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March 31, 2020

#InThisTogether

Updates from Adams Morgan

For the latest from the District of Columbia government,

refer to https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ 

Resources specifically for small businesses can be found at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-business

Click Here to see previous updates in our newsletter archive


Restaurants are getting creative in order to attract crucial takeout business

Although takeout and delivery options are still being offered , restaurants in Adams Morgan and throughout The District continue to struggle during the COVID-19 crisis. The Adams Morgan Partnership would like to share a few ideas with you on what the restaurant industry is doing in order to stay nimble while generating much-needed income.

CSA: Not only are some local restaurants still providing takeout and delivery, but they are also offering to help keep home kitchens stocked for cooking, too. Many DC restaurants have launched a CSA program with partner-purveyors, taking orders that include produce, meat, eggs, milk, and more. As an added bonus for a few dollars extra, restaurants are offering “recipe cards” so that people have ideas on what the make at home with these products. Some places are even offering cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and other household goods for a reduced price if customers order off the menu.

FAMILY MEALS & PRIX FIXE DINNERS: Some restaurants are limiting menu options by offering fewer items in larger quantities (serving around 3-4 people). This can also be advertised as a “Dinner Club”. People place their orders by a certain time each day – then can be offered for pickup or delivery.

AT-HOME COCKTAIL KITS: Now that DC restaurants are able to offer alcohol as part of their pickup and delivery offerings, some restaurants are able to charge more – while providing ingredients and recipes for “cocktail kits”. This is perfect for virtual happy hours, at-home date nights, or recreating your favorite restaurant signature cocktail.

LIVE COOKING SHOWS: This is a new outlet for staying connected with your customers: a live cooking show. This helps viewers make use of pantry staples.

VIRTUAL TIP JARS & GO FUND ME ACCOUNTS: Setup a Virtual Tip Jar or GoFundMe account to help support your staff during this difficult time. Share on your social media outlets, in your newsletter, and on your website.

20% GRATUITY ADDED TO ALL BILLS: Some restaurants are adding an automatic 20% gratuity to all takeout and delivery orders (it is important to make customers aware of this).

FUNDRAISERS/AUCTIONS: Restaurants are in need of cash – therefore, they are hosting fundraisers such as this example where they can get paid now and deliver services later. This also helps generate larger amounts of money in addition to takeout and delivery offerings.


Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Includes Two Small Business Loan Programs: Which to Choose?

From the Greenspoon Marder law firm:

The Paycheck Protection Program Versus the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program of the CARES Act


On Friday, March 28, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the single largest economic relief package in U.S. history at $2.2 trillion or about 10% of GDP.

There are two loan programs in CARES to benefit small businesses, generally defined as 500 or fewer employees. Because the two loan programs overlap somewhat there may be some confusion on whether to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan ($10 billion), the Paycheck Protection Program ($350 billion), or maybe both.

Which loan program is best for you, will depend on the facts of your particular situation thus, reviewing a more robust comparison of the two loan programs is advised before making a decision.

Click here for the full article including Key Differences Between the EIDL and PPP.


Webinar: Information Session on SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan

NOTE: If you are unable to participate but have questions you would like answered, please send your questions to Kristen Barden by 5pm on Wednesday .

CNHED is convening a timely information session with Antonio Doss, the District Director, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration and his team at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a presentation about the agency’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program . In response to COVID-19, the SBA is providing targeted, low-interest loans of up to $2M to District-based small businesses and nonprofits severely impacted by this public health crisis.

This webinar session will provide an overview about the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program . Antonia Doss and his team will cover the following areas:

  • Application process
  • Eligibility
  • Required documentation
  • Resource partners to assist with your application

Thursday, April 2, 2020

11:00am - 12:00pm

REGISTER HERE



Additional info on SBA Loans from the Treasury Department

  1. Treasury's CARES Act info (scroll down to Assistance for Small Businesses)
  2. Overview of PPP Loans
  3. Info for Lenders
  4. Info for Borrowers
  5. Application : PPP loan applications will be processed through 7(a) commercial lenders and credit unions so likely to be months long process.

Guidance is to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loan now and then blend it with PPP down the road. In any case, the $10K "loan advance" for eligible EIDL applicants will be "forgiven" for all verified applicants. Although implication is that the $10K will be deposited within 3 days of application, more likely to be 1-2 weeks after application submitted.


Additional SBA Loan info

 from RAMW President and CEO Kathy Hollinger

Applying for loans through SBA

We have received NEW GUIDANCE today from the Small Business Administration that you ARE able to apply for both a PPP loan and an EIDL, however they cannot be used for the same purpose. For example, you cannot use an EIDL loan to cover payroll during the same time period your PPP loan covers payroll. The different loan applications should identify different uses for the loan in order to increase chances of being granted multiple loans.

If you already applied for an SBA loan through DC, VA, or MD, many of you may have received an email last night informing you that, because the CARES Act was passed, you need to apply again to be able to receive the one-time $10,000 advance that was included in the Act.

