Funding Assistance:
State of Colorado StartUP Loan Fund - The Fund provides loan capital to mission-based lenders to provide loans to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners needing capital to start, restart, or restructure a business, and those who are not able to obtain a loan from traditional lenders. This is a revolving loan fund, meaning the dollars will be used to continue supporting new entrepreneurs as loans are repaid. Now Accepting Applications thru 2023 with loan values between $10,000-$150,000. Click here to learn more.
EZ Business Loan Fund - Enterprise Zone designation eligibility
El Paso County continues its commitment to startups and local small businesses with a relaunch of a Business Loan Fund program. The Business Loan Fund will provide loan funding to private, for-profit small businesses and startups in El Paso County, who otherwise may not be able to access financing through conventional lenders. Borrowers will have access to loan funding, and wrap-around support services such as education, consulting and/or mentorship, and technical assistance services. Click here to learn more.
* Businesses must be located with in an Enterprise Zone designation area - Map it here.
CLIMBER Loan Fund - sponsored by State of Colorado
Small businesses with 5-99 employees that were financially stable before the pandemic but now need help to survive may apply for working capital loans between $30,000 and $500,000. Below-market interest rates and a 1-year deferred payment option make the program a secure recovery option for small businesses. Now Accepting Applications, click here to learn more.
CO Arts Relief Grant - sponsored by State of CO
This fund has two separate grant applications, one for businesses and organizations and one for individuals of the Arts. You may only apply for one. If you are unsure which one you qualify for, please review the eligibility requirements. Click Here to learn more.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund - sponsored by SBA
The SBA program provides funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023; click here to learn more.
Paycheck Protection Loans (PPP)(effective in 2021)
* 8 weeks of cash flow
* Simplified Criteria, Eligibility, and Application Form
Sole Prop., Independent Contractors, Self-Employed are eligible
* Applicable funds for Payroll, Rent, Utilities, Mortgage, etc.
* Forgivable Loan IF rehire/retain employee workforce by end of year
* MUST WORK THROUGH LOCAL BANK INSTITUTION
List of Certified Bank Institutions
Application Form
Forgiveness Calculator Tool
Rules and Regulations(August 2020)
Pikes Peak Small Business COVID Relief Grants - sponsored by PPACG
A grant program to provide additional financial assistance to hardest-hit businesses. The program is funded by the State of Colorado, which has specified that eligibility for the funding is limited to restaurants, bars (including breweries, wineries, and distilleries), caterers, movie theatres, gyms, and recreation centers. To qualify, businesses in those categories must have experienced at least a 20% reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 26, 2020. Grant awards will be a maximum of $7,000 each. Apply by March 5, 2021 - click here to learn more.
Survive & Thrive 2.0 Grants - sponsored by Exponential Impact
This partnership provides up to $20,000 in grants to eligible small businesses and holistic programming to provide participants with both financial resources and community support to build back stronger. If awarded funds, business owners are expected to participate in the 2-month program and can expect their funds in two tranches, one at the start of the program and one upon completion. Effective 2021 - click here to learn more.
El Paso County Regional Relief Business Fund
A competitive grant application process through the new, multi-million dollar EPC Regional Business Relief Fund as part of their Response, Recovery, Resiliency efforts. These grants (up to $20k) will assist small business most in need with their business related costs incurred due to the COVID-19 economic disruption - click here to learn more
Business Impact Assistance Program - sponsored by City of Fountain
The Program was open to small businesses and restaurants with a brick-and-mortar presence within the City’s boundaries, including locally-owned franchises, that can document negative financial impacts resulting from COVID-19 such as increased costs, reduced revenues, reduced operating hours, employee layoffs/furloughs/pay cuts, etc. As of September 1, 2022, following three rounds of funding, all program funds have been expensed towards helping community small businesses in COVID recovery.
