Happy Summer!! 

We're officially into a new season of COVID-19 living, most businesses are reopened in some capacity with more adjustments daily, the need to apply for relief is still real for many. We know that this time has been challenging at best. Just know that EABA is here for you- drop of a call or email anytime. 

• Help EABA get our brand launched...attend via Zoom Tuesday | 6/23. 
• Get help with your EDIL/PPP applications 6.22-6.24. NFIB webinar on Wed | 6/24.
  
• We acknowledge the need for equal dignity for all...check out the weekly webinar from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Fri | 6/26. 
• KEEP READING 

Back before we even knew COVID existed, EABA held a branding exercise at our November general meeting. 

From that meeting, the marketing committee creatives have been hard at work creating a brand for our organization as well as a brand for the neighborhood.  

• EABA Key Words
• EABA Marketing Questions & Results

SEE WHAT Joe Price Design, Media Terror Alert and Traci with an Eye Graphic Design have been working on- an EABA logo, an East Atlanta mark and our very own font type!!!!

Please register in advance for the ZOOM EABA BRANDING PRESENTATION

  

EIDL APPLICATION IS OPEN AGAIN 

https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ 

Expires 9/30/20 

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS UPDATE | APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON JUNE 30TH! 

NFIB Webinar | Wed. @ Noon  | REGISTER HERE

• PPP EZ Application – Step-by-Step Instructions for Maximizing PPP Loan Forgiveness

New PPP Law Updates

• Lengthens the loan forgiveness period from eight weeks to 24 weeks.
• Lowers the amount of PPP funds that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60% and allows 40% for other qualifying expenses.
• Delays employer payroll tax payments through the end of 2020.
• Exempts borrowers from the FTE loan forgiveness reduction if borrowers are unable to return to the same level of business activity as before Feb. 15th due to Covid-19.

WATCH A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS APPLICATION

CATCH UP ON ALL PPP RECORDED WEBINARS AND OTHER COVID BUSINESS RELATED INFO

NEED HELP WITH THE PPP APPLICATION? 

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A PPP LOAN BEFORE YOU SCHEDULE  

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR HELP

   

WEEKLY UPDATE FROM NCCHR | WHAT DOES DEFUND THE POLICE ACTUALLY MEAN WEBINAR? 6.26.20

This program will explore the history of policing, how public opinion of the police is changing and what defunding the police actual means and how this would affect our communities.  REGISTER HERE

National Center for Civil and Human Rights recent webinar recordings along with some excellent resources: + Watch: Taking Action to Support Under-Resourced Communities + Watch: Democracy for All + Watch: Campaign for Equal Dignity Launch Additional actions you can take: + Support Love Sinks In   + Join the conversation with Equitable Dinners + Sign the pledge for Equal Dignity & encourage others to sign Stay Informed - Here is what we are reading: + Anti-Racism Resource Guide + Stamped from the Beginning | Ibram X. Kendi + In Tulsa, evictions were a crisis before the pandemic

    

We look forward to seeing you on the screen tomorrow, Tuesday June 16th @ 6pm.  

• Our general meeting will be held via Zoom. 
• Please register for the meeting in advance here! 
• Read the agenda 

We look forward to co-creating a more inclusive East Atlanta business community with you. Please share this to any business owner you know that operates a business in East Atlanta.  Everyone is welcome! 

We find ourselves in uncharted territory: three months into COVID living and a long overdue awakening towards equality and justice for all. 

We hope you are healthy, your business is starting to emerge from the COVID haze and seeing more support from customers...maybe even some in person....of course socially distant. 

Remember to tag us @EastAtlantaBiz on FB & IG. We want to keep up with all of your business changes as best as we can! We'll reshare/repost too! 

PLEASE TAKE 10 MINUTES TO READ THIS POST & CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFO.  It will inform, educate and offer you ways to engage. We know it's a lot to take in, but we also know that your inbox is overflowing...so we'll just send you this BIG ONE FOR NOW 

• Can't find the email and information from a previous email? Visit our BLOG and search by date. 

  

6.12.20 @ Noon | As part of the Campaign for Equal Dignity, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights welcomes Fair Fight for a conversation about the current issues voters face and how to ensure the right to vote is extended to all people. Moderated by Mo Ivory

Online event. Free. Register and Sign the Pledge! 

We invite you to co-create actionable steps towards making sure all business owners in East Atlanta are heard, included and welcomed.

