March 12, 2020
A message from the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC:
The spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to create uncertainty and concern both globally and here in our community. As it stands, there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Champaign County. For more information about COVID-19 and preparedness resources, please visit the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District on Facebook. The CUPHD hotline is 217-239-7877. You can also email questions to CUPHD at coronavirus@c-uphd.org.
SBDC Events
For the health and safety of our staff and clients, effective immediately, we have decided to suspend all in-person events through Friday, April 10 and move them into webinar or phone format. Please visit our Events Calendar for more information. If you have already signed up for a seminar or workshop, you’ll receive instructions on how to participate via webinar or phone. See an event you’d like to participate in? You can RSVP through our Events Calendar.
To clarify: our events – through Friday, April 10 – will still be held, but not in person. Instead, they’ll move to a webinar or phone format. Details about events after Friday, April 10 will be shared as soon as information is available. The most up-to-date information can always be found on our Events Calendar.
SBDC Office + Client Meetings
Our office remains open, with access to our advisors, but we, effective immediately, are moving in-person client meetings to webinar (Zoom) or phone through Friday, April 10. If you have a meeting scheduled with Don Elmore or Mariel Huasanga, a member of our team will be reaching out shortly to confirm the meeting, including information on how to connect via Zoom or phone.
Our normal office hours remain: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
To clarify: our office is open, not closed – and we’re still scheduling new meetings. However, all of these meetings must be scheduled in advance and will be webinar or phone format only (no walk-in appointments allowed) through Friday, April 10. Details about meetings after Friday, April 10 will be shared as soon as information is available. Someone from our office will be in contact with you to confirm details.
SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Learn more: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-provide-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted-coronavirus-covid-19
Community Information + Resource Links
- COVID-19 Resources for Businesses and Employers via the CDC can be found here.
- Please continue to use caution and follow guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC before leaving home.
- Find information from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign here.
- Find information from Parkland College here.
- Visit Champaign County has created a website tracking community event cancellations, postponements and modifications, which can be found here.
To schedule an appointment with the SBDC, register on the website at https://www.cusbdc.org/ (click the red ‘Become a Client’ button), email info@cusbdc.org, call 217-378-8535, or contact:
- Don Elmore, SBDC Director: don@cusbdc.org
- Mariel Huasanga, SBDC International Trade Center Director: mariel@cusbdc.org
Connect with the SBDC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce, and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation; with additional support provided by EDC of Decatur and Macon County and the Midwest Inland Port.
Thank you for understanding. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions or concerns.
Carly
Carly McCrory-McKay
Executive Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100 – Champaign, Illinois 61820
Office: 217-359-6261 – Cell: 217-649-2586