Local Emergency Relief Funding – hosted by Exponential Impact + Pikes Peak Community Foundation
* Low Interest Loans up to $25,000
* Any business within El Paso County is eligible (no Size or Type restrictions)
* Mentorship, Resources, and Support Resiliency Services for Small Business community
Economic Relief Fund – hosted by State of Colorado
* General Operating Grants up to $25,000
* Rolling every two-week Application Windows
* FAQ available online
COVID19 Small Business Alternative Funding - State of CO database
Main Street Loans - hosted by Colorado Lending Source with State of CO
* $5,000- $25,000 loans with variable interest rates
* Low to Moderate, Under-served Communities eligibility
* Application and FAQ available online
Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Business Relief Fund – hosted by El Paso County EDC
* Grants up to $7,500
City of Fountain businesses are already located within the Enterprise Zone – MAP IT
* Eligibility Business Criteria – click here
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Advanced
* Up to $10,000
Forgivable Loan IF rehire/retain employee workforce by end of year.
* Online submittal through SBA: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
Toolkits:
#ShopLocalColorado: The toolkit provides resources and campaign materials to encourage Coloradans to shop local. Business owners and economic development leaders across Colorado can use the provided graphics, social media copy, and success stories in their marketing channels. Each month we will refresh the toolkit with new social media posts and content to share to your audiences.
5-Star Program: The State program at the local EPC level is available to
restaurants,
gyms and
fitness centers,
personal services, and
indoor events. Certified businesses can enjoy increased capacity limits at one level higher on the state’s COVID-19 dial framework.
SizeUP: a free business intelligence tool to grow your business
COVID-19 Data Tracking - website hosted by the CO Department of Health and Public Safety
#WaitingtoCO – hosted by State of CO Tourism Division
#WeAreStayingSafe signage – sponsored by CS Chamber+EDC
#EnergizeCO – sponsored by Coloradans helping Coloradans
EPC Approved Variances Matrix - hosted by El Paso County Public Health Department
Re-Opening per Industry Guidance - hosted by IEDC
Work Environment Public Safety - poster by El Paso County Public Health Department
Practical Guide to Reopening Your Business or Agency - published by El Paso County Public Health Department
Consultant Services with Small Business Experts (free service) - 30+ Consultants via Pikes Peak SBDC
COVID-19 Emergency Loans Small Business Guide + Checklist – published by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Certification for Employers - published by State of Colorado
Small Business COVID-19 Response Guide – published by Pikes Peak SBDC
Small Business Resource Guide – published by City of Fountain
Workforce:
#UPSKILL 2020 - sponsored by the PPWFC of El Paso County
The program provides FREE training resources to the community, resources are available to businesses, employees, and the unemployed seeking new employment opportunities. Learn more online
Re-Tooling Workforce Training Grant - sponsored by Skill Advance CO
State training funds for employee re-skilling and upskilling training efforts through Colorado First and Existing Industry grants to address COVID-19
Champions:
Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – the education source on economic relief funds
CSCEDC Small Business Roundtable - Colorado Springs Chamber+EDC
State of Colorado COVID-19 for Employers (CO)
Economic Injury Hotline: 303-860-5881
Unemployment, Workforce, Wages (FAQ)
El Paso County Department of Health - education, resources, and SOP guidance
Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce (FVCC) – network and bridge relations for business
Notices:
EPC Health 2021 Retail Food Establishment License Fees Waved
ALERT: Malicious Cyber Spoofing COVID-19 Loan Relief web page and phishing emails (scam notice)
IRS Federal Income Tax Deadlines
State of CO Income Tax Deadlines
State of CO Payroll and Tax deadlines - eligible for deferral, contact State Revenue Division
Coloradans Health Care Enrollment
Review and Select individual health care plans offered through Connect for Health Colorado
Pre-existing SBA Loan – hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA has automatically deferred payments (principle + interest) on those loans through the end of 2020. Press Release To learn more, please contact your local SBA bank institution that services the pre-existing loan for the business.
Weekly Roundup Editions: published by City of Fountain, Economic Development
This condensed content was provided to City of Fountain businesses during Spring - Fall 2020 to aid Small Business Resiliency through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Survey Tracker:
Pulse Survey #6 - published July 2022 by EPC
(final edition)
Pulse Survey #5 - published February 2022 by EPC
Pulse Survey #4 - published July 2021 by EPC
Pulse Survey #2 - published January 2021 by EPC
Pulse Survey #1 - published September 2020 by EPC
CO Business Impact Survey - published June 2020 by State of CO
Business Membership COVID-19 Impacts Survey - published 4.9.20 by the Colorado Springs Chamber + EDC (CSCEDC)
Municipal and County Business Response and Recovery Survey - published 4.3.20 by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC)