COVID-19 Resource Center for Businesses

The COVID-19 Pandemic has created a great strain on the nation’s healthcare system, but it’s not come without its economic difficulties as well. State leaders are working to ensure resources are readily available to Ohio businesses and workers to ensure we all weather this difficult time, remembering we are all in this together.

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Liquor buyback
The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This is intended to aid those establishments that have stocked up on high proof liquor, but now are facing closure to in-house patrons. Bars and restaurants can return unopened, high proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. Questions about this program should be directed to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center at 1-877-812-0013 or OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.

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Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Contact Ohio DSA to learn what small businesses can do right now: (800) 848-1300. You can also send an email to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov to learn more and obtain the state application. Additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at www.SBA.gov/Disaster. 

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Publicly funded daycares
An executive order issued last week increased the number of children allowed to be supervised by child care staff, depending on the type of program and ages of the children. The order also increased from 10 to 20 the number of paid absent days for providers serving children in the Publicly Funded Child Care program, and it provides child care programs with 21 paid pandemic days if they must close their programs because of the pandemic.  Read the Executive Order here.

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The Ohio Department of Transportation
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is modifying the process for haulers carrying heavy loads of essential goods. Generally, Ohio requires haulers with loads classified as “oversized” to seek advanced permission from ODOT before they are legally allowed to travel in the state. Haulers carrying these essential goods can download and print the permit at transportation.ohio.gov.

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Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) system is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio and serves 249,000 public and private employers. To help businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio BWC is announcing insurance premium installment payments. For more information, visit bwc.ohio.gov.

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Grace Period for Health Insurance Premiums
All health insurers are required to provide the option of deferring premium payments, interest-free, for up to 60 calendar days from each original premium due date. This means that employers can defer their premium payments up to two months, giving them some relief on costs, while keeping their employees insured. Read more here.

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AshlandDining.com

The recent shutdown has affected restaurants and bars across Ohio. But just because you can’t dine-in at your favorite local restaurants, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their food! Use this resource to find carry-out and delivery options available and hours for each. It will be updated daily as options change. This guide is brought to you as a special partnership between Explore Ashland Ohio and Spire Advertising.

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FEMA Guidelines for How to Help by Taking Action

Learn the best way to donate, volunteer or provide critical supplies to the fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Keeping Essential Goods Moving

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has modified the process for haulers carrying heavy loads of essential goods. Generally, the state requires haulers with loads classified as “oversized” to seek advanced permission from ODOT before they are permitted to travel in and through the state. Haulers carrying essential goods can download and print the permit at Transportation.Ohio.gov. The federal government has also cut red tape around obtaining or renewing Commercial Drivers’ Licenses (CDLs) and other licenses to prevent interruption of essential shipping. The Ohio Departments of Public Safety (ODPS) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) have adjusted their enforcement practices to avoid confusion.

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Learn New Tech Skills

TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills and helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a tech-infused economy. Many of these trainings can be completed online. For more information: https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred/about

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Pay Benefits for Reduced Work Hours

SharedWork Ohio allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours. To learn more: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/

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Small Business Development Center

Businesses in the Ashland Area are more than welcome to call our local small Business Development center if they need hands on assistance in navigatidng the COVID-19 crisis.

Michalina Lacy, Certified Business Consultant

COBE Suite 222 – Dauch College of Business
401 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805

(419) 207-6910 (work)

(419) 631-8772 (mobile)

mlacy@sbdc6.com  

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Ashland Community Stress Support Line

Get in touch with the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County if you could use help in handling COVID-19 related stress.

Call (419) 496-0141 or text “HOPE”  to 741741