This Advance may be available even if your previous EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven. SBA notified applicants that If you wish to apply for the $10,000 Advance on your EIDL, you must submit a new application by visiting www.SBA.gov/Disaster .

The SBA has issued a helpful “User’s Guide” to applying for CARES Act loans. Click here to view . The National Restaurant Association has also created a new FAQ document on the CARES Act. Click here to review .


Temporary Pick-up/Drop-off zones in Adams Morgan

In an effort to help food & beverage businesses, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has established new rules allowing for temporary Pick-up/Drop-off (PUDO) zones to be established in business districts. Working with our businesses, we've established four locations so far, and have applications for more pending. The PUDO zones are for customers picking up orders as well as for food delivery services. The PUDO zones are limited to one per block face and must replace legal parking spaces.

Currently, the temporary PUDO zones in Adams Morgan are:

  • 1817 Columbia Rd., NW
  • 2434 18th St., NW
  • 2439 18th St., NW
  • 2311 18th St., NW

If you are interested in a temporary PUDO zone at your restaurant, please contact Brian Barrie for more info. Only BIDs and Main Street groups are being allowed to apply for the zones at this time.


Updates from the US Chamber of Commerce on the CARES ACT

Federal Unemployment Programs:

  • Extend unemployment insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month enhancement of benefits
  • Unemployment compensation is available for those not eligible for regular UI, including those who may have exhausted benefits.
  • An individual must provide certification that he or she is able and available to work, but is unemployed or underemployed due to:
  1. Coronavirus diagnosis or presentation of symptoms and seeking medical attention
  2. A household member with coronavirus diagnosis.
  3. Caring for a family member who has been diagnosed.
  4. School or daycare closures and the individual is the primary child caregiver.
  5. Workplace lock-down.
  6. Advise from a health care provider to self-quarantine.
  7. The individual was about to start a job that is no longer available because of coronavirus.
  8. The individual is now the breadwinner of a household because someone has died from coronavirus.
  9. The individual had to quit because of a circumstance resulting from coronavirus. The individual’s place of work is closed because of coronavirus.
  • These provisions do not apply to an individual who can telework with pay.
  • These provisions do not cover someone getting paid sick or paid family leave.
  • The unemployment provisions run from January 27 to December 31, 2020.
  • Receipt of assistance under the unemployment provisions shall not exceed 39 weeks unless otherwise extended.
  • No one week waiting period.
  • The federal government will pick up 100% of the cost.
  • Upon agreement between a state, an additional $600 per worker per week unemployment compensation payment is available.
  • This compensation is 100% covered by the federal government.
  • The additional payment sunsets on July 31.
  • The federal government will pick up the cost for any states that waive the one-week waiting period. This sunsets on December 31, 2020.

Click here for a comprehensive analysis of the full act from the US Chamber of Commerce.


DC Chamber Of Commerce member Soul Tree, LLC has Covid-19 critical supplies available

Soul Tree, LLC has the following items that can be delivered promptly. The available supplies are as follows:

  • N95 Face Masks
  • Isolation Goggles
  • Hand sanitizer 10oz.
  • Paper face masks
  • Face shields
  • Hand sanitizer 2 oz. packs of 3
  • COVID-19 individually packaged safety kits
  • One piece protective suits

The sanitizers and individually packaged safety kits can be custom branded upon request. Soul Tree, LLC has the ability to produce six (6) million of each item every 10 days. In addition, Soul Tree, LLC has an internal delivery system and does not rely on outside shipping companies for delivery.

Feel free to call or email Marni Barron, President & CEO, directly should you be interested in more details. Marni Barron is available at soultree1@yahoo.com or 517-449-3372.

DC Small Biz Workshop Calendar

Check out this week's DC Small Business Help Workshop Calendar and get connected to the resources and assistance to help you navigate and pivot during COVID-19 crisis.


Click here for the calendar


The District Government needs information about the impact of Covid-19 on your business

The DC Government wants to know how your business is affected, what your status is, and what assistance the District can provide you at this time. The District developed a COVID-19 Business Inquiry Form that will allow local businesses to share their status and help the District put you in contact with the resources you need to expedite your recovery.

Click here to complete the form


"Buy Restaurant Bonds" campaign encourages customers to support restaurants by gift card purchases

The Adams Morgan Partnership is trying to help restaurants and bars that have forced to close or severely limit their services by encouraging customers to purchase gift cards for future dining. We are trying to make a splash with this campaign -- modeled after the Buy War Bonds campaigns of WWI and WWII -- to help draw attention to our 100+ restaurants and employees that are facing an uncertain future. Please join in via your own social media accounts using the hashtag #BuyRestaurantBonds

Please tag us in your social media posts about the operating status of your business so we can pass the information along.



POST YOUR EVENT ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FREE

If your business has an upcoming event happening in Adams Morgan, you can submit it to our website here . Submissions are moderated to ensure they are relevant to the Adams Morgan community.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact Kristen Barden at 202-997-0783.

Tag us on social media!

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