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COVID-19 Business Support Resources

The Downtown Development Authority continues to monitor developments relative to COVID-19 with the realization that your normal business operations may be interrupted. As such, businesses have reached out to inquire about guidance, support resources, and potential government assistance programs. Please see the links below for more information.

dda resources available to downtown businesses

 

business as unusual signage for downtown businesses

The Downtown Development Authority worked with Toolbox Creative to develop a uniform and creative physical distancing sign package to meet the county health guidelines and inform customers.  The signs will address mandatory messages and other useful applications relative to physical distancing expectations inside and outside businesses.

Please use this signup form to indicate the sign types and quantities you would like to secure for your business.

These signs will be provided free of charge by the DDA. Please only select what you need for your business so the DDA can meet the needs of the entire downtown community.

Signage Request Form

bulk hand sanitizer distribution opportunity

As businesses prepare to re-open their doors, the Downtown Development Authority is currently accepting orders for Hand Sanitizer for downtown businesses. If you would like to secure hand sanitizer for your business, please fill out this form. The hand sanitizer will be provided free of charge by the DDA.

Additional Details

  • A one gallon container will be provided for each business. Additional containers will be made available as individual business’s demand becomes apparent.
  • Thank you Mobb Mountain Distillery for assisting the DDA to locate the bulk quantities of hand sanitizer!

Sanitizer Request Form

 

Fort Collins Covid-19 Business Strategy Webinar: Making Your Business a Destination by Jon Schallert

Jon Schallert shares 13 tools to bring customer traffic & revenue into any business and then, takes questions from the participants for an hour. A special thanks to the Downtown Development Authority for commissioning this video to share some key strategies in evolving your business during this unprecedented set of challenges facing our communities.

View Webinar Here

 

 

noco recovers

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations from across the region have come together to launch a single source of up-to-date information to support the business community of Northern Colorado. The site launched on April 9, 2020 and resides at NoCoRecovers.com.

Visit NocoRecovers.com
for fort collins business resources

 

 

To help support local business and protect workforce, customers, and the community, the City of Fort Collins has worked with a range of partners to develop and maintain the For Fort Collins resource page. For more information on the resources available to your business, click the following link.

“Our businesses are working hard to adjust, so we ask all to be kind, have patience and follow guidelines through this transition. We know everyone in our community wants to support our local businesses as we are all in this together. Let’s do the right thing for Fort Collins to help them reopen responsibly so that we can get back to all the things we love, together.”

For Fort Collins Resource Page

resources for businesses

 

 

 

  • U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance website: Includes information specific to COVID-19. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses in designated areas suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus.
    • Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC): In Colorado, the Pikes Peak Office (Colorado Springs) is serving as the centralized resource for small business response resources. This page is updated regularly in coordination with the Office of Economic Development and State and Federal agencies.
    • To become a designated area, the region needs to document the impact COVID-19 is having on local businesses. Once five businesses within Larimer county have documented that economic injury has been suffered, the SBA can then direct disaster support to the region.
    • Any business that is suffering an economic loss as a result of COVID-19 is required to fill out an economic injury worksheet. For more information, please contact Lori Hodges with the Larimer County office of emergency management, who is coordinating with the SBA on this effort on behalf of Larimer County. Email Lori Hodges at hodgeslr@co.larimer.co.us and cc Adam Crowe at acrowe@larimer.org.

 

  • Larimer County Unemployment Resources:  Includes an unemployment guide and FAQs, as well as information related to layoff alternatives, layoff assistance and the unemployment insurance application process. 

 

 

 

  • Know Your Finances Checklist: Answering these questions may help secure your business’ financial well-being. For example, have you thought about a line of credit for your business? What are your procedures to accommodate a potential business disruption?

 

 

 

  • State of Emergency & Hourly Paid Sick Leave Information: Under the executive authority of the state of emergency, the State of Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has been given the authority to require employers/businesses in the service and hospitality industries to:

 

  • Retail and Business Facilities: Recommendations from the Larimer County Public Health Department:
    These recommendations pertain to movie theaters, pharmacies, retail shops and stores, and private businesses. Larimer County Public Health recommends offering your services and programs virtually or by delivery, if and when possible. Activities in a facility should prioritize social distancing.

      • Encourage staff to telework.
      • Expand sick leave policies.
      • Implement social distancing measures
      • Spacing workers at the worksite.
      • Staggering work schedules.
      • Decreasing social contacts in the workplace (limit in-person meetings).
      • All break areas must accommodate distancing with regular disinfection of all eating surfaces.
      • Eliminate large work-related gatherings (e.g., staff meetings, after-work functions).
      • Postpone non-essential work travel.
      • Monitor for illness in the workplace and encourage staff to stay home if they aren’t feeling well.
      • Implement extended telework arrangements (when feasible).
      • Ensure flexible leave policies for staff who need to stay home due to schools or childcare closures and to encourage individuals to stay home if they are sick.
      • Cancel work-sponsored conferences, tradeshows, etc.
  • The Larimer County Public Health Department encourages employees, onsite contractors, and customers to:
    • Stop handshaking – use other non-contact methods of greeting.
    • Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email.
    • Promote tap and pay when possible to reduce the handling of cash.
    • Create new habits and reminders to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly.
    • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting heating and air conditioning systems.
  • The Larimer County Public Health Department encourage businesses, including retail and service operators, to think creatively about how to avoid crowding. This could include:
    • Use booking and scheduling to stagger customer flow
    • Use online transactions where possible
    • Follow guidance about limiting attendance at larger gatherings, including managing entry, exit, and lines within the establishment

 

  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Update: As of March 20th, the IRS has extended the tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th. Taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.  Visit the IRS website for the most up-to-date information.

 

  • NoCoRecovers.com: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations from across the region have come together to launch a single source of up-to-date information to support the business community of Northern Colorado. The site launched on April 9, 2020 and resides at NoCoRecovers.com.

 

  • Tenant & Commercial Landlord Guide: The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority has constructed a comprehensive guide intended to suggest communication methods and create awareness between business tenants and commercial landlords.

 

  • WorkInNorthernColorado.com: If your business or organization has unfortunately had to furlough or layoff staff, please consider directing them to WorkInNorthernColorado.com for updated listings.

 

  • NoCoSafetySupply.com: This website serves as a local marketplace exchange for PPE equipment. Thanks to Nick Armstrong at WTF Marketing and the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce for bringing this site to life.

 

  • “For Fort Collins”: This new website serves as a centralized place to host resources for both businesses and community members and was launched by the City of Fort Collins in conjunction with Visit Fort Collins, The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, the Midtown Business Improvement District and the DBA. Thanks to Old Town Media for the website creation.

 

  • NoCoRecovers.com: This collaborative website is designed to provide the most up-to-date information on funding resources available to support the business community of Northern Colorado and has been brought forth by an alliance of Northern Colorado economic development programs and organizations.

 

State & Local Public Health Resources
aDDITIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES