For those impacted by COVID-19 - Steps you can take NOW:

Common Issues Small Businesses May Encounter:

• Capital Access – Incidents can strain a small business's financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Businesses should prepare by exploring and testing their capital access options so they have what they need when they need it.  See SBA’s capital access resources.
• Workforce Capacity – Incidents have just as much impact on your workers as they do your clientele. It’s critical to ensure they have the ability to fulfill their duties while protected.
• Inventory and Supply Chain Shortfalls – While the possibility could be remote, it is a prudent preparedness measure to ensure you have either adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period and/or diversify your distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.
• Facility Remediation/Clean-up Costs – Depending on the incident, there may be a need to enhance the protection of customers and staff by increasing the frequency and intensity by which your business conducts cleaning of surfaces frequently touched by occupants and visitors. Check your maintenance contracts and supplies of cleaning materials to ensure they can meet increases in demand.
• Insurance Coverage Issues – Many businesses have business interruption insurance; Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.
• Changing Market Demand – Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.
• Marketing – It’s critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business. Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.
• Get Online - We will be hosting several webinars to instruct businesses on how they can start or improve their presence online. If you are a local Corpus Christi business, be sure to submit your shop on www.supportcorpuschristi.com to be listed in their shop directory (this website has been created by Nikki Riojas with the Women's Entrepreneur Society: Corpus Christi and fellow local business leaders.) Submission is free.

Coronavirus Funding Options - SBA Disaster Loans:

Contact Your Local SBDC:

The advisors here at the Del Mar College SBDC are available to virtually assist you with your SBA Business Disaster Loan Assistance documents. Contact your current Business Advisor or if you are not yet a client of our center, CLICK HERE to request advising. Remember that all of our advising services are at no-cost and confidential.

Affected Counties covered by Del Mar College SBDC: Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Brooks

If you reside in the Victoria area or surrounding counties, University of Houston-Victoria SBDC Advisors are available to assist you with your SBA Business Disaster Loan Assistance documents. Contact your current Business Advisor or the SBDC office at (361) 485-4485 or sbdc@uhv.edu.

Affected Counties covered by UHV SBDC: Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Refugio, Victoria 

Additional Guides and Resources

• Coronavirus Funding Options
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• Local Assistance
• Join the SBA's Relief Efforts
• SBA Products and Resources
• Government Contracting