COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID-19 Information and Resources
COVID-19 Residential Resources

New Albany CARES Small Business Grant Program

The City of New Albany has created the New Albany CARES Small Business Grant Program with $150,000 from Federal CARES Act funds received by the City to be distributed as grants to New Albany small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City has designated the New Albany Chamber of Commerce to convene a grant review committee to oversee the grant application, review, and selection process. Head here to apply.

Ohio Small Business Relief

Governor Mike DeWine has designated $125 million in funding from the federal CARES Act to provide $10,000 in Small Business Relief Grants to businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses must have no more than 25 employees and earn 90% or more of their annual revenue from activities in Ohio. Applications are available November 2 for grants of $10,000 to reimburse businesses for revenue losses or unplanned costs caused by COVID-19. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. LEARN MORE

Ohio Bar and Restaurant Assistance

The Governor also established the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund totaling $38.7 million to offer Ohio’s on-premise liquor permit holders $2,500 assistance payments in response to the financial difficulties resulting from the pandemic. Local businesses can apply for the funds made available through the CARES Act online starting November 2. Applications are on a first-come, first-serve basis. LEARN MORE

Face Masks 

Responsible RestartOhio Guidance

The State of Ohio has established Responsible RestartOhio to provide guidance on how businesses can reopen safely and responsibly. For a variety of resources addressing everything from the latest public health orders to responsible protocols for all businesses click here. For industry-specific mandatory and recommended best practices see below. 

Manufacturing, Distribution & Construction (PDF)

General Office Environments (PDF)

Consumer, Retail & Service (PDF)

Restaurants, Bars, Banquet, Catering (PDF)

Hair Salons, Nail Salons, Day Spas, Barbershops, Etc. 

Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Cosmetic Therapy (PDF)

Health Care & Hospitals (PDF)

Health Care Procedures & Hospitals COVID-19 Checklist (PDF)

COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Learn what Ohio’s public health orders mean for you, your business and your employees. The Ohio Department of Health site also provides valuable resources to assist with dispute resolution, workers who are exposed to COVID-19 but remain asymptomatic, cloth masks and face coverings in the workplace and more. Learn more.

City staff put together this FAQ to assist New Albany businesses in better understanding their responsibilities with facial coverings as they relate to the city emergency declaration.

Office of Small Business Relief

The Ohio Development Services Agency’s Small Business Relief Office is designed to identify and provide direct relief to Ohio’s nearly 950,000 small businesses during the public health crisis. Their site offers an extensive list of assistance options, guidance on reopening and new requirements. Learn more.  

Preparing to Reopen Fact Sheet (PDF)

Responsible Protocols for Getting Ohio Back to Work (PDF)

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has developed a Coronavirus and Unemployment Benefits Resource Hub to provide information on unemployment benefits for employers and employees. Learn more.

ODJFS Job and Employee Search Portal

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ COVID-19 job search site provides a portal where companies seeking to hire employees can post jobs and employees seeking work can find a job. Learn more.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Premium Deferments

Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has prepared an FAQ to provide information to employers and employees about the coronavirus’ impact on BWC operations. Learn more. 

​Ohio Department of Insurance Premium Deferral

The Ohio Department of Insurance has issued a bulletin requiring insurers to maintain coverage for workers whose hours have been cut, deferring insurance payments and providing an open enrollment period for unemployed workers to access a policy on the federal health care marketplace. Learn more.

Ohio Department of Transportation Blanket Permit for Haulers

The ODOT has approved a special blanket permit for haulers carrying heavy or oversized loads of food, non-alcoholic beverages, medical supplies, cleaning products and other household goods. Learn more.

SharedWork Ohio

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ SharedWork Ohio is an alternative to layoffs that allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain their staff during times of reduced business activity. Learn more.

Ohio Liquor Buyback Program

The one-time Liquor Rebate Program helps Ohio bars and restaurants offset some reopening expenses. Eligible permit holders can receive a $500 rebate to purchase high proof spirituous liquor at their assigned wholesale Contract Liquor Agency. Learn more.

Economic and Community Development Institute

ECDI loans that are designated as an SBA Microloan or SBA Community Advantage Loan will be paid for six months, from April to September 2020 by the SBA, as part of the CARES Act. You are not responsible for payments until October 2020. Learn more.

