COVID-19 Business Resources

Baton Rouge, La. (April 9, 2020) – In response to the regional shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) needed by front-line healthcare workers in their COVID-19 response, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) is connecting regional manufacturers, businesses and nonprofits with the resources, equipment, and volunteers to locally source, produce, and deliver in-demand items.

Key changes have been made to unemployment insurance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the federal and state levels. The CARES Act includes a $600 weekly federal supplement – in addition to Louisiana’s weekly allocation of up to $250 – that is expected to reach states beginning this week.

The significant $600 weekly federal supplement to unemployment insurance benefits should reach states beginning the week of April 6, according to Fox Business. This and other key changes to unemployment insurance have been made in response to the unprecedented economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of BRAC’s business recovery priorities, we will be producing and distributing a weekly economic indicator dashboard to examine and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.

Last week the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), officially began accepting applications from small businesses and sole proprietorships. The roll-out from the feds was rocky, with last-minute adjustments to guidance that left local lenders working around the clock to prepare.

Baton Rouge, La. (April 3, 2020) – The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application period opened today, just hours after the Small Business Administration released Interim Final Guidance for the Program, providing critical guidance to lenders and borrowers. Among the guidance was a change in the anticipated interest rate for PPP loans. Previous interim guidance set the loans at a fixed 0.5%; the interim final guidance sets the interest rate at 1%.

Check out a few actions to take if you’re planning to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan.

On Wednesday the state announced the Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program, which will offer loans of up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses of fewer than 100 employees that are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

BRAC and one of our partners in supporting small businesses, NexusLA, developed a side-by-side comparison that is (hopefully!) helpful in equating the pros and cons of each small business loan option.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury issued guidance and a template application for businesses interested in assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), part of the CARES Act that was signed into law on March 27.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a new Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program, which will offer loans of up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses of fewer than 100 employees that are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. To help Main Street and rural businesses sustain operations, the loans will require no payments for 180 days and carry below-market interest rates of no more than 3.5 percent.

Baton Rouge, La. (April 1, 2020) – Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Treasury issued guidance and the application for businesses interested in assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), part of the CARES Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. BRAC encourages businesses to fill out the application now, in preparation for submission to an SBA-approved lender starting April 3.

Today at 9 a.m., we are hosting a webinar with Senator Bill Cassidy and Louisiana’s District Director of the SBA Mike Ricks for a Q&A session on the new federal recovery legislation, the CARES Act.

Baton Rouge, La. (March 31, 2020) – The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today released a COVID-19 dashboard that examines and assesses the impact of the novel corona virus on the regional economy. The

As part of BRAC’s business recovery priorities, we will be producing and distributing a weekly economic indicator dashboard to examine and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.

Check out these tips for small business owners navigating COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has passed. The historic stimulus package includes important provisions for small businesses.

Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 27. The historic stimulus package includes important provisions for small businesses, outlined in this post.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Secretary Don Pierson of Louisiana Economic Development announced the opening of an LED help desk that provides email and hotline support for Louisiana businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Our region is experiencing a shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) needed by front-line healthcare workers in their COVID-19 response.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today announced it has formally paused its 2020 strategic goals and retooled its priorities to support the regional business community through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery period.

The shifting jobs landscape caused by COVID-19 has resulted in quick workforce changes. While some companies are forced to turn to layoffs and furloughs, some other industry sectors are needing to quickly ramp up hiring to meet increased demand.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that his request for a statewide Major Disaster Declaration in response to the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana was approved by President Donald Trump last night. The declaration allows the federal government to provide additional support for state and local agencies in dealing with this growing public health emergency.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the Coronavirus’ effect on the economy. The Senate finally looks to be in a position to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) either later today or tomorrow, providing much-needed relief for businesses across the U.S.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the Coronavirus’ effect on the economy. The Senate finally looks to be in a position to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) either later today or tomorrow, providing much-needed relief for businesses across the U.S.

Yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards issued a Stay-at-Home order for the state of Louisiana, limiting those that will go to work every day to Louisiana citizens in “essential industries” only. But what exactly is an essential industry?

BATON ROUGE, La. — In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) today opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential critical infrastructure personnel. By simply completing an application PDF (will open in new tab), these families can access subsidized care for children age 12 and under at licensed childcare centers participating in the program, or through registered and certified family childcare and in-home providers.

Baton Rouge, LA – March 23, 2020 – I am deeply saddened to learn of the first fatalities attributed to COVID-19 in East Baton Rouge Parish today. On behalf of our community, I share our love and condolences with the patients’ family and friends.

BATON ROUGE – Due to the public health emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic, the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) is extending the deadline for state income taxes to July 15, 2020. The extension applies to Louisiana individual, corporation, fiduciary and partnership income tax returns and payments.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards announced a stay-at-home quarantine for the state of Louisiana.

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statewide Stay at Home order that goes into effect at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, to further fight the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, as the number of confirmed cases have topped 800 and spread to more than half of our parishes.

Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome issued an Executive Order temporarily suspending the parish’s sign ordinance for 120 days, providing businesses an opportunity to advertise adjustments to their services on signs in the public right-of-way.

Baton Rouge, La. (March 19, 2020) – The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today released the following analysis of new federal legislation and updates to existing federal and local resources for businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Louisiana small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. John Bel Edwards on March 16, 2020.

On March 11, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards declared a statewide public health emergency as a result of the imminent threat posed to Louisiana citizens by the outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus known commonly as COVID-19. The Department of Revenue continues to actively monitor this ongoing situation in concert with the Governor’s Office.

Businesses across Louisiana are being impacted by the Coronavirus, and those for which business must be transacted face-to-face are the hardest hit. Service and other key members of our state’s workforce and their employers are looking for relief from the economic gut-punch the Coronavirus is delivering.

Baton Rouge, La. (March 13, 2020) – The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today announced it has opened a survey designed to gather the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses and the regional economy. The survey, and recommendations and resources for businesses, is available at brac.org/recovery.