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdu-oqjwjE9O-9n7OYEjbON0pKecIWAlK 

   

 

 NEW STATE REOPENING GUIDELINES START ON JUNE 16TH

Governor Brian Kemp has signed a NEW Executive Order that goes into effect at 12 AM on June 16 and runs through 11:59 PM on June 30.  

READ FULL STATE ORDER  6.11.20 

As it relates to restaurants:

• In restaurants and dining rooms, there is no longer a party maximum for the number of people who can sit together.
• There is no longer a limit on the number of patrons allowed per square foot.
• Workers at restaurants, dining rooms, banquet facilities, private event facilities, and private reception venues are only required to wear face coverings when they are interacting with patrons.
• In a bar, now you can have fifty people – up from twenty-five – or thirty-five percent of total listed fire capacity, whichever is greater.
• For salad bars and buffets, a worker can use cafeteria-style service to serve patrons or the establishment can provide hand sanitizer, install a sneeze guard, enforce social distancing, and regularly replace shared utensils to allow patron self-service.

  

CITY OF ATLANTA 5 PHASE PLAN 

FOR RE-OPENING! 

Read the full 5 Phase Plan Here

As of May 27, 2020 we entered into Phase 2. 

Read an Intown Article 

    

ORDER TOUCHLESS SANITIZER STATIONS

THANK YOU TO ARGOSY FOR HELPING ALL BUSINESS HAVE ACCESS! 

Contact Directly: Matt VanMol with Sysco- vanmol.matt@atl.sysco.com

Use: Armando’s Argosy account

Pay: With Your Company Credit Card

Pick Up: At Argosy

     

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS UPDATE 

The new PPP law:

• Lengthens the loan forgiveness period from eight weeks to 24 weeks.
• Lowers the amount of PPP funds that must be spent on payroll from 75% to 60% and allows 40% for other qualifying expenses.
• Delays employer payroll tax payments through the end of 2020.
• Exempts borrowers from the FTE loan forgiveness reduction if borrowers are unable to return to the same level of business activity as before Feb. 15th due to Covid-19.

WATCH A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS APPLICATION

CATCH UP ON ALL PPP RECORDED WEBINARS AND OTHER COVID BUSINESS RELATED INFO

    

NO PENALTY FOR UNPAID BUSINESS LICENSE UNTIL JUNE 3OTH! 

  

    

READ FULL STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY

Please receive this support statement as a beginning point for more heartfelt discussions, learning and ongoing actions towards creating an equitable business community of East Atlanta. 

Join us on Tuesday June 16th, for our Zoom General Meeting!  We invite you to co-create actionable steps towards making sure all business owners in East Atlanta are heard, included and welcomed.  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We are in the midst of a revolution, a pandemic, and a time of great pain and concern for our community. East Atlanta is a place that shows the diversity of Atlanta. East Atlanta Business Association exists because of its business owners, employees, customers, vendors, and neighbors. When one person hurts; we all hurt. 

We stand in support of our black and brown business owners.We are a community that stands together strong- today, and every day. Our organization is dedicated to supporting all businesses in East Atlanta through building meaningful relationships, open discussions and inclusive decisions to connect, empower and promote our diverse community. 

We support Black Lives Matter,  Equality, and Justice for all! 

Thank you to everyone who attended our Tuesday EABA Meeting! 

HERE ARE THE MEETING MINUTES

SEE THE MEETING VIDEO HERE: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zM54Bbbg8ThOWqvHyWXdQoEIEbW4eaa8hiIfr6JbnUa5m5Xga1kKyS_JcBjMxUyb Password: 5f@=r+1E  

FILL OUT THE 2020 STRUT SURVEY

Let the STRUT know how you'd like to get involved with this NEW STRUT 2020!

We have an unusual plan for this year’s Strut (Saturday, September 26), and we’d love your help spreading the word and getting input from businesses.

In this era of social distancing, we plan to broaden the Strut footprint by having two components, one a chance for businesses to Strut their stuff and the other a way for neighborhood streets to Strut in place.

Read more about the ideas and how to get involved with STRUT 2020: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ov4FNKN_9KEPnLQ0-Xy74tN-SN1RDXdD60xsFxDZi0Q/edit?usp=sharing

Have a safe, socially distant Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

Here's the low down for our meeting Tomorrow, Tuesday 5/19 @ 6pm on Zoom:

View the New Agenda Here!