JobsOhio 

JobsOhio, a private nonprofit corporation, developed to drive job creation and capital investment in the state, offers a website with a variety of information, including protocols and guidelines for reopening as well as lists of PPE manufacturers, distributors and suppliers. Learn more.

JobsOhio PPE Safety Toolkits

The New Albany Community Development Department is distributing PPE Safety Toolkits provided by JobsOhio to small businesses in the community to ensure that small businesses are equipped to stay protected and operate safely within the State’s reopening guidelines. The kits include 100 3-ply masks, 10 KN-95 masks and a 24-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. Businesses with under 100 employees are eligible to receive the toolkits. The New Albany Community Development Department will distribute kits locally.

Manufacturers’ Association

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association has created a web page to share content relevant to challenges that companies are facing during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more.

Ohio Chamber of Commerce 

The chamber has created a central web hub for Ohio business owners to review current restrictions, available resources to curb the virus’ impact on business and pending legislation to provide additional relief to businesses. Learn more.

Ohio Chamber Businesses Helping

Provides lists and links to Ohio businesses that have pivoted in response to the coronavirus crisis to provide products that range from COVID-19 virus tests to hand sanitizer as well as utilities temporarily suspending service disconnections, offering free internet access and more. Learn more.

PPE Produced by Ohio Manufacturers 

The Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 has launched the Ohio Emergency PPE Makers’ Exchange to enable businesses to purchase personal protective gear and supplies made by Ohioans including masks, sanitizer, partition shields, gloves, floor decals and more. Learn more.

Ohio Bankers’ League

A number of banks throughout New Albany and Ohio have stepped up to provide customer assistance programs that include deferring loan payments, halting vehicle repossessions and more. Learn more.

New Albany COVID-19 Task Force

The New Albany COVID-19 Task Force is a collaborative effort between the City of New Albany, New Albany-Plain Local Schools and Plain Township to help keep our community safe and address local needs during the pandemic. Members of the New Albany COVID-19 Task Force would like to thank the New Albany community for doing its part to flatten the curve and to remind us that we must continue to do our part to stop the spread of the virus. View the task force’s latest video. 

New Albany City Meetings Online Streaming

New Albany residents interested in streaming public meetings of our City Council or Boards and Commissions can do so online at this time. Please click here to find information for viewing upcoming meetings.

New Albany Police

The police lobby is open to the public 24/7. New Albany police has temporarily ceased providing civilian fingerprinting service to the community. This does not impact any fingerprinting needed for law enforcement purposes or employment. Police will also restrict activities that are not mission critical, including group tours, speaking engagements and female self-defense classes. 

Community Development Service Changes

The Community Development Department has modified certain procedures to enable active residential and commercial construction projects to continue during the pandemic. Meetings are being held via video conferencing unless in-person meetings are deemed necessary. Village Hall is open for permit drop off/pick up. Permits are being accepted from 8 am to 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays.

Community Development Permitting Changes

Temporary Outdoor Seating Expansion

The department has established a temporary permitting process to enable restaurants to expand patios, porches and other outdoor seating areas  to promote social distancing whiling supporting local businesses during the COVID-19 health pandemic. Learn more (PDF).

Temporary Signage Permit

The department is offering opportunities for city businesses to add additional signage to promote their businesses during the pandemic. The temporary signage will cease immediately upon termination of the state’s Responsible restart Ohio Sector Specific Operating requirements or otherwise mandated by the City Manager. Learn more (PDF).

Innovate New Albany

Innovate New Albany, the city’s incubator for technology start-ups and small businesses, continues to provide cutting edge programming and support services for entrepreneurs and all business people remotely through LIVESTREAM. Learn more.

New Albany Chamber

The New Albany Chamber of Commerce’s COVID-19 resource page provides a comprehensive list of local, state and federal programs, services and resources available to support individuals, families and businesses during the pandemic. Learn more.

Support Local Restaurants

Our restaurants, cafes and coffee shops have been hard hit by the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders. Many were forced to close their doors or limit services. As they try to get back on their feet they need our support. Learn more.

Small Business Grants

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

The Facebook Data Center, in partnership with the New Albany Chamber, community has created a COVID Relief Fund with a donation of $150,000 to provide one-time grants to small businesses with less than 50 employees. The company has made hundreds of millions in grants across the country. Learn more.

