guidance for business
- Access to capital
- Tax & reporting deferrals
- Re-opening your business
- General resources & information
- Employment info & resources for employers
- Child care
- Utilities & housing information & assistance
Vaccine and Testing guidance for business
Vaccines Distribution
The supply of COVID-19 vaccines is currently plentiful and many clinics are offering walk-up services. Appointments can be made through your healthcare provider or at a vaccination clinic. Insurance is not required to get the vaccine. Appointment scheduling, walk-up clinics and more information at socoemergency.org/vaccine.
The State of California is helping employers organize mobile or pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics. There is no financial cost to the employer. Employers interested in requesting group appointments at nearby providers, or setting up a mobile or pop-up vaccination clinic at their workplace, must complete the online intake form. LEARN MORE
Testing guidance for business from the EDB
Local businesses can play a pivotal role in helping to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by testing, working with community partners, and modeling best practices. LEARN MORE
Testing information and locations from the County of Sonoma
What to do if an employee tests positive
Resources to help establish protocols when an employee has symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19 and when an employee has been exposed to someone confirmed to have COVID-19, including employer guidance and reporting and notification requirements. LEARN MORE
Access to capital
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
The program is now closed and in the process of selecting applicants from the waitlist to move forward in the review process. LEARN MORE
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. You can find more information at the SBA site. LEARN MORE
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
COVID EIDL is no longer accepting new applications but will continue to accept requests for increases, reconsideration, and appeals. SBA loans available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses. LEARN MORE
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
SVOG is no longer accepting new applications. The SVOG portal remains open to all active applicants and awardees.
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. LEARN MORE
Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program
$50 million in state funding (via IBank), providing potential capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds. LEARN MORE
Private industry
- HelloAlice is helping entrepreneurs and SMBs navigate resources, has step-by-step guides for government aid applications and is building grant pools at their COVID 19 Business Resource Center.
Tax & reporting deferrals
COVID19.CA.gov
California and the federal government are providing tax assistance and benefits to small businesses. This includes:
- Three-month extension for individuals and businesses to file and pay their taxes and fees originally due between December 15, 2020, and April 30, 2021. Taxpayers reporting less than $1,000,000 in taxes and fees on a return originally due during this period are not required to seek an extension from CDTFA. Relief will be automatically provided. If the due date of a return was not automatically extended, and it is under $1 million in tax, submit a request for relief from interest and penalty. LEARN MORE
- Interest-free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales.
- Excluding forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans from state gross income
- Visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website to apply for special assistance, including filing and payment extensions, and/or relief from interest and penalties.
- Employers experiencing a hardship may request up to a 60-day extension from the Employment Development Department to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest.
IRS Resources for Employers
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. LEARN MORE
- The federal Employee Retention Tax Credit is available through June 30, 2021. LEARN MORE
- Federal tax credits to small businesses for COVID-19 employee paid leave. LEARN MORE
Re-opening your business
SoCo Launch
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board's an online portal featuring resources to safely and successfully re-open your business in accordance with the latest Public Health Order. LEARN MORE
Current County Safety Measures
Check the status of health orders and safety measures in Sonoma County. LEARN MORE
Current State Safety Measures
Thanks to millions of vaccinations, California’s economy is open. There are no county tiers, capacity limits, or physical distancing requirements. But we still need some common-sense safety measures until more people are vaccinated. LEARN MORE
General resources & information
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board has created a webpage that contains resources for Sonoma County employers and employees. LEARN MORE
SoCoEmergency has up to date information on county-wide resources and response. LEARN MORE
CA.gov
California is providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19. LEARN MORE
GO-Biz
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has resources available to businesses affected by COVID-19. LEARN MORE
Tourism and Travel Industry Related Resources
- Sonoma County Tourism recovery toolkit and more: https://www.sonomacounty.com/partners
Employment resources & info for employers
The Job Link Business Services Team can walk your business through resources and options on layoffs or reducing work hours, info to give to employees and answer questions about EDD services: 707-565-8079 or email joblinkbusinessgroup@schsd.org. LEARN MORE
Employment Development Department - Partial Unemployment Insurance Claims to Keep Employees. LEARN MORE
Employment Development Department - Work Sharing Program. LEARN MORE
Child care
Important Information for business on Emergency Pop Up Child Care from 4Cs (Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County). LEARN MORE
Utilities, housing information & assistance
PG&E resources and assistance programs for business through June 30, 2021. LEARN MORE
AT&T is taking new steps in working with residential customers and small businesses through fee waivers and data overage waivers through June 30, 2021. LEARN MORE
Generation Housing has information on eviction and foreclosure injunctions, protection from utilities and services shut-offs, and more local, state, and federal emergency housing policy. LEARN MORE
The County of Sonoma has housing and renter support information. LEARN MORE
The Metro Chamber will continue to update you with new information as we receive it.
