DE Relief Grants will assist Delaware businesses affected by COVID-19

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Wednesday announced grant program of at least $100 million to assist Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The DE Relief Grants program announced on Wednesday is a joint initiative of the State of Delaware and New Castle County, and is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The program is expected to reach more than 3,000 small businesses and nonprofit organizations with grants of up to $100,000. The Division of Small Business is administering the program and will begin accepting applications in early September at delbiz.com/relief.

“Delaware small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis. We owe them our gratitude and support,” said Governor Carney. “These relief grants will help Delaware small businesses begin the process of recovering and will help make investments necessary to create safer spaces for their customers and staff.”

“Small businesses and nonprofits are facing expensive costs as they retrofit their workplaces,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We’re pleased to be able to join with the State of Delaware in supporting this important program.”

DE Relief Grants can be used for:

• Purchasing equipment to make a workplace suitable for COVID-19 safety (such as PPE, plexiglass, air purifiers, etc.)
• Refinancing of debt incurred due to COVID-19 (including State of Delaware HELP loans)
• Advertising efforts undertaken as a result of COVID-19
• Fixed expenses the applicant accrued during COVID-19

“I’ve seen small businesses across Delaware do some amazing things to adapt and stay afloat under the extraordinary circumstances of the last six months, but so many are hanging by a thread as the pandemic drags on,” said Representative Bill Bush, who chairs the House Economic Development, Banking and Insurance Committee. “This grant funding represents a lifeline that will help our small business community overcome the next phase of this crisis.”

“This is about much more than making up for lost revenue,” said Senator Trey Paradee, chair of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee. “It’s about helping keep the doors open at the small businesses in Kent County and across the state that provide Delawareans with the paychecks and health care their families are relying on now more than ever. It’s about making our businesses safe.”

“Delaware small businesses and nonprofits have been remarkably resilient in dealing with this pandemic,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They are the backbone of Delaware’s economy, and we feel it is imperative that the state continues to support them.”

“Multiple programs are necessary to address the challenges Delaware’s small businesses face,” said Damian DeStefano, Director of the Division of Small Business. “We believe this assistance, coupled with other efforts, including the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and the COVID-19 Customer Protection Standards, help make the difference for some of our small businesses.”

The Division of Small Business will begin accepting applications in early September and will follow with funding rounds in early October and November.

“DE Relief Grants are a welcome commitment by the state to help support our small business community and the valuable jobs they offer to so many Delawareans,” said Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association. “The effects of the pandemic have and continue to hit the food services industry particularly hard. While no single effort is a panacea, this program will certainly help restaurants as they work to stabilize revenues while protecting the health and safety of customers and employees.”

“Enhanced financial support for small businesses was a key recommendation of the business subcommittee of Governor Carney’s Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee, and has been advocated for by the state chamber,” said Katie Wilkinson, chair of the PRAC Business Subcommittee and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “These grants can make the difference for the survival of some of our small businesses over the next few months.”

The Division of Small Business’ team of Regional Business Managers is available to help companies prepare their applications. Small businesses can connect with the manager for their part of the state at delbiz.com/contact. For more information on DE Relief Grants, visit delbiz.com/relief.

The size of the relief grant will be based on the business or nonprofit’s 2019 revenue:

• $0-$500,000: Up to $30,000
• $500,000-$1 million: Up to $50,000
• $1 million-$2.5 million: Up to $72,500
• $2.5+ million: Up to $100,000

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. 

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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Churches may conduct outside gatherings; applications available for restaurant outdoor seating

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Saturday released an update on Delaware’s response to COVID-19. On Friday afternoon, Governor Carney signed the 19^th modification to his State of Emergency declaration, formalizing steps taken earlier in the week to allow restaurants to expand outdoor seating capacity.

All Delaware food and drink establishments may apply to their local municipal or county jurisdiction with plans to expand outdoor seating. The Delaware Office of Alcohol Beverage Control also will review plans submitted by applicants with liquor licenses. Delaware restaurants and bars are scheduled to open their indoor spaces at 30 percent of stated fire capacity during Phase 1 of Delaware’s economic reopening, beginning June 1.