Google Small Business Resources

Google has gathered a variety of resources businesses need to navigate through the challenges of COVID-19 with advice on keeping customers informed, running businesses remotely, free digital skills training and free Google video meetings. Google has also committed $800+ million to support small businesses. Learn more.

Franklin County

The county’s economic development site lists local, state and federal public health resources and business resources, including the county’s Quick Strike Fund for minority and women-owned small businesses and the unemployed. Learn more.

Licking County

Licking County Works, in conjunction with Licking County and Grow Licking County offers links to sites with information to help employers and employees navigate the challenging times. Learn more.

Rev1 Startup Resources

Rev1, a central Ohio startup resource, offers help for startups navigating the uncharted waters of doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s information hub addresses a variety of startup issues including capital, talent, market, business and product. Learn more.

One Columbus

The Columbus region’s economic development organization has compiled a list of programs and resources available to help employers respond to the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more.

COTA, Via Offer On-Demand

A new full-time, on-demand transit service, COTA//Plus Bus On-Demand, is the first of its kind in the country and serves as a model for other cities seeking to update public transit services in response to COVID-19. The service is available in northeast Columbus, New Albany and Gahanna, where riders formerly relied on fixed route lines – 25, 35 and 45 – that were suspended in May due to COVID-19. To ensure social distancing, COTA On-Demand transit vehicles are limited to 10 customers. READ MORE

COTA Service Adjustments

The Central Ohio Transit Authority is working to protect riders and employees while meeting mobility demands. In addition to daily sanitizations, COTA has temporarily suspended fares have been suspended, adjusted services and is requiring masks for customers. It is also offering COTA Plus, an on-demand micro transit service, to replace the fixed routes suspended during  the pandemic.

Utilities Addressing Covid-19

Utilities, including AT&T, Columbia Gas of Ohio, AEP Ohio, Spectrum and Charter Communications, have established policies to keep customers connected to gas and electric services as well as offering free broadband access during the pandemic.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program provides U.S. Small Business Administration loans to small businesses as an incentive to keep their workers employed. The loans are forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Learn more.

​SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan is a low-interest, fixed-rate loan to provide working capital for small businesses for operational costs such as rent, utilities and payroll based on lost revenue directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance

These grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Business owners can access the grants by applying for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and requesting an advance. Learn more.

SBA Debt Relief Program

The SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current 7(a), 504 and microloans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and microloans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. Learn more.

Export-Import Bank

The EXIM is offering relief measures, including working capital guarantee program and short term insurance and medium term insurance to banks, exporters, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Learn more. 

Federal Employee Retention Tax Credit

The CARES Act created a new employee retention tax credit for private employers and nonprofits that are closed, partially closed or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Learn more.

Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program
The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program offering 4-year loans to companies employing up to 10,000 workers or with revenues of less than $2.5 billion that were in good financial standing before the crisis. Principal and interest payments are deferred for one year. Learn more.

Internal Revenue Service Tax Deadline 

Deadlines for filing taxes and any payments of federal income tax have been delayed until July 15th, 2020. The Internal Revenue Service has created a special section to assist taxpayers and businesses affected by the coronavirus. Learn more.

U.S. Department of Labor COVID-19 Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has resources to help workers and employers respond to the COVID-19 virus. Guidance addresses  workplace safety, wages, hours and leave, unemployment benefits and more. Learn more. 

Small Business Development Centers

The Small Business Development Centers provides a fact sheet to explain how business interruption insurance works, what is covered, including profits, fixed costs, extra expenses, wages and more. Learn more.

Franklin County Public Health

Franklin County Public Health’s website includes guidance on Responsible RestartOhio, the latest statistics on coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the county and a Stay Safe Ohio Order Complaint Form to notify the county about organizations that are not complying with orders. Learn more.

Ohio Department of Health

This comprehensive site provides up to date information for employers and employees ranging from Responsible RestartOhio guidance and testing sites to the latest health orders. Can’t find the answer you need? Call the hotline at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-4275634). Learn more.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC’s webpage for businesses includes the latest guidance for business reopenings, a workplace decision making tool, worker safety and support resources, cleaning and disinfecting, etc. Learn more.