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Support to Help Businesses Navigate Available Resources and Apply for Loans

In response to COVID-19, Cuyahoga County, in partnership with the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) and other partners, has launched a Small Business Resource Center. The Small Business Resource Call Center and Website will provide business technical assistance and information about financial resources to assist small businesses in our community and help them navigate resources during these economically difficult times.

“I am truly devastated by the impact the coronavirus is having on our residents and local businesses,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “We want to help local businesses understand the resources and assistance available to them. This Call Center will help our businesses navigate to the resources they so desperately need.”

The Small Business Resource Center website is cuyahogacounty.us/helpforbusiness.

The Small Business Resource Center Call Center can be accessed from Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at 216-452–9714. Businesses can access live agents who will help them with the following services:

• Assistance with applying for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for loans up to $2 Million
• Business Consulting and General Assistance
• Information about Financial Assistance and Services
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits Application Assistance to navigate the system
• Strategies for Retaining and Retraining Employees

Call Center agents will first direct business owners, when appropriate, to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Relief Program to help them navigate the application process for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  SBA is also offering other benefits such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Emergency Advance Grants. For detailed information on SBA programs for the coronavirus, visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus.

“At ECDI we know small businesses are the backbone to our economy. Today, Ohio’s small business community faces a once in a generation existential crisis as a result of the COVID-19 National Disaster. ECDI is committed to taking bold action to help Ohio small businesses through a multi-phase response that will utilize multiple tools to address the challenges of small businesses as we move forward through the crisis,” said Inna Kinney, ECDI Founder & CEO.

“Through this critical partnership with Cuyahoga County, ECDI is able to convene all partners to help businesses navigate the federal and local resources, and allow ECDI staff to provide ongoing technical assistance and access to capital through ECDI’s Recovery Loan product. ECDI is grateful for the leadership and partnership of County Executive Armond Budish and the entire Cuyahoga County Development team.”

Contact the Small Business Resource Call Center or visit the County’s Coronavirus Business Resources website for business support today.