Click here for the outdoor seating application for Delaware restaurants.

“We want everyone to enjoy Delaware’s great restaurants, bars and craft breweries, but we’re asking that you do so safely, in a way that protects our neighbors and members of all of our families,” said Governor Carney. “We know Delaware’s hospitality industry has been hit especially hard by this crisis. Our hope is this change will allow restaurants, bars, and craft breweries to safely expand their businesses outdoors.”

To help Delaware businesses prepare for reopening, the State of Delaware launched a new Business to Business Toolkit to help connect businesses with vendors selling masks, gloves, and other protective supplies. The toolkit includes a listing of self-reported information from suppliers that responded to the Governor Carney’s Community Call-to-Action. Vendors with available supplies can complete this form to be added to the vendor list. Businesses should conduct appropriate due diligence to verify the vendor information prior to contracting for products or services.

Governor Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) also updated guidance for Delaware churches and other communities of worship on Saturday. Delaware churches and houses of worship may conduct outdoor services without limitations on gathering sizes, as long as they follow social distancing and other basic health precautions, including around handwashing and face coverings.

Communities of worship must post signage detailing basic health precautions, including information about social distancing, frequent hand washing, and the use of face coverings. Churches and houses of worship also should discourage parishioners 65 and older from attending services, because of their greater risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and falling seriously ill.

All Delaware houses of worship have been deemed essential under Delaware’s stay-at-home order since Governor signed the order on Sunday, March 22.

Read the 19th modification to Governor Carney’s State of Emergency declaration.

“Delawareans have fundamental right to practice their faith, but we need everyone to do so safely. You don’t have a right to get others sick,” said Governor Carney. “This is a serious disease. Keep your distance. Wear a face covering. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. All of Delaware’s restrictions are based on public health guidance. More than 300 Delawareans, and nearly 100,000 Americans, have died from this terrible disease. These precautions are not intended to be an annoyance. They’re intended to limit transmission of COVID-19 and save as many lives as we can.”

For additional details about Delaware’s economic reopening, visit de.gov/economy. 

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, should call Delaware 2-1-1, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medical-related questions related to testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

 DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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Retail, hair dressers able to resume limited services while maintaining health guidelines

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced a series of interim steps allowing small businesses to resume limited operations effective 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8.

The goal of the interim steps is to provide economic relief to Delaware citizens and businesses who are struggling financially – while maintaining strict adherence to health and safety guidelines. The steps also will help as Delawareans and Delaware businesses adapt to new ways of operating once Phase 1 begins. 

Also on Tuesday, Governor Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced a plan to test all residents and staff of Delaware long-term care facilities for COVID-19. DPH will provide facilities with tests, testing supplies, training, and support for the universal testing program to protect the most vulnerable Delawareans. Expanding COVID-19 testing capacity for vulnerable populations is a requirement of federal guidance for economic reopening.

Public health experts at the Division of Public Health (DPH) will support clinicians at long-term care facilities with the new testing program. DPH will provide guidance on testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic persons and the interpretation of results.  DPH will also provide recommendations to protect residents and staff based on results, including transmission-based precautions, isolation, and patient and staff management strategies.

“I understand how hard this has been for Delawareans across our state. We’ve tried to find ways to ease the pain without compromising public health,” said Governor Carney. “But even these limited steps allowing businesses to offer additional services will require strict compliance with safety standards, especially social distancing. We cannot afford to go backwards and see new cases and hospitalizations spike. Getting used to a new normal won’t be easy, but this is the first step to being able to reopen our economy.”

“Residents of long-term care facilities are extremely vulnerable to complications from the virus that causes COVID-19 due to chronic health conditions,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. “We are incredibly pleased to be able to support this testing strategy which will enable us to help the facilities better identify outbreaks among both staff and residents and contain the spread of the disease through a variety of interventions. It is an important component in our rapidly expanding testing strategy.”

