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Tenleytown ReOpens: Business Resources

Tenleytown Main Street is here to help our small and local businesses during this incredible challenging time. Below find reopening guidance, available financial assistance, and other resources for your business. We also encourage you to subscribe to the Tenleytown Business Brief to receive regular updates from Tenleytown Main Street with the latest information on available funding, policy changes impacting businesses, operational guidance, and other business news.

Need additional information or help accessing financial and technical assistance? Contact us for a one-on-one consultation.

 

Resources For Small and Local Business Owners

 

Grants, Loans, & Other Financial Assistance

US Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus Relief Options
In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), EIDL Loan Advance, bridge loans, and debt relief.

The HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
Main Street America and The Hartford have partnered to offer grants up to $15,000 for brick-and-mortar small businesses. Grants are intended to support businesses in responding and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of grants awarded will be reserved for minority, woman, veteran, disabled, and/or LGBTQ-owned businesses. Click here for more information. Applications are now closed. A second round of grant applications will open October 22.

Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program
The DC Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program provides up to $6,000 for restaurants to prepare their outdoor dining areas for cold weather. The program provides funding for tents, heaters, propane, lighting, furniture, advertising and marketing, and other outdoor space operational costs. Click here to apply. Grant applications will be reviewed and funds disbursed on a rolling basis starting October 1, 2020.

DC Small Business Resiliency Fund
The DC Small Business Resiliency Fund will provide $10,000 grants for: business pivots; continuity plans; COVID-19 related marketing expenses; purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and/or disinfection products; and infrastructure development, including e-commerce platforms, online shops, and digital retail experiences to strengthen brick-and-mortar businesses. Brick-and-mortar businesses located in Washington, DC with 50 or fewer employees are eligible to apply. Approximately 300 grants will be awarded. Click here to apply. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.

 

Reopening Resources

District of Columbia Resources
Latest information from the DC government, including financial assistance programs and resources for employers and workers.

Phase One Re-Opening in DC
Includes the mayor’s re-opening order and sector specific health guidance.

Phase Two Re-Opening in DC
Includes the mayor’s re-opening order and sector specific health guidance.

Reimaging Outdoor Space: Restaurants and Retail
This guide developed by the District of Columbia provides information on expanded and new outdoor seating, including requirements for sidewalk cafes, parklets, and streateries.

Streatery Registration Form
Restaurants seeking to expand or add outdoor seating must complete this form. Streateries can include sidewalk cafes, parklets, or a designated food and retail zone.

Streatery Winter Ready Outdoor Dining Guide
Includes information on tent and portable heater permit and safety guidelines.

TMS Health & Cleaning Starter Kits
Tenleytown Main Street has a limited supply of Health & Cleaning Starter Kits for Phase 1 and Phase 2 small businesses located within the boundaries of Tenleytown Main Street. These kits include masks, gloves, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and bleach.

Back to Brick & Mortar: A Guidebook to Help Independent Retailers Re-Enter Storefronts Safely
Produced by &Access, a DC firm focused on supporting community-serving retail, this guide provides practical advice and easy-to-use worksheets to prepare for healthy business operations, a safe customer experience, staff training, and customer communications. Download here

Pandemic Relaunch Toolkit: Resources for Restaurants and Bars
The business experts at Streetsense have created a toolkit to help restaurants map out a plan to reopen and rebuild. Their practical guide provides tips and advice on creating financial and operational plans to reopen, weathering a potential second wave, communicating effectively with staff and customers, and diversifying business to adapt to the new normal. Download here

COVID-19 Reopening Guidance: A Guide for the Restaurant Industry
The National Restaurant Association’s Reopening Guidance Task Force partnered with government, health, and industry experts to develop a set of opening and operating guidelines to help restaurants return to full operation safely. Their guide addresses food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, employee health monitoring and personal hygiene, and social distancing. Download here

 

Free & Discounted Offers for Local Business Assistance

Legal

Legal Advice from the DC Bar Pro Bono Center
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is an independent, nonprofit organization that helps small businesses and community-based nonprofits needing legal assistance. The Center is currently offering remote brief legal advice to small business owners impacted by COVID-19. You can request assistance online at: probono.center/remotesmallbizclinic. The Center will follow up with you by email to schedule a time for you to talk with a volunteer attorney for free. Consultations will last up to 45 minutes.

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is also facilitating remote legal consultations with small business owners to review their options under the CARES Act and other loan and grant programs. Consultations will last up to 1 hour.  Register for a consultation at: probono.center/covid19financialrelief.
 

Signs, Banners, & Balloons

DC Signage for Businesses
The District of Columbia has created a series of signs that businesses may use to remind customers to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Download and print signs from coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo.

“Shop Tenleytown. We’re Open!”
Balloon Zoom wants to gift a custom “Shop Tenleytown. We’re Open!” balloon to each Tenleytown Main Street business. For delivery when businesses reopen, the balloons are intended to encourage neighbors to shop Tenleytown businesses and give business owners a concrete way to show their support of other local businesses. Sign up to receive a free custom balloon here.

Signs.com Offering Free, Printable signs
Signs.com provides free, printable signs to let your customers know if you are temporarily closed, have updated hours, or have specific social distancing measures. View and print available signs at www.signs.com/coronavirus-signage/