practices and factual updates from trusted sources including: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , World Health Organization, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and others.
This page will be updated regularly with pertinent information for businesses and nonprofits. Use the links provided for the most current information.
This page will be updated regularly with pertinent information for businesses and nonprofits. Use the links provided for the most current information.
Marion's Community Recovery Task Force is is creating a companion guide to help residents navigate and understand the new guidance.
Download Here
Download Here
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. As Iowa begins to prioritize, allocate, and distribute the first doses, use the below resources to review frequently asked questions and begin preparing a plan for your business.
Linn County
- Currently in Phase 1b Tier 1 of vaccine distribution. This includes:
- Visit Linn County Public Health for a listing of the populations included in this phase.
- Vaccine is currently not available to the general public.
- If you represent an employer and would like to add your business to the COVID-19 vaccine registry, click on the image below. The form is compatible only in Chrome. Your business will be added to the registry and you will be contacted when the vaccine becomes available to your group.
- Vaccine Questions & Updates
- Click here to learn more about the vaccine, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Call 319-892-6097 for questions about COVID-19 vaccine.
- Subscribe to receive updates directly to your phone or email about COVID-19:
- Step 1: Visit https://www.linncounty.org/list.aspx
- Step 2: Scroll down to the “News Flash” section
- Step 3: Click “COVID-19 Status Update” to subscribe
The Marion Chamber is continuing to add virtual event opportunities to help members impacted by COVID-19 navigate many business topics. Visit our Calendar of Events for the latest.
Click here to view recorded videos
Click here to view recorded videos
We are all in this together, and we all have resources and expertise to share. Take a look at how Marion Chamber members can help your business.
Click here to view the list.
If you are a member interested in adding your resource please email [email protected]
Click here to view the list.
If you are a member interested in adding your resource please email [email protected]
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has provided a guide to help small businesses navigate current emergency loans. Businesses should also work with their current lenders to determine which option is best for them.
NEW Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans (December 2020 Update)
Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
NEW Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans (December 2020 Update)
Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
State
- Iowa Movie Theater Relief Fund
The Iowa Movie Theatre Relief Grant is an extension of the Iowa Small Business Relief Grant Program and will provide short-term relief to eligible movie theatres for the purpose of continuing or resuming business operations in the context of a public health emergency. This program has closed.
More Information - Iowa Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program
The Iowa Economic Development Authority's Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible residential electric, natural gas and water utility customers that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided between March 17, 2020, and October 8, 2020.
The application deadline is November 20, 2020.
More information - Iowa Business Tax Deferral
Information about the Iowa Small Business Tax Deferral program can be found at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19. The page contains details about eligibility, important dates, frequently asked questions and the application for sales tax deferral and/or withholding tax deferral. - IEDA Small Business Relief Grants
Funds have been exhausted, a new application round will not be opened. Current list of grantees. - Targeted Small Business Sole Operator Fund
All funds available through the Targeted Small Business Sole Operator program have been expended as of May 1, 2020. A full listing of awards is available here. - Iowa Workforce Development
Assistance for employees and employers affected by COVID-19 related layoffs
Federal
- CARES Act - Federal Assistance
The $2 trillion dollar Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), provides economic relief to businesses, states and municipalities and individuals affected by COVID-19. While the scope of the CARES Act is wide-ranging, this limited summary provides a high-level overview of unemployment benefits and the relief available for qualifying business concerns. - Small Business Administration Programs
In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak, including an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance of up to $10,000, SBA Express Bridge Loans and SBA Debt Relief. Learn more about the SBA funding programs available here.
Iowa Workforce Development Resources for temporary jobs and unemployment information.
- Temporary Job Opportunities If you have been impacted by COVID-19 closures, Iowa Workforce Development is keeping a running list
- Voluntary Shared Work Program The VSW program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and has been an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a decline in regular business activity.
- Unemployment Resources, assistance for employers and employees including FAQ's
- Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) - COVID-19 Iowa Business Recovery Assistance
- Small Business Administration - Guidance & Loan Resources
Human Resources
- Iowa Legal Aid Hotline - Call 1-800-332-0419 for legal support related to COVID-19.
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act - resources from MRA
- MRA Contagious Diseases & Pandemic Toolkit- inform your employees on best practices to help stop the spread of common illnesses such as the flu, as well as preparing for a pandemic
- SHRM- Numerous tools available for workplace issues related to COVIN-19
- US Chamber of Commerce- Resources & guidelines for business
- Keep communicating with your team as well. They need your leadership and certainty.
- Give employees flexibility when possible
- Be obsessive about hygiene
- Shift your sales strategy online
- Consider business interruption insurance
- Establish a remote work option and/or make changes to staffing. There are a number of great tools out there that can maximize productivity, and cloud storage like GoogleDrive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive are increasingly cost-effective.
- For meetings with large groups, consider moving online. You can still get the work done, and it may actually save you time. Zoom, GoToMeetings, Microsoft Teams are all great tools for this.
Facilities
- Important Note For Businesses With Unoccupied Buildings
Please notify the Marion Police Department if your building is unoccupied. They will add your location to their monitor list. Please send an email to [email protected] - CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Operations
- Tips for Landlord/Tenant Conversations During COVID-19
- Small Business Crisis Checklist
- Review your supply chain and analyze the potential impact and alternatives for supplies.
- Review finances, work on contingencies of how to manage finances should a business begin to slow, talk with your banker about options that you can tap into should the need arise.
- Talk with your business insurance provider as well.
- If the business does slow, document your losses. If the COVID-19 situation escalates, disaster declarations could be made that trigger the availability of federal economic injury assistance for small businesses. View guidance and information from the Small Business Administration.
- Visit the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) website here for information on how to learn more about protecting your business, managing operations, and planning for supply chain disruptions.
- Restaurant Resources from National Restaurant Association
Customers
- Keep communicating with your customers and stay active on social media. Let your customers know that you are open for business or remind them how you can help. Let them know what you are doing to protect their health as well.
- If you are in retail or service or another public-facing business, what can you do to protect both your customer base and your employees? Leverage technology and easy pick-up or delivery, for example.
Our small businesses need us more than ever. Our online directory is great place to start.
- Take The Marion Pledge
- Shop Where I Live - many local businesses have an online store. You can help with click of a button.
- Buy Gift cards
- If you are doing business with a local provider and your needs have changed, do your best to postpone the work and not cancel.
Social Media
- Marion Delivery, Carry-out & Curbside - a Facebook group for restaurants, retail, and services to communicate how they are serving under operating constraints. Followed by 1000's of locals keeping up to date.
- Like and share posts from businesses you follow