Business Resources for COVID-19 & Our Commitment to the Raleigh Business Community

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Dear Raleigh Business Community, 

 

You are the vibrant, cultural soul to the Raleigh community. Our team, and the City of Raleigh as a whole, are dedicated to supporting you during these challenging times. We continue to monitor guidance from federal, state, and local public health and economic development authorities. As information continues to evolve we are updating the Economic Development COVID-19 page to provide the most up-to-date resources related to the business community. The resource page includes: 

 

Small Business Q&A 

On March 16 we held a small business listening session to learn about what questions and concerns the small business community regarding COVID-19. Over 100 businesses attended and a Q&A page provides responses those questions. We are updating that page as we get more information, so please check back often. View the listening session on YouTube. 

 

 NC Governor Executive Order 118 Limiting Restaurant and Bar Operations 

On March 17, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 118 that limits the operations of restaurants and bars to providing carry-out, delivery, and curbside pick-up.  

 

 City of Raleigh’s Response to Limiting Restaurant and Bar Operations 

In response to Executive Order 118, the City of Raleigh’s Parking Division has created Temporary Curbside Pickup Zones throughout Raleigh to support quick stops at local businesses for takeout services and other small deliveries. Raleigh Parking will create about 100 pickup zones, beginning March 18. The zones will be placed near businesses for such things as pickup of restaurant takeout and delivery orders. View the map of the pickup zones. New spots can be requested by emailing Raleigh Parking.   

 

 NC Governor Executive Order 118 Unemployment Insurance and Benefits 

On March 17, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 118 that included information about unemployment insurance and benefits which: 

  1. Removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment
  2. Removes the requirement to look for another job while on unemployment
  3. Allows reduction in work hours to be considered for unemployment
  4. Allows applicants to apply by phone or online; in-person not required
  5. Removes the employer’s responsibility to pay for COVID-19-related unemployment claims

 The NC Employment Security Commission is available at (888) 737-0259 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for information related to unemployment benefits.

 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans & Resources 

SBA loans are now available for COVID-19 Economic Injury. Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 may contact the SBA or Business Link of North Carolina (BLNC) for questions related to possible government assistance. More information can be found on the Small Business COVID-19 Q&A page.  The SBA North Carolina District and its three satellite offices can be reached at:    

  • SBA Triangle North Carolina Office – Raleigh - Patrick Rodriguez, SBA Senior Area Manager, 919-532-5525  
  • SBA Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina Office – Wilmington, Don Spry, SBA Senior Area Manager, 910-398-0746   
  • SBA Asheville and Western North Carolina Office – Asheville, Sharon Harvey, SBA Senior Area Manager, 202-805-8947  

Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is a free service for small businesses in North Carolina. Working in partnership with the NC Department of Commerce, BLNC offers confidential one-on-one phone consultations with small business owners. To reach a BLNC business counselor Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., call (800) 228-8443 or contact them online. 

  

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is a local resource available to provide management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses and is available to help small businesses with questions regarding SBA loans and the application process. 

 

Raleigh SCORE is another local resource available to help small businesses through the SBA loan process.  

 

EDPNC 

Economic Development Partnership of NC COVID-19 Resource Guide. 

 

 NC 211  

Dial 2-1-1 to get connected to resources in your community and text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive alerts about COVID-19 updates in North Carolina. 

 

Small Business Tips & Resources 

Continue to follow the health recommendations for businesses provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. If you have specific questions about COVID-19 and your risk, you can email covid19.questions@wakegov.com or call 919-856-7044. 

 

The City of Raleigh Planning and Development Services Department is making changes to zoning and permitting. Stay up-to-date here. 

 

Raleigh has many local economic development partners that the Office of Economic Development and Innovation collaborates with to ensure the needs of the business community are met, especially in times of uncertainty. Several of these partners have created resources for how the community can support small businesses during these unprecedented events. Learn more about these and other resources provided by the local, state, and federal government agencies by visiting the Economic Development COVID-19 page.