Get Back to Business: Resources for Assistance

Two new funding opportunities were created to help Downtown Wilmington DE establishments get back to business after the past few months.

Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)

The Delaware Department of Justice created the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program for businesses that were damaged or vandalized following the peaceful demonstrations. VCAP can assist Delawareans with crime scene cleanups (up to $1,000) and personal safety property (up to $1,500).  If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call VCAP at (302) 255-1770.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund

To support small businesses citywide that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, Barclays US Consumer Bank, Cornerstone West, and Wilmington Alliance are announced The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund. Through a public-private partnership, local economic development organizations have joined forces to ensure Wilmington businesses will remain open for years to come.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund will offer grants of approximately $1,000 to small businesses located in the City of Wilmington to cover specific expenses such as rent payments, mortgage payments, utility and supplier bills. The fund will not only build the capacity of small businesses to recover from the impact of COVID-19, but also build out a community-driven network to serve Wilmington’s favorite shops, restaurants, stores and cafes citywide.

The first round of applications are being accepted through midnight tonight (6/8/2020), with additional rounds to follow shortly after. The application is available in English and Spanish. For questions or more information, please email GLantieri@westsidegrows.org.

The Wilmington Strong Fund is also accepting individual donations. If you would like to support our Downtown Business community, please click the link below.

Image Credit: Moonloop Photography

Crisis Resources for Small Business Owners

Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

To assist hospitality-related businesses in Delaware that have been economically impacted by COVID-19, the Division of Small Business has launched the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP). This program makes available no-interest loans of up to $10,000 per business per month and is open to businesses with less than $1.5 million in annual revenue and have been operating for at least 12 months.

The loans are intended to help the estimated 2,700 affected Delaware businesses in the hospitality industry cover immediate, unavoidable expenses over the next few months.

Small Business Assistance

Delaware was approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans assist small businesses, nonprofits and more, in meeting ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as the result of a disaster, in this case, COVID-19.

You can apply for a loan through the program here and to view terms of the loans, interest rates and more, please visit this site.

Please gather or complete these materials for your application which will be available online later this week.

Unemployment Update

The Department of Labor announced adjustments in unemployment rules for hospitality workers due to COVID-19. These adjustments will permit hospitality employees to earn part-time income while collecting benefits, provided employees can demonstrate decreased hours and earnings. The Department of Labor is working to make benefits available within one week of a claim being received.

Learn more here.

Free Resources for Small Businesses

Downtown Visions mission is to create, manage, and promote a quality environment for business development within our neighborhood by providing small business assistance through various initiatives. We strive to inform our community of the free resources available to them by a number of local and national agencies. If you have any questions on starting, or growing, your businesses in Downtown Wilmington DE, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Delaware Division of Small Business

The Delaware Division of Small Business, part of the Delaware Department of State, is a service-focused agency committed to supporting businesses starting and growing in Delaware. Small businesses can reach out to the Division for assistance in connecting to the resources and advice to succeed. The Division is a champion for Delaware small businesses and is here to help take companies to the next level.

• Features an online portal to find and connect to organizations in Delaware who assist small businesses. Click here to visit portal.

The Division of Small Business also EDGE grants to eligible businesses to encourage development, growth, and expansion. The EDGE Grant program gives qualified small businesses in Delaware an edge by offering access to significant capital like never before. The business must have been in operation less than 5 years. This will give them access to capital up to $50,000 for the Entrepreneur Class and $100,000 for Stem based companies!

• The deadline is Friday, February 28, 2020.

• For more information, click here.

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

NCCCC hosts “Open For Business” sessions on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 am - 11:30 am for small business owners to meet with representatives from their partner organizations. Collectively, these organizations provide a range of services that help start-ups advance their business model, reach potential customers, land government contracts, secure loans, meet state regulatory requirements and generally mentor entrepreneurs striking out on their own for the first time.

• Next event is Tuesday, February 25, 2020 located at 920 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE.

