We are working hard to support our southwest Minnesota businesses and know there is a lot of information being shared about state and federal funds. Please note that Southwest Initiative Foundation is NOT a Paycheck Protection Program lender.
Watch out for fraudulent activity! Please be cautious when opening emails, files and sharing any personal information online.
- If you receive a message from one of our Southwest Initiative Foundation staff that you’re not expecting, proceed with caution.
- If you are working with a member of our staff and receive a suspicious message, do not open it and delete it immediately. Our staff will include their contact information and signature line in their correspondence to you. If you’re unsure about a message, contact our staff before opening attachments, sharing personal information or forwarding/responding the message.
As you seek assistance for your business or employees, please be sure to confirm you are accessing a credible source or contact. We are aware that at least one business was contacted by a firm using our name that does not represent us. Southwest Initiative Foundation is NOT working with any private consulting firms or other businesses to solicit customers, submit applications, or underwrite loans on behalf of Southwest Initiative Foundation. If any of your businesses get a call or email from a third party saying they are working with Southwest Initiative Foundation for a disaster finance program, they should hang up or delete the email, and not share any information. Then please contact us to report the incident.
COVID-19 Business Relief Payments: Aid for Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, and Bowling Centers
The Minnesota Department of Revenue will send COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to eligible businesses under an economic relief package signed into law December 16. Eligible business owners do not need to take any action to receive this aid. Eligibility and payment amounts will be determined based on program requirements in the law. Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website
Please Note: Southwest Initiative Foundation is NOT playing a role in the process for distributing the aid from the COVID 19 Business Relief Bill. If you have questions, contact information for the Minnesota Department of Revenue is listed online here.
Stay Safe Messaging for Businesses
DEED has designed several images to encouraging wearing masks to keep businesses open. The files below are available for businesses to download and use.
COVID-19 Business Preparedness Plan Templates
Business preparedness plans will help businesses re-open while keeping employees and customers safe. Find downloadable business preparedness plan templates and other resources from the Minnesota Department of Labor.
Info from SBA, Partners and Sister Agencies
Southwest Initiative Foundation continues to share additional resources as they become available. Please note this is not an all-inclusive list.
- The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has a COVID-19 Business Toolkit as well as a local database of business relief programs.
- Minnesota DEED COVID-19 webpage with Minnesota specific information to help small businesses
- Minnesota Unemployment Insurance COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors
- SBA Resource Partners no-cost, one-on-one business counseling regarding COVID-19
- SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 resources
- WomenVenture COVID-19 Update Hub
Federal Program Info
- You can view relevant federal agency resources, access the latest news, and search for a Small Business Advisor near you online. Visit the Federal Resources for U.S. Small Businesses page.
- For information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus or https://www.usa.gov/espanol/coronavirus (en Español).
- The IRS has established a web page to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
- The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus, including use of Family Medical Leave
- New guidance outlines flexibility states have in administering their unemployment insurance programs to help Americans affected by coronavirus.
