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
By Christina Mullins July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
By Erik Seagrave July 15, 2026
Learn how Guarantee Restoration Services provides expert reconstruction services in Mobile, AL after water, fire, storm, and property damage. (
By Christina Mullins July 8, 2026
Behind every successful restoration project is a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping customers recover after disaster strikes. This month, we're introducing Jerome Etienne , a technician at our Baton Rouge office whose hard work and honesty make him a valued member of the Guarantee Restoration Services team. From Forklift Driver to Restoration Technician Jerome is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana , and joined Guarantee Restoration Services in September 2024 . Before beginning his career in restoration, he worked as a forklift driver. Since joining GRS, Jerome has embraced the hands-on nature of restoration work and takes pride in helping prepare properties for the rebuilding process. Finding Satisfaction in Demolition Work. When asked what he enjoys most about working at GRS, Jerome didn't hesitate. He enjoys working on demolition projects, where every job presents a new challenge and plays an important role in restoring a property after damage. Removing damaged materials safely and efficiently helps lay the foundation for the next phase of the restoration process, making demolition one of the most critical steps in recovery. Living the Core Value of Honesty Of GRS's five core values, Honesty is the one that resonates most with Jerome. "I believe people appreciate knowing the truth, especially after their property has been damaged. Being honest, dependable, and transparent helps build trust and shows our customers they can count on us from start to finish." Jerome believes honest communication helps reassure customers during stressful situations while building lasting trust throughout the restoration process. Advice for New Team Members Jerome's advice for anyone starting a career in restoration is straightforward. "Follow what the Lead Tech says. You'll learn everything you need to know." By staying willing to learn and trusting experienced team members, new technicians can quickly build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field. Outside of Work When he's off the clock, Jerome enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether he's fishing or visiting the gun range, he enjoys activities that allow him to unwind after the work week. A Childhood Dream As a kid, Jerome dreamed of owning a food truck. While his career path eventually led him to restoration, that entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic continue to shine through in everything he does. Thank You, Jerome! We're proud to have Jerome as part of the Guarantee Restoration Services family. His dedication, honesty, and willingness to tackle every challenge help make a difference for both our customers and our team every day. Interested in Joining the GRS Team? At Guarantee Restoration Services, we're always looking for hardworking individuals who share our commitment to excellence, honesty, efficiency, and partnership. If you're interested in building a rewarding career with a team that makes a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers page to learn more about current opportunities and become part of the GRS family.
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