espanol

COVID-19 Resources

In these uncertain times, our thoughts are with all business owners and their employees, who make up the heart and soul of our local communities and downtowns. This portal is to serve as a guide to resources and Small Business Resource Team representatives will continue to update this page regularly as new information becomes available. 

​

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Governor Pete Ricketts has announced a series of grant opportunities to provide assistance to businesses in Nebraska. As part of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the State of Nebraska received $1.084 billion in federal assistance to address coronavirus-related needs across the state. 

​

Additionally, the Governor announced targeted grant programs to support businesses in industries particularly hard-hit due to the pandemic.  These include direct-payment grants for the following categories of business:

 

• Restaurants and Bars - $20 million

• Cosmetic, Massage, and Body Art Services - $22 million

• Event Centers and Sports Arenas - $20 million

• Hotels and Convention Centers - $34 million

• Ethanol Producers - $15 million

• Zoos - $6.05 million

• Movie Theaters - $3.2 million

 

https://coronavirus.nebraska.gov/Programs&Grants

​

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest and forgivable federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Small Business Guide to the CARES Act

​

Do you just need some quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time? The resource partners listed below are here to help and well informed on the status of SBA programs. 

​

Norfolk Area SBA Resource Partners

Center for Rural Affairs 

Lori Schrader, loris@cfra.org

(402) 870-7070

​

Veronica Reyes Spindola, veronicas@cfra.org

(402) 942-1113

 

Nebraska Business Development Center

Loren Kucera, Lokucer1@wsc.edu

(402) 375-7575

​

Juan Sandoval, juansandoval@unomaha.edu

(402) 990-0151

​

Nebraska Enterprise Fund

Raquel Romero, raquelr@nebbiz.org

(402) 685-5550 Ext. 203

​

Nebraska Business Development Center 

Business Resiliency Resources

NBDC seeks to provide you the information you need right now to support you and your business. These Business Resiliency Resources have been reviewed by our consultants to assure that these resources may be helpful to you during this difficult time. 

​

Nebraska Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber’s mission is to promote and protect all aspects of Nebraska’s free enterprise system. Generally speaking, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry follows issues and legislation addressing five key areas:

• Taxes

• Job Creation

• Labor Law

• Economic Development

• Workforce

https://www.nechamber.com/

​

​

Nebraska Department of Labor

This will be beneficial as a resource for employers to assist employees that have reduced hours and are losing compensation due to the impact on the business from the Coronavirus. This also has links to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as well.​ COVID-19 Resources and Information

 

Employer Guide to Mass Claim Filing (Business Closure)

Employer Guide to Mass Claim Filing (Temporary Closure)

​

Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Any workers in a non-paid status or working reduced hours due to COVID-19 may file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. Unemployment claims in Nebraska are filed online at NEworks.nebraska.gov. 

​

Short-Time Compensation (STC)

In addition to regular unemployment insurance benefits, employers also have the option of utilizing Short-Time Compensation (STC). The Short-Time Compensation program helps prevent layoffs by allowing employers to
uniformly reduce affected employees’ hours by 10 to 60 percent while permitting the employees to receive a prorated unemployment benefit. For more information, see the information on this page:
https://dol.nebraska.gov/STC.

​

Employer Guide to Short-time Compensation

Employer Guide to Short-time Compensation - Weekly Certification

​

Nebraska Public Power District

NPPD understands that many of us are adjusting to changes in work schedule, school schedules and navigating so many other impacts, but we remain committed to being "Always There When You Need Us". 

 

Scam Information

We take very seriously any efforts to defraud our customers, especially using our company's good customer relationships and reputation. If you think you are being targeted, keep the following in mind.

• NPPD does not go door-to-door demanding payment.

• The scammer's caller identification may be falsified so it appears to originate from our utility company, a practice known as 'spoofing.'

• NPPD does not call to ask customers for a credit card number or demand payment with a pre-paid card. Any customer receiving such a call should not attempt to make payment over the phone using a credit or debit card.

• Write down the call back number or consider asking where the caller is located.

• If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from NPPD and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, HANG UP and call our Customer Contact Center at 1-877-ASK-NPPD (275-6773) to check the status of your account.

• If you receive a scam call, NPPD's Corporate Security Department may contact you for further information. If you are uncomfortable upon receiving the call, simply hang up and call 1-877-ASK-NPPD (275-6773) and we will put in touch with Corporate Security.

• Contact law enforcement.

• Contact the Nebraska Attorney General at (402) 471-2682.

• Register all personal or professional phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222.

​

Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District

In 1994 a business revolving loan program was incorporated into the District using Economic Development Administration grant funds and Community Development Block Grant funds. These resources enable us to provide the funds needed to fill financial gaps and aid business and industry in expansion and the creation of new job opportunities. We specialize in assisting with business recruitment, retention and expansion meetings. We also coordinate entrepreneurial training programs and financial packaging.

​

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

Nebraska Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is providing free, confidential assistance to Nebraska businesses. Our services include:

• DUNS Number Request

• System for Award Management (SAM) Registrations

• FEMA Registration

• Disaster-related Contracting Opportunities

 

Wish to meet with a consultant?

Meghann Buresh, PTAC Consultant 

University of Nebraska - Omaha | Nebraska Business Development Center

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Norfolk Area Chamber | 609 W Norfolk Ave | Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 940-2278

​

Professional & Organizational Development 

Prepare your company to resume business after facing a natural, technological or other disruptive event by enrolling in Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity certificate.

Topics Covered:

• Disaster impact analyses

• Hazard and risk management

• Public and private coordination during events

• Agency cooperation and communication

• Continuity and recovery plans

• Fiscal sustainability

 

For more information, see Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity.

If you would like customized Emergency Preparedness training that applies to your business needs & calendar, contact Kim Harter at kkharter@unomaha.edu.

​

SCORE

SCORE COVID-19 Toolkits - SCORE HQ has made toolkits available on the Support Center of resources to support your clients and volunteers. These toolkits will continue to be updated as new resources are created. They will be linked to the bottom of each weekly email. All SCORE COVID-19 Resources can be viewed here.

​

Small Business Development Center

Nebraska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is here to help businesses who have been affected by recent disasters in Nebraska. The SBDC is using all available local, state and federal resources to help businesses recover and will work closely with communities impacted by these disasters. Our services include:

• Disaster Recovery Checklist

• Disaster Recovery Planning Guide

• Financial Record Recovery

• Cash Flow Statements

• Loan Application Assistance with Federal Relief Funds

​

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting small businesses in a variety of ways. From loss of business to remote work, things are changing fast during the COVID-19 outbreak and businesses are being forced to adapt. CO— is working to bring you the best resources and information to help you navigate this challenging time.

​

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Rural Development

Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program

This program bolsters the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for
rural businesses. 

​

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

​