Federal Agencies Encourage Banks, Savings Associations and Credit Unions to Offer Responsible Small-Dollar Loans to Consumers and Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
Five federal financial regulatory agencies today issued a joint statement encouraging banks, savings associations, and credit unions to offer responsible small-dollar loans to consumers and small businesses in response to COVID-19. The statement of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration,…
EDA: $2.5 Million Invested to Establish New Business Incubator in Valdosta, GA Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the Valdosta and Lowndes Chamber of Commerce in Valdosta, Georgia to fund the construction of a new business incubator. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will…
SBA: Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA Disaster Loans Implemented Through End of 2020
Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment. “The SBA is looking at every option…
SBA: Updated Criteria on States for Requesting Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Today, as part of the Trump Administration’s aggressive, whole-of-government efforts to combat the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and minimize economic disruption to the nation’s 30 million small businesses, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza issued revised criteria for states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The relaxed criteria will have two immediate…
EDA: $1.5 Million Invested to Boost Entrepreneurial Development Efforts in Disaster-Impacted Fargo, ND
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Research & Technology Park in Fargo, North Dakota, to advance entrepreneurial development efforts. The EDA grant will help NDSU purchase equipment for a newly retrofitted makerspace that…
Federal Banking Agencies Provide Banks Additional Flexibility to Support Households and Businesses
The federal bank regulatory agencies today announced two actions to support the U.S. economy and allow banks to continue lending to households and businesses. They are: A statement encouraging banks to use their resources to support households and businesses; and A technical change to phase in, as intended, the automatic distribution restrictions gradually if a…
SBA: Disaster Assistance Loans Available for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation: “The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest…
EDA: $500,000 Invested to Establish Business Revolving Loan Fund to Serve Twelve County, Disaster-Impacted Region in South Dakota
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG) in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to establish a new Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to support small businesses with recovering and rebuilding following a natural disaster. The EDA project, of which a portion is located in…
SBA: Services Expanded for Women Entrepreneurs in West Virginia
Applications accepted through March 23, 2020 The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting grant applications for a new Women’s Business Center in West Virginia. This expansion of SBA services is part of the agency’s priority to open more doors for women entrepreneurs and increase access to resources in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. “This new grant opportunity…
SBA: Veterans Small Business Advisory Committees to Host Public Meetings on March 4 and 5
The U.S. Small Business Administration’sInteragency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development and Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs will hold public meetings on March 4 and 5 respectively at SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meetings will also be accessible via teleconference and webinar. Fran Perez-Wilhite is the newly appointed ACVBA chairwoman. She was chosen…