Greetings:
As we continue to get through this pandemic together, I wanted to ensure you that my promise has always been to deliver information that your business can use. This month's newsletter continues to follow the theme of services and resources.
Just this past Tuesday, Mayor Strickland announced that our first 9 businesses under the Economic Hardship Emergency (EHE) loan had been approved. I am excited to share a list of those businesses below.
During the early weeks of May, be on the lookout as we launch our second micro-loan program: The Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund. This fund will allow businesses to borrow up to $35,000 with a delayed repayment feature for 90 days.
Our virtual classes have been a huge success, and the OBDC team and community partners will continue to build up the list of monthly offerings. The feedback and responses that we have received truly echo the statement that we are stronger together.
I want you to know, that as always, my team and I are here to advocate for you and provide guidance. So many things have changed, but OBDC remains a constant resource for all small, minority and women-owned businesses in the Memphis Statistical Area (MSA).
We have packed this newsletter with information we hope you will find useful.
#WeMeanBusiness #ReadyBusiness
Sincerely,
Director Joann Massey
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Memphis COVID-19 Updates
Stay up to date with Memphis COVID-19 updates and current CDC recommendations here
Keep up with Mayor Strickland's daily COVID-19 updates here
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 Getting back to business, safely
Working through the Joint COVID-19 Task Force, Shelby County government, the City of Memphis, and the six suburban municipalities have implemented proactive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. These measures have helped mitigate the progression of the disease locally.
While the community should remain vigilant about adhering to social distancing guidelines and hygiene practices, local government must also evaluate measures that help alleviate some burdens on the economy.
Back to Business is a data-driven phased approach to reopening the economy in Shelby County and is driven by indicators (measurements of the status of the pandemic) and conditions (measurements of our capacity to deal with the pandemic).
Please click on each document below to read more about the framework and compliant protocol to help return Memphis and Shelby County back to business.
First Round of EHE Loans Approved
On Tuesday, Mayor Strickland announced the first round of the Economic Hardship Emergency (EHE)–$30,000 in loans—has been approved for the following businesses:
City of Memphis Micro-Loan Program
These micro-loan programs will assist Memphis businesses experiencing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no fees to apply.
Economic Hardship Emergency Loan Fund
Open to all for-profit industries except, non-profit, government, religious or retail.
Criteria:
- Loan amount range $2,000-$5,000, with no interest for 6 months
- Primary Residence & Business located within City of Memphis
- Less than 1 million in revenue
- At least 3 years in business
- Must be certified with the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance (OBDC)
- Must complete a one-on-one consultation with an OBDC Business Navigator
Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund
Must follow the HUD guidelines for compliance with small business lending.
Criteria:
- Must be denied by the SBA or an SBA Lender (proof required)
- Loan amount range $5,000-$35,000, with a delayed repayment for 90 days
- Primary Business located within City of Memphis distressed communities
- At least 3 years in business
- Must be certified w/the City of Memphis OBDC
- Must complete a one-on-one consultation with an OBDC Business Navigator and participate in ongoing financial literacy training through OBDC at least 1 class a year for the life of the loan
To Get Started Contact:
The City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance by phone at 901-636-9300 or email Jerry Brack, Loan Administrator, at jerry.brack@memphistn.gov
The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected small businesses everywhere and especially in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. The EDGE Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED) Grant was created to provide relief to neighborhood-serving businesses in our city's most distressed areas. Grants of up to $10,000 will be made to businesses located in New Markets Tax Credit Eligible Census Tracks throughout the City of Memphis that have experienced at least a 25% loss in revenue as a result of COVID-19.
Download the application here and email completed form to NEED@growth-engine.org to initiate the process.
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Greater Memphis Business Resource Center
The Greater Memphis Chamber is committed to providing Business Guidance on COVID-19 for our business community.
Stay in the know with up-to-date information, tools and resources to help minimize the impact of COVID-19-related disruption
Click here for more information
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Search tool for SBA Lenders
Click here to search for SBA approved lenders able to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
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Learn how to calculate payroll by industry with detailed step by step guidance through a tool listed on the Treasury Department's website. Click here to access
Stay connected with the Treasury Department's most recent PPP updates here
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Need help filling out an application for relief??
