LONG ISLAND, NY — Relief for small businesses buckling under the strain of coronavirus restrictions may soon be on the way.
In a call with the media Thursday, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Bellone said the federal government has just issued an emergency declaration to provide disaster loan assistance to small businesses.
The declaration opens the door for the U.S. Small Business Administration to make disaster loans available to both small businesses and private, nonprofit organizations in New York state, including Suffolk County, Rep. Lee Zeldin said.
SBA financial disaster loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital financial support to small businesses to help deal with temporary loss of revenue — loans can be used to pay fixed debt, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid due to the disaster, Zeldin explained.
“Over 99% of businesses across the country are small businesses and, employing nearly 50% of our entire workforce, the health and vitality of our local small businesses is critical to our entire way of life,” he said. Zeldin. “This critical support for our local small businesses will help ensure that they and the Long Islanders who rely on them emerge stronger than ever on the other side of the coronavirus outbreak.”
To determine eligibility and apply, click here.
Additionally, work continues on a county business response plan, Bellone said, with the creation of a county business services unit. Business owners who need help should call 311. Suffolk County business owners affected by COVID-19 should take the business impact survey at suffolkcountyny.gov/bru or call 311, he said.