How can you join in on the meeting fun?

• You must Register in advance for this meeting.
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

WEBINARS THIS WEEK
GADOL WEBINARS

Latest Employer Unemployment Updates 

 
Monday, May 18, 2020 at 3 pm
Maximum Capacity: 3000 participants
Participant Q&A
Please register here:
https://gdol.webex.com/gdol/onstage/g.php?MTID=e965e9ac00d92c344d5a49e39bd4edcd5

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 11 am
Maximum Capacity: 3000 participants
Participant Q&A
Please register here:
https://gdol.webex.com/gdol/onstage/g.php?MTID=e6f45441dd23e76d9d53c02397fcd4187

Recorded sessions will also soon be available on the GDOL website.

May 20 @ Noon Webinar: NFIB: Small Business and COVID-19: PPP Loan Forgiveness Explained and Other Questions Answered   REGISTER NOW

PPP Forgiveness Application

It's the middle of May and our lives have changed significantly over the last 8 weeks during COVID-19. You can track the changes to business on our blog.

Tonight, you can join the East Atlanta Community Association's meeting TONIGHT AT 7PM VIA ZOOM to connect with the community. 

Changes are daily and business operations are top of mind!

Some businesses are open within the new guidelines, operating with to go/delivery and limited social distance appointments. Here is our ongoing list. EABA supports businesses who open safely and respectfully.

Do you have an addition or change to your business operations? Email us at hello@eastatlantbiz.com and we'll add you to the list. 

Governor Kemp will hold a press release TODAY AT 4PM to give a COVID-19 update and talk about keeping bars and venues closed beyond May 13th.

Let's keep supporting our local businesses, being kind and respecting the CDC guidelines. We're not over COVID-19 yet, but together we can keep flattening the curve!

 

WEBINARS: THIS WEEK & RECORDINGS

NFIB Small Business and COVID-19: Your Questions Answered Live!

Wed., May 13th, 2020, 12:00 PM ET 

REGISTER HERE

Recording: Webinar about Safety Procedures for Opening Up, PPP and Unemployment

LISTEN NOW

Recording: The Post COVID-19 Workplace

Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor with Mammoth HR, addresses the compliance aspects of layoffs, furloughs, and recalls to help employers navigate these difficult decisions.

LISTEN NOW

Recording: QuickBooks Town Hall Series

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin joined Intuit business leaders to discuss some of the most pressing questions about small business relief and support in the midst of COVID-19.

LISTEN NOW

 

NFIB Small Business and COVID-19: Your Questions Answered Live!

Wed., May 13th, 2020, 12:00 PM ET 

REGISTER HERE

Recording: Webinar about Safety Procedures for Opening Up, PPP and Unemployment

LISTEN NOW

Recording: The Post COVID-19 Workplace

Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor with Mammoth HR, addresses the compliance aspects of layoffs, furloughs, and recalls to help employers navigate these difficult decisions.

LISTEN NOW

Recording: QuickBooks Town Hall Series

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin joined Intuit business leaders to discuss some of the most pressing questions about small business relief and support in the midst of COVID-19.

LISTEN NOW

 

GRANTS & FUNDING

Attention all Gig Workers! New City of Atlanta Relief Program.

Applications open soon. Check out the info here.

• Resources available to creatives: The recent CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) ACT expands unemployment insurance benefits to cover self-employed freelancers and gig workers. 

• • Visit https://dol.georgia.gov/gdol-covid-19-information for more information on how to apply.

• Invest Atlanta’s COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.investatlanta.com/covid-19-resources.  

FedEx Grants

If you’re a small business impacted by COVID-19 in the U.S., consider applying for a #SupportSmall Grant starting May 25. Selected recipients will get a cash grant of $5,000 plus a $500 FedEx Office credit.

More Info: Applications Open May 25th

APPLICATION DETAILS

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Prepare for Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness

Learn more about applying for PPP loan forgiveness 8 weeks after receiving funds from your lender.

LEARN MORE

All businesses can now have a page on NextDoor. 

Add your restaurant to the delivery list: https://nextdoor.com/delivery/

Your page will not show up until you  get recommendations. 

List of Georgia COVID-19 Suppliers from the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development VIEW THE LIST

MAY EABA MEETING: TUESDAY MAY 19 @ 6PM- ZOOM

Please register in advance for this meeting:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thank you!