The Office of Business Diversity & Compliance in partnership with TSBDC – Southwest has professionals on staff to assist small business owners with completing any federal application for disaster relief funds and compiling the necessary documents for submission.
Contact OBDC by phone at 901-636-9300 or 901-636-6210 during regular business hours or by email at bdcinfo@memphistn.gov.
TSBDC can be reached online at TSBDC.org or by email at swtcc@tsbdc.org.
#WeMeanBusiness #ReadyBusiness
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WANT TO LEARN HOW TO COMPLETE A STRONG PPP APPLICATION???
Last week I participated in an exciting webinar hosted by the National Development Council (NDC) entitled: Helping Entrepreneurs Complete Strong PPP Applications.
NDC has now allowed access to the webinar and presentation slides here.
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Calling All Small Business Owners:
Looking to transform your business' service delivery model?
If you said yes, please sign up to join the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity & Compliance and other partners as Amazon.com hosts a webinar on "How to Successfully Sell in Amazon Stores Online."
Thank you to the Greater Memphis Chamber for inviting us to join.
Click here to learn more.
#WeMeanBusiness #ReadyBusiness
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Want To Become a Developer???
The Memphis Chapter of the Urban Land Institute in partnership with the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity & Compliance and others is offering: The ULI Memphis’ Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDi)
The ULI Memphis’ Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDi) helps emerging developers learn about what it takes to put together a successful development.
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Who Should Apply?
*The ideal participant will be working in the real estate industry, have an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
*People working in the real estate industry interested in becoming a Developer and/or Owner of projects.
*Those working in the real estate industry who want to understand the big picture of real estate development.
The 2020 Fall Class will run August – December
Click here to learn more and apply today!
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NEW LOOK. SAME COMMITMENT
BBA is excited to share some new and innovating things they've been working on. Here's a glimpse into what they've done and what you can expect from YOUR Black Business Association Memphis:
- NEW website
- NEW resources, podcasts, and social media content
- NEW events, incl. Beauty Week (coming Fall, 2020)
- NEW ways to engage our members and community
- NEW BI-Monthly Newsletter
- NEW Featured BBA Member of the Month
Click here for more details & join BBA today!
BBA's Mission is to improve the economic well-being of the Memphis region by developing successful entrepreneurs through education, advocacy and business development.
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Love Memphis-Buy Memphis
Buy 901 is a FREE directory of MWSBE businesses that posses a variety of skills and trades. It's easy to use, and searchable by business name, skill/trade, and ownership!
Visit Buy901.net to support local businesses!
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How To Submit Bids Online - City of Memphis
Date: Friday, May 1, 2020
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: Online Webinar
HOW TO SUBMIT BIDS ONLINE - CITY OF MEMPHIS" is a City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance webinar designed to help entrepreneurs increase business effectiveness in key areas.
Description: Join us Friday, May 1, 2020 at 10 am as Joann Massey, Director of the Office of Business Diversity & Compliance introduces Cedric Hamilton who will facilitate “How to Submit Bids Online”.
In this time of social distancing OBDC wants to ensure that all businesses interested in doing business with the City of Memphis are well versed on how to submit bids via the City's eProcurement system.
One tap mobile
The first 100 business owners will be able to view the webinar.
A replay will be available at a later date.
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Government Contracting: Bid Estimating
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: Location: Online Webinar
This 90 minute webinar will cover some basics related to pricing a government contract. Some areas covered are:
- Key areas of the solicitation
- Estimating direct costs
- Estimating indirect costs
- Fee Considerations
- Alignment with technical volume
- Audit readiness
Speaker(s): UT-PTAC and Laura Davis, Strategic Consulting Solutions, Inc.
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Networking Now - Finding the Opportunities and Planning for Recovery
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Time: 10:00 am to 11:15 am
Location: Location: Online Webinar
"NETWORKING NOW - FINDING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND PLANNING FOR RECOVERY" is a City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance workshop designed to help entrepreneurs increase business effectiveness in key areas.
Description: Are you ready to emerge from COVID-19 and restart 2020 with more referrals than you've ever had in your business? Is it time for you to find the right opportunities to get your business going again? If you answered YES!, this workshop is for you.
Join Jana Cardona, Executive Director of BNI Midsouth, for a focused hour of getting your business ready to market and refer in a bigger way.