Below are the interim steps the Governor announced are effective at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8:

• Small business retailers will be allowed to do business using curbside pickup as long as social distancing can be maintained.  These retailers include:
  • Clothing stores
  • Shoe stores
  • Sporting goods, hobby, musical instruments
  • Book, periodical, music stores
  • Department stores
  • Tobacco and Vape
  • Other general merchandise
  • Office supply, stationery, and gift stores
  • Used merchandise stores
  • Consumer goods rental
• Jewelry stores may do business by appointment only, and the Governor has instructed the Division of Small Business to consider additional changes like this for other similar retailers.
• Cosmetology: Hair care services only are permitted to be offered, and only to workers at essential businesses. Guidelines include:
  • No more than two appointments at a time per location (and never more than the number of available staff, so just one for a sole proprietor). Need to leave 15 minutes between appointments for proper cleaning.
  • Employees and customers must wear cloth face masks at all times, and customers must cancel appointments if they have any reason to believe they may be ill or may have come into contact with the virus.
  • Staff must wear disposable gloves when providing services and must throw away gloves between customers and wash hands.
  • Employer must require employees to report their temperature daily — above 99.5 means they are ineligible to work.
  • Customer stations must be sanitized between use, along with any equipment used for the customer. In addition, any item a customer handles (like a magazine) must leave with the customer.
  • Entrance door must remain locked to outside to prevent walk-ins.
• Other

• • Golf carts allowed at courses for 1 rider at a time with proper cleaning between customers
  • Drive-in movies are permitted, but patrons must remain inside vehicles and social distancing must be maintained at all times.

Employees required to report to work as a result of these changes will now be permitted to utilize child care services, provided neither parent works from home and they do not have alternate care.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Global supply chains will be forever changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. No company or organization will have one sole source of supply in any one country again. Sourcing is already shifting away from China and toward other markets. This offers a bright side for Delaware businesses, as exports could ultimately increase.

Local businesses can learn more about how international markets and exports will be affected by this pandemic from a new webinar series presented by Export Delaware: “Global Conversations….With Our Export Delaware Family Worldwide”.

“For business professionals, now is the time to be proactive and assess which countries and markets are best for you to focus on,” said Beth Pomper, director of Export Delaware, a division of the Delaware Department of State. “While we are all working from home, it is important to maintain relationships with those clients you have or new ones you met on business trips, and learn what you can do proactively now to relaunch when borders open.”

The Export Delaware foreign trade office family will be featured in each session, providing details of their current market situation and opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, South America, Canada, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

The sessions will be interactive, with an opportunity to ask questions live from home. Exporters already doing business in the region and businesses just curious to learn more are encouraged to join. Registration is complimentary.

Opportunities for Delaware Exporters in Australia & New Zealand
Live from Brisbane, Australia
April 21, 2020 at 4:00 PM
Register Here

Join us for a free webinar addressing the current state of play in the Australian and New Zealand markets, the future outlook, and tips for conducting international business in this challenging time.

European Market Overview and Forecast
Live from Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
April 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Register Here

Join us for this webinar to learn first-hand about the current business situation and future outlook in the United Kingdom and Ireland from Delaware’s trade representative, Declan Barry. Declan will share how suppliers will be diversifying, and outline opportunities for Delaware exporters.

Mexico and South America Market Overview and Forecast
Live from Mexico City
Friday, May 8, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Register Here

Join us on this webinar to learn first-hand about what’s going on in South America, specifically, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. Delaware’s trade representative in Latin America, Miguel de Regil will share his intel on the ground from Mexico.

Opportunities for Delaware Exporters in South Korea and Southeast Asia
Live from Seoul and Singapore
Monday, May 12, 8:00 AM
Register Here

Join us for a free webinar addressing the current state of business in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Delaware’s trade representatives, Ken Yang and Sarath Menon will provide a future outlook in their markets and share tips for conducting international business during this challenging time.

Proactive Strategies for Increasing your Business in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria
Live from Frankfurt, Germany
Tuesday, May 19, 10:00 AM
Register Here 

Join us for a free Zoom meeting addressing the current business situation and opportunities for Delaware businesses in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. As Germany will likely be the first country in Europe to open its borders, learn what you can proactively be doing now to expand and launch your products. Delaware’s trade representatives, Anette Hass, Sebastian Hass, Markus Wellman, and Fred Glickman from PM&P partners will share their perspectives from Germany.