 

We hope you are healthy and rolling along with all the changes as best as you can. Now that the state wide shelter-in-place is no longer guiding our lives, now might just be the most uncertain we've had so far in this COVID-19 time.

We do know these two things about today:

It’s Cinco de Mayo & Giving Tuesday!

Grab To-Go, Celebrate Your Health and Support Local Nonprofits!

Holy Taco Offering...

Phone will be OPEN at 4PM for drinks, dinner and Bodega essentials

FROZEN MARGARITAS in a 20oz cup

- Call 404-230-6177 or 470-265-1524 for your NO contact curbside to go pick up

- View the Updated Menu on Facebook

- Thanks for sharing this article, Holy Taco, "How the Pandemic Will Change Retail Forever"

BLU Cantina Offering...

- Call & place your order, pick up Outside, or order us through Uber Eats, Doordash & Postmates
- View the Menu
- To order call 404-254-2151

Latest EABA Business Offerings:

Click to view: What East Atlanta Businesses Are Open + Business GoFundMes

Giving Tuesday During COVID!

Support these EABA Members: 

• Village Church Of East Atlanta: Donate via GAgives! | www.villagechurchofeastatlanta.org
• Eastside Church: www.eastsideatl.org/
• East Atlanta Kids Club: Donate via GAgives! |www.eastatlantakids.org
• DogtoberfestEAV: Donate via GAgives! | www.dogtoberfesteav.com
• Planned Parenthood Southeast Health Center: Donate via GAgives! |www.psse.org
• Friends of East Atlanta Library: Donate via GAgives! |https://sites.google.com/friendsofeastatlantalibrary.org/feal/home
• EAV Strut Inc: Donate via GAgives! |www.eastatlantastrut.com
• Neighbor in Need East Atlanta: Donate via GAgives! | https://www.facebook.com/NeighborInNeedEAV/

While You’re in a Giving Mood- Fill out the EABA survey!!

Survey link HERE

• We can’texpress enough how important it is to get this information to the City of Atlanta!!

• It takes 5 minutes!! If you already have- Thanks! If something has changed as far as funding, fill it out again or email us at hello@eastatlantabiz.com

Thank you for supporting East Atlanta Businesses during COVID-19!

Other Business Resources:

• Re-Opening Guidelines

• • Read Gov. Kemp’s Reviving a Healthy Georgia Executive Order

  • Salons and Spas as of 4/24/20

  • Restaurants as of 4/27/20

• List of Georgia COVID-19 Suppliers from the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

• Weekly NFIB Webinar Getting Back to Business-COVID-19 Financial & Workplace Safety Updates  Wed., May 6th, 2020, 12:00 PM ET

• • Register Here

• QuickBooks Town Hall Series: Connecting Small Businesses with Experts on Wed. May 6th @ 10:30am

• • In our first event, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin joined Intuit business leaders on May 6 at 10:30 AM EST to discuss some of the most pressing questions about small business relief and support in the midst of COVID-19. Register and submit your questions. 

  • • Register Here

Can you believe it's been SIX WEEKS since COVID-19 became a daily topic?  

How are you feeling now that some restrictions are being eased? 

• We're feeling mixed emotions!  We know everyone is trying to figure out what is best for ourselves, customers and our businesses. 
• We continue to support safe practices for businesses and individuals alike per the CDC guidelines.
• • Check out the updated East Atlanta Business Operations Right Now
• There is a lot changing every day. EABA is working hard to collect, distill and distribute relevant information in a timely manner. 
• • If you remember an email but can't find it, you can always reference it here: https://eastatlantabiz.com/Blog
• Thank you to our 53 members ! Welcome to the 7 new members (TaroTeri Spiritual LLC, The T-Shirt Lady LLC, Clarity at Work, The Midway Pub, Carolina Hemp Company, Nail Shack Salon and Traci with an Eye Graphic Design, LLC) in the past 30 days! 
• • Join EABA!   

YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PPP AND EIDL 

Tues. April 28th @ 2pmApplying for PPP and Other COVID-19 Funding

With a new round of COVID-19 relief legislation approved, GoDaddy wants to help you secure the small business funding you need. We have partnered with small business experts, Next Street, to break down how you can get in the best position for the upcoming $310 billion stimulus package. 

REGISTER

Wed. April 29th @ Noon  NFIB Coronavirus Weekly Briefing for Small Business

The upcoming webinar on Wednesday April 29th, will focus on new developments with the PPP and EID loan programs and participant Q&A.