This is a can't miss workshop if you want guided assistance in marketing and referrals for a fantastic restart!
Networking Now - Finding the Opportunities and Planning for Recovery
Topics Discussed:
- Is waiting it out an option?
- Work on rather than in your business right now - create your plan
- False assumptions we operate under regarding referrals
- Stop prospecting - Build relationships -
- Expand your network -- Generate a true referral pipeline
- Never assume people know how to refer. Teach exactly who and what you are looking for
- Major requirements to build a referral pipeline
Workshop Leader: Jana Cardona, Executive Director of BNI Midsouth
Jana Cardona is a coach, trainer, and facilitator in Business Network International (BNI). She has a keen ear to identify what business owners need to market clearly and effectively for big results. Her years of experience in helping entrepreneurs find the missing piece is part of the reason she is so successful in marketing and referral circles.
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Government Contracting 101
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Location: Online Webinar
Attendees learn about how contracting with the Federal Government can open the door to many opportunities for small business and can aid in a company’s growth. This seminar covers the basics of government contracting, what it takes to be a government contractor, and an overview of the steps to get started. Attendees will determine if the government is purchasing their products and services. Registration is required. Space is limited.
Speaker(s): UT-PTAC and Laura Davis, Strategic Consulting Solutions, Inc.
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How to Restart Your Business after COVID-19
Date: Friday May 29, 2020
Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Location: Location: Online Webinar
HOW TO RESTART YOUR BUSINESS AFTER COVID-19 is a TSBDC and City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance webinar designed to help entrepreneurs increase business effectiveness in key areas.
Description: Join us Friday, May 29, 2020 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM as the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and the Office of Business Diversity and Compliance join together to help rebuild your business after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar is designed for existing small business who were directly affected by COVID-19 and have temporarily shut down. The online course helps small business owners understand how to relaunch a business. It includes strategies for changing a business model, financing options and tools for operating in an online virtual environment. Registration is required.
Speaker: Dr. NaShawn Branch, TSBDC
If you have questions you would like answered in advance, please email them to taylor.tagg@memphistn.gov and the group will get them answered for you on the webinar.
The first 100 business owners will be able to view the webinar.
NOTE: This workshop will be held as an online webinar co-hosted by the TSBDC and the Office of Business Diversity and Compliance.
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 Interested in getting certified with the City of Memphis? Contact our office at (901) 636-6210 to meet with one of our Certification Analysts.
Title VI Updates
The Office of Business Diversity & Compliance Director Joann Massey is also designated as the Title VI Coordinator for the City of Memphis. In this role, the Title VI Coordinator has the responsibility for collecting data surveys, evaluations, and other pertinent documentation in accordance with Title VI regulations. Additionally, the Title VI Coordinator represents the City of Memphis during on-site reviews by the respective entities and officers. Information flows from the Title VI Coordinator to the respective entities and officers to ensure accuracy and compliance with program requirements. It is also the responsibility of the Title VI Coordinator to verify and implement the City of Memphis’ Title VI Compliance and Implementation Plan.
What is Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under a program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Click to continue reading.
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Office of Business Diversity & Compliance
City of Memphis – City Hall (Main Office)
125 North Main, Room 546
Memphis, TN 38103
Office: (901) 636-6210
Fax: (901) 636-6560
or
City of Memphis – Entrepreneurs Network Center
480 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Ave
Memphis, TN 38126
Office: (901) 636-9300
Website: Click Here
“We Mean Business”
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“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”-Aristotle
Joann Massey, Director
Lutricia Davis, Executive Assistant (City Hall)
Marie Shaw, Administrative Assistant (ENC)
Compliance
Andrew DeShazo, Esq., Compliance Manager
Marcina Egedebge, Contract Compliance Analyst
Roshunda Buchanan, Contract Compliance Analyst
Valesia Johnson, Intern
Certification
Standley Brady, Esq., Certification Manager
Tabitha Veazey, Certification Analyst
Business Services
Ashley Robinson, Operations Mrg. & Outreach & Engagement
Taylor Tagg, Business Services Coordinator Sr.
Guadalupe Reyes, Business Services Coordinator
Dante Robichaux, Creative Strategist
Jacobi Washington, Intern
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