It's news to no one that right now, running a business is unstable and we're working through unprecedented times. That means, in order to succeed, you must take risks as a business owner in order to continue your business and move forward. Part of that risk-taking process means actively exploring every opportunity available so you can perform effectively, efficiently and safely. Embracing new tools and technology is just one way to continue to evolve, adapt and even grow your business during today's challenging business environment. But if you don't know where your business stands, it's impossible to know where it can go.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce has worked with hundreds of small businesses since the crisis began. In our role as consultants working in alignment with the SBA, many businesses have received EIDL advance grants and the more traditional EIDL loan, and many more have received PPP loans. The EIDL grant