REGISTER

PPP APPLICATION NOW OPEN: Reinvestment Fund

MORE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

 

HAVE QUESTIONS??? HERE ARE SOME GREAT RESOURCES TO  HELP!  

Can I get a Paycheck Protection Program loan if I've laid off employees?

Employee Retention Credits versus the Paycheck Protection Program

How the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act affects your payroll  

Info on SBA Loans and Unemployment

Workforce Atlanta Guide for Employers and Job Seekers

  

REOPENING GUIDELINES

Read Gov. Kemp’s Reviving a Healthy Georgia Executive Order

Salons and Spas as of 4/24/20Restaurants as of 4/27/20

  

FIND THIS EMAIL HELPFUL? 

PLEASE HELP EABA OUT AND FILL OUT THIS SURVEY BY FRIDAY! 

We want to know how your business has been impacted over the last 6 weeks and business continuity steps you have taken. 

• We will share this information with the City of Atlanta to gather data to better inform the needs of the business community during these uncertain times.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS FRIDAY MAY 1, 2020

FILL OUT THE SURVEY NOW

   

Thank you for supporting East Atlanta businesses during this time, please continue! 

• Many businesses that are allowed to re-open per Gov. Kemp's orders will remain closed until they feel safe for their customers and employees. 

• Some businesses will choose to re-open. It is up to each business to choose what is best for them at this time. 

• See the guidelines for salons, spas that choose to re-open tomorrow. 

We continue to support safe practices for businesses and individuals alike per the CDC guidelines. 

New Grant Opportunity

Thanks to a $1 million grant from Sam’s Club, LISC will provide emergency assistance that small businesses desperately need during the Covid-19 crisis. And it doesn’t stop there: Sam’s Club is mobilizing its members to support this effort as well. 

Learn More

MOST UP TO DATE INFO ON COVID-19 LEGISLATION + PPP Lender Contact

Senate Passes Roughly $484 Billion in New Coronavirus Aid

The Senate on Tuesday approved roughly $484 billion in new coronavirus aid for small businesses and hospitals and more funding for testing, ending a lengthy battle over the size and contents of the package. 

 

Read More

SBA Payment Protection Program: Information from Congressman John Lewis

• Get your application in now!

• The funds will move fast and many lenders have applications lined up already. 

• CDFIs, Credit Unions, and smaller banks are expected to be able to offer these loans this round with the new funding. 

Unity Bank of Texas urges small businesses to apply with them immediately if they have not applied already. You do not have to be a current client. 

https://www.unitybanktexas.com/Business-Loans.aspx

George Andrews 404.588.9611

Michael Green 404.609.3463

View the NFIB Update

Great Webinar that answers a lot of questions!

Click here to view.

 

On the Federal Tax Deferrals

The federal government is now allowing deferrals for 100% of the social security payroll tax paid by employers and deferral for 50% of social security costs paid by self-employed individuals. This is applicable to any tax deposits due between 3/27/20 and 12/31/2020.

 

Why it's right for you:

The social security payroll tax amounts to 6.2% of gross wages. You can pay 50% of the taxes by December 2021 and the other 50% by December 2022.

Things to note:

If you defer these tax deposits, you as the employer are solely liable for payment by the extended due date.

 

Employers that participate in the PPP are not eligible for this program. However, they can defer taxes up until the date the employer applies for and receives a decision that their PPP loan has been forgiven.

 

On Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

Why it's right for you:

For each quarter through the end of 2020, employers are eligible for a credit of up to 50% of the first $10,000 in qualified wages for each qualified employee. This employee retention credit is limited to the 6.2% employer share of Social Security taxes subject to several conditions, and any excess credit is refundable.

Things to note:

You cannot get this credit if you have a PPP loan.

 

On Refusing to Work + Collecting Unemployment

There are a lot of questions as Georgia prepares to reopen for business under strict social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

 

• Update on Pandemic Unemployment for 1099 contractors and self employed. 

• Governor Kemp to re-open some businesses as early as Friday

 

Read More

FILL OUT THE EABA COVID-19 BUSINESS RESPONSE SURVEY

We want to know how your business has been impacted over the month and business continuity steps you have taken. 

• We will share this information with the City of Atlanta to gather data to better inform the needs of the business community during these uncertain times.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS FRIDAY APRIL 30, 2020

FILL OUT THE SURVEY NOW