• The event is free, registration is suggested. To register, click here.

Downtown Merchant Meetings

Downtown Visions also hosts Downtown Merchant Meetings one Tuesday a month for business owners within the Central Business District share ideas and connect with each other.

• The next Merchant Meeting is at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Stitch House Brewery.

America Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program

American Express® is teaming up with Main Street America to give 10 small business owners $10,000 each to help their businesses innovate in this evolving retail landscape. The American Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program will celebrate small businesses across the country that are a vital part of their community. The program is intended to support small businesses that have demonstrated new approaches to traditional business strategies and those businesses looking to try out creative techniques, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic commercial districts.

• The deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

• For more information, click here.

• To see if your businesses is location within one of Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts (DDD), click here.

Vote Now: Best of Delaware 2020!

Every year, Delaware Today Magazine issues the Best of Delaware edition to spotlight local Delaware businesses in a variety of categories, ranging from food & drink to retail & services, that leave a lasting impression on their patrons. Readers and editors vote to recognize their favorite local establishments for their top-notch service and high-quality products.

Voting is now open for Delaware Today’s 2020 Best of Delaware class! To vote for you favorite Downtown Wilmington businesses, visit delawaretoday.com/vote and follow these simple rules:

1) Please limit your votes to Delaware-based businesses—no national chains
2) Businesses cannot incentivize votes with discounts, etc.
3) Votes originating from identical IP addresses will not be counted.
4) Please fill in the name and town of the business.
5) Please fill out at least 5 categories.
6) The Ballot closes on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.
7) A special series of run-off voting will take place for the top vote-getters in the Food & Drink and Health & Beauty categories starting Feb. 3 and going weekly through March 15.

The results will be published in the July 2020 issue of Delaware Today and will be celebrated during their annual Best of Delaware Party, happening July 23, 2020 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.

Last year, 18 Downtown Wilmington businesses were awarded the Best of Delaware title all thanks to locals like you who voted for them. Spread the word about all of the great places in Downtown Wilmington DE and vote now!

Learn from Successful Entrepreneurs at Delaware Libraries!

Locations:

All the workshops are available simultaneously using their video conferencing system at the six participating libraries:

• Bear Public Library, 101 Governors Pl, Bear, DE 19701

• Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901

• Georgetown Public Library, 123 W. Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

• Milton Public Library, 121 Union St, Milton, DE 19968

• Wilmington Public Library, 10 & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE 19801

• Woodlawn Public Library, 2020 W 9th St, Wilmington, DE 19805

 *There is an anomaly that the October 18 workshop: So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur will not be available at Georgetown and Milton due to a county-wide library staff training session that will close all the Sussex County libraries.

Maintain Your Sanity Through Your Workday!
October 11, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 

Take a few deep breaths while you practice some efficient and effective mental hygiene exercises to make the quick mental adjustment that will maintain your sanity through the ups and downs of the typical workday. Identify the state of mind that offers you the power, ease and freedom to be at your best and learn how to make it your default setting. Whether you regularly practice meditation or are a beginner, tips from Mia Muratori, MFA, RTA, Behavioral Dynamics Consultant will help you maintain your meditation muscle to improve your day. 


So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur 
 October 18, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(Georgetown and Milton Libraries closed)

This introduction to small business ownership is part of the series SCORE at the Inspiration Space to assist aspiring entrepreneurs anticipating the start of a new venture. SCORE volunteer, Tom Ziemianski will test to see if you’re cut out to be an entrepreneur and explore the viability and challenges associated with starting a business.
 

Numbers You Need to Know
October 25, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 

Budget, break-even point and cash flow. You have probably heard those terms but may not understand what they mean, why they are important and how to compute them. Knowing these numbers can make the difference between a successful or failing business. Join Jim Whisman of Colonial Financial & Tax Services, LLC to learn why you need to know these numbers to manage your business and get step-by-step instructions for the calculations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Janet Wurtzel.