About Export Delaware

If you are a new exporter, or want to explore new markets, we can help you get started! Export Delaware is an initiative of the Delaware Department of State. Our experienced staff provides on-site guidance to businesses that are looking to explore export opportunities or to expand their current export activities to new markets. We are the official global division of the State of Delaware; with a network of State foreign trade offices worldwide and funding assistance to help Delaware businesses. To connect with our team, contact Export@delaware.gov or go to www.export.delaware.gov.

H.E.L.P. to include more industries and additional small businesses

WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney on Thursday announced the expansion of the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) to provide financial relief for additional industries impacted because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The expansion makes personal care services businesses – such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, and beauty shops – eligible for the program.  

Eligible businesses must have been in operation for at least a year and have annual revenue below $2.5 million. The cap on the size of eligible was previously $1.5 million in annual revenue.

“Delaware workers and small business owners have been hit especially hard by the restrictions in place to fight this public health threat,” said Governor Carney. “Expanding the HELP program from the Division of Small Business will get more help to more Delaware families and entrepreneurs who are facing significant uncertainty. We all still need to do our part, and take the public health threat seriously. Stay at home. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Practice basic hygiene. We’ll get through this, but everyone needs to pitch in.”

H.E.L.P. offers no-interest loans of up to $10,000 per business per month. The loans can go toward rent, utilities, and other unavoidable bills, but cannot be used for personnel costs. The loans have a 10-year term with a nine-month deferment period. 

The Division of Small Business has been processing applications that have come in for the H.E.L.P. since it was first announced on March 18 to provide assistance to restaurants, bars, and other hospitality industry businesses. The Division expects to have the first round of payments out to approved businesses by the end of the week.

The Division of Small Businesses created a list of the most frequently asked question received from business owners as they completed the application. A list of the questions and answers are provided below.

Q: Which businesses qualify for H.E.L.P. under this expansion?

• Small businesses that have been in operation for at least a year and have annual revenue at or below $2.5 million in the following industries are eligible to apply:

• • Restaurants/Food Trucks/Caterers/Bakeries – 7225, 7223 3118
  • Bars and craft beverage makers – 7224 & 3121
  • Spectator Entertainment – 7111, 7112, 7113
  • Recreation Activities – 7121, 7131, 7139
  • Sightseeing Transportation – 4871, 4872, 4879, 4855
  • Travel Accommodations – 7211
  • Personal care services – 8121

Q: Does all the paperwork need to be completed, or should I submit to hold my place in line?

• Send in your application and related documents only once you have compiled all of them. Applications will not be placed into the queue for processing until ALL required documentation is submitted.

Q: Will the loan be turned into a grant?  

• No. H.E.L.P. offers zero interest loans with a nine-month deferment period.  At the end of the nine months, borrowers will be required to start making payments on the amount disbursed under the program.

Q: What do I do if my bank won’t let me accept another loan? 

• We would encourage you to reach out to your bank to discuss your options. You may still be able to apply for H.E.L.P.

Q: Can I apply if my annual revenue is over $2.5 million? Can I get more than $10,000?

• At this time, the program is only open to those businesses with annual revenue at or below $2.5 million and is capped at $10,000 per business per month. Businesses with revenue over $2.5 million are encouraged to reach out to the U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov) if they need financial assistance. Any changes to the program will be posted to the Division of Small Business Coronavirus website: delbiz.com/coronavirus

Q: Why do you need all the financial data and business license information? 

• H.E.L.P. offers loans to eligible applicants. While the process is much simpler than traditional underwriting, this data is needed to verify eligibility for the program.

Q: What if my business is not eligible for H.E.L.P.?

• Applications received for ineligible businesses will not be processed. The SBA is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million regardless of industry. More information is available at sba.gov/disaster. If any additions or changes are made to H.E.L.P., the updates will be shared at delbiz.com/coronavirus.

Additional resources for business can be found here.

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or 711 for people who are hearing impaired from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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