Grant Funding Still Available For COVID-19

Kristen Schmitz • October 14, 2020

Since the beginning of March, the entire world has faced unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. Businesses, both large and small, were forced to either shut down completely or severely cut back their hours and lay-off or furlough their employees. Over the past 7 plus months, many people who have worked their whole lives to own a business, had to close their doors for good. While many companies struggle to “stay afloat,” there has been grant funding, both at the federal level, as well as state and local governments that have issued assistance. In addition, bigger corporations and foundations have also offered financial resources. Even a small amount of aid can help businesses keep their doors open.


Unfortunately, many programs that were previously available are no longer accepting applications because of the volumes received. The need is greater than the aid available. When considering a new blog topic, we thought that these resources could help you or someone you know. If you are one of the 30 million small business owners in the U.S., you might benefit from one of the programs below.


GRANT FUNDING: FEDERAL AND OTHER NATIONAL AID


United States Small Business Administration


This federal agency, also known as the SBA, is providing grants and low-interest loans to small-business owners who have been affected because of the coronavirus.


  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – These loans have advances up to $10,000, interest rates of 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere, and interest rates of 2.75% for non-profits. There are long-term repayment options on these loans of up to 30 years.
  • Express Bridge Loans – These loans are available to small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender. These loans are up to $25,000.
  • PRIME (Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs) – This program provides a variety of grants for small businesses, especially women-owned or minority-owned businesses.


LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) and Lowe’s


  • Rural Relief Small Business Grants – Small businesses located in rural communities (populations of 50,000 or less) are eligible. There are 4 remaining rounds of application submission dates.


Comcast Corporation’s RISE (Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment)


  • These grants will roll out in waves.
  • According to the initiative’s website, it is a “multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to qualifying small businesses owned by underrepresented groups, beginning with a focus on Black-owned businesses.”


GoFundMe


The fundraising platform has started the Small Business Relief Fund and will match up to $500 raised per business. GoFundMe has partnered with Yelp, Intuit QuickBooks, Bill.com and GoDaddy to provide owners with grants and resources. These businesses have donated $500,000 each to the fund.


THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has put together resources for businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. Through Mississippi Legislature’s House Bill 1799 and Senate Bill 3047, MEMA was given $70 million of CARES Act money to help counties and municipalities with their COVID-19 expenses. The state previously offered the Back to Business Mississippi grant program, but the application period is now closed. Additional counseling and resources are still available for small businesses through the Mississippi Small Business Development Center.



THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

Similarly to Mississippi, the Louisiana Economic Development organization has a plethora of up-to-date information for businesses facing the effects of COVID-19. This list includes safety information, as well as grants and other helpful resources. The LED also provided contact form to get updates. Additional funds are on-going approval and being discussed in the Louisiana state legislature. Here are some specific state of Louisiana programs:


  • Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program – This program is providing loans up to $100K. Eligible small business owners may apply to one of the local banks and credit unions that have agreed to participate.
  • Louisiana Main Street Recovery Program – Although this program has stopped taking applications, there are still resources on this website. Applications for small businesses located in Lake Charles are open until October 31, 2020.
  • Louisiana Small Business Development – Multiple offices are located throughout the state to help consult small businesses.


THERE WHEN YOU NEED US MOST

Finally, with 4 locations and about 140 employees, Guarantee Restoration Services is considered a small business, so we certainly understand how difficult these times are. That’s why we work with our partners to find affordable, cost-effective solutions in order to provide COVID-19 cleaning or any of our other services. We also wanted to give you some grant funding resources if applicable to your business. If your home or business needs coronavirus cleaning, contact me at kristens@guaranteerestoration.net or connect with me on LinkedIn.

CONTACT US

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!

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By Zack Klein • May 5, 2026
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