COVID-19 Resources 

Code Green: ND moves from Moderate Risk to Low Risk

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Gov. Doug Burgum announced North Dakota is moving to the next phase of its ND Smart Restart plan, as the state continues to see a high rate of testing per capita, a low positive test rate and adequate hospital capacity to handle potential surges in COVID-19 cases.

Under the color-coded health guidance system in the ND Smart Restart plan, the change announced today moves the state out of the yellow, or moderate, risk level, and into the green, or low-risk, level – one level before the blue “new normal” level.

With the move from the moderate to low risk level:

  • The recommendation for capacity in bars and restaurants increases from 50 percent to 75 percent.

  • The recommendation for banquets/weddings increases from 50 percent occupancy up to 250 attendees, to 75 percent occupancy up to 500 attendees.

  • Recommended movie theater capacity increases from 20 percent to 65 percent.

  • Fitness centers may consider holding classes with high inhalation/exhalation exchange with social distancing, whereas those classes were not recommended under the yellow level.

Burgum reiterated that the ND Smart Restart protocols are recommendations under Executive Order 2020-06.7, and North Dakotans are strongly encouraged to follow them. Businesses and organizations may move forward under the guidelines based on their own comfort level and ability to meet the recommended protocols.

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The Bank of ND has new COVID loan programs. All of the BND Business lending programs work with local lenders as the borrower’s first point of contact. The local lender initiates the loan application with BND on behalf of the borrower. Complete information is available at: https://bnd.nd.gov/business/

 

The SELF: Small Employer Loan Fund is for very small ND businesses (10 or less FTE) with negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

https://bnd.nd.gov/pdf/Small-Employer-Loan-Fund-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

The CPRP: COVID-19 PACE Recovery Program provides low interest loans to ND businesses with negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

https://bnd.nd.gov/pdf/COVID-19-PACE-Recovery-Program-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Stop #1—Your Local Bank

Your Local Bank.  If the company has a loan with its local bank, this is the first stop.  It is the most knowledgeable about your situation and how to assist your specific needs.
 
Stop #2—SBA Small Business Disaster Loan
With passage of the supplemental appropriation, the SBA was provided funding to distribute through their disaster relief program.  These loans can be used for the following purposes. 

  • Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid due to the disaster’s impact. 

  • Up to $2 million per business

  • 3.75% interest rate for small business and 2.75% for non-profits 

  • May be able to pay back over a 30-year term depending on borrower ability to repay

  • Applicants must not be eligible for other loans

  • This is a direct loan from the SBA and online applications are available at www.sba.gov/disaster

 

Stop #3—North Dakota Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce has several options.

 

Option 1: The North Dakota Department of Commerce is granted the ability to provide “Emergency Loans” through its rural growth incentive program. Under this program, the DOC may declare an emergency and make loans to “Essential Service Companies.”  These include gas stations; pharmacies; grocers; and in some cases, restaurants.  

  • Communities with less than 2,500 in population are eligible

  • The request to NDDF is a dollar-for-dollar match by the city

  • A community can apply for $25,000 to $75,000 in matching funding

  • Loan terms are based on individual needs

 

Option 2: Loans for companies certified as primary sector. Details of this program include:

  • Up to $1 MM for job creation or retention

  • Lower than market interest rated

  • Must have secured matching financing from a private bank

 

Option 3: Childcare Loan Program

  • Up to $100,000

  • 2.5% rate

 

Additional details as well as programs can be located at: https://www.business.nd.gov/development_fund/NDDFPrograms/

 

Option 4: Pace/ Flex Pace (BND)

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ED&F is temporarily focusing on delivering quality and high impact guidance and services to companies using two main approaches:

 

  1. We are the subject matter experts on federal programs. We are prepared to discuss existing programs that can help, the new SBA emergency loan program as well as legislation that will likely be passed in the coming weeks to offset some of the difficulties our businesses and residents may face.

  2. Due to the speed and nature of COVID-19, I have divided my team based on geography. As such, please align your communication with the assigned point of contact. Your points of contact for all things federal and state will come from the assigned professional below:

 

Region 4: Cortnee Jensen cjjensen@nd.gov

 

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Behind our geographically assigned team is a group of professionals that will support them via legislative analysis as well as finance given the anticipation of increased applications for support during this time.

 

Option 5: Community Development Block/Community Development Loan Fund

 

 

The CDBG/CDLF program’s infectious disease response has 9 funding buckets across the state (8 regional councils, and also the Governor’s Office). The terms of these funds (grants, loans, or forgivable loans) are determined by those entities uniquely. For additional information, please contact your regional council or the Director of Community Services https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/about/Staff/.  Assistance is available to businesses related to the following:

 

  1. New or expanding business to create jobs and manufacture medical supplies necessary to respond to infectious disease.

  2. Avoidance of job loss caused by business closures related to social distancing by providing short-term working capital assistance to small businesses to enable retention of jobs held by low- and moderate-income persons.

  3. Expansion of microenterprises that provide medical, food delivery, cleaning, and other services to support home health and quarantine.

 

Other considerations:

From the Tax Department – If a business is having difficulties meeting a tax filing deadline as a result of COVID-19 related matters they should contact our office and we will handle the issues on a case-by-case basis.  Contact information can be found at www.nd.gov/tax

 

Please note that this situation remains fluid. New legislation and programs as well as updates surface on a highly frequent basis. As such, you may receive a communique and within six hours, information may be outdated. We will do everything possible to remain current.