Business Resources
Restaurant Revitalization Grant
The federal government has reserved $28.6 billion for restaurants and other similar businesses to help replace lost revenues in 2020.
- Applications open for priority applicants as of May 3. Application period for all other eligible businesses opens May 24.
- Priority given to businesses at least 51% owned by women, veterans, socially disadvantaged individuals, and economically disadvantaged individuals for first 21 days of application period.
- Do you qualify? Restaurants, food stands, food trucks, food carts, caterers, saloons, inns, taverns, bars, lounges, brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, and other facilities where the public may assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink are all qualifying businesses.
- What can I use the funds for? Funds can be used to cover payroll costs, payments of principal or interest on mortgage, rent payments, utilities, maintenance, supplies, food and beverage expenses, covered supplier costs, operational expenses, and paid sick leave.
Apply today using the SBA Application Portal (Restaurants.sba.gov) or your Point-of-Sale vendor (including Square, Toast, Clover, NCR Corporation [Aloha], and Oracle)!
Other helpful resources:
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
This federal program will provide $16 billion for grants to support live entertainment venues impacted by COVID-19.
- Do you qualify? Eligible businesses include live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, motion picture theatre operators, museum operators, and talent representatives who demonstrate a 25% reduction in revenues in at least one quarter of 2020.
- Priority given to those who have suffered largest revenue losses first.
- What can I use the funds for? Funds can be used to cover payroll, rent, utility, scheduled mortgage payments, scheduled debt payments, worker protection expenditures, other ordinary and necessary business expenditures, operating leases, state and local taxes and fees, as well as certain other expenses.
Apply today using the SBA SVOG Application Portal – SVOGrantPortal.sba.gov/s
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Portal Call Center: 1-800-659-2955
Find more information on SBA.gov.
(Re)Open for Business
New Hanover County Public Health is offering assistance and expertise to local restaurants, businesses, and organizations on preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the reopening process. If you are a business owner or manager seeking help with individual processes and safety measures, you can contact the Coronavirus Call Center at 910-798-6800 to talk through your questions and get connected to more resources. If needed, our team can deploy to meet with restaurants or businesses on site (maintaining all protective measures) to talk through processes that facilitate cleanliness and physical distancing.
Download the (Re)Open for Business PDF
View the latest guidance, recommendations and best practices during the reopening process:
Reopening & Safety Guidance
- (Re)Open for Business – Guidance from New Hanover County on preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the reopening process
- Smart Restart (Wilmington Chamber of Commerce)
- Count On Me NC – Business training and a mutual pledge initiative to help keep everyone safe and protected
- Checklist for Reopening (NCDHHS)
- Fire and Safety Checklist for Reopening a Building (National Fire Protection Association)
- Checking water systems before reopening a building (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority)
- Guidance for businesses (NC Department of Health and Human Services)
- Guidance for human services (NC Department of Health and Human Services)
- Guidance for veterinarians and animal services (NC Department of Health and Human Services)
- CDC community guidance
- Additional Resources for Businesses (Wilmington Chamber of Commerce)
- Coronavirus Relief Options (US Small Business Administration)
Business & Employer Resources
- Financial Support for Small Businesses – Information for small businesses about loans and other financial assistance available from state sources
- Unemployment Insurance – Information and frequently asked questions for employers related to COVID-19 and unemployment insurance
- IT & Cybersecurity – Resources and assistance from trusted state vendors, free and affordable internet service offerings, as well as cybersecurity tips for teleworking, video conferencing and avoiding phishing scams
- More Business Resources – Find out about supply chain, business counseling services and more from the N.C. Department of Commerce
The Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) is a central point for businesses to reach out in the event they need assistance. The BEOC also serves as a connection between the New Hanover County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and businesses that might have goods or services needed by the EOC to perform their duties. The BEOC was formed after Hurricane Florence with the hope that no businesses fall through the cracks during any future disasters in our area.
The Wilmington Chamber is serving as the key partner with the county to set up the Business EOC. The dedicated phone number for the BEOC is 910-762-2611. The email address is businesseoc@wilmingtonchamber.org.
Full-service restaurants may now apply for assistance through the Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief Program administered by the NC Department of Commerce. Restaurants can apply for up to four months of rent or mortgage interest capped at $20,000 per location, for up to two locations. Learn more at NCCommerce.com/murr.
Reopening & Safety Guidance
- Count On Me NC – Business training and a mutual pledge initiative to help keep everyone safe and protected
- Interim Guidance for Restaurants (NC Department of Health and Human Services)
- Checklist for Reopening (NCDHHS)
- Fact Sheet: What Can You Do? Tips for Restaurants
- Guidance for Drive-thru & Curbside Operations (New Hanover County)
- Guidance for Drive-thru & Curbside Operations (Spanish) (New Hanover County)
- Cleaning vs. Sanitizing (English & Spanish)
Learn about the Small Business Grant Program that distributed $1.3 million in awards to local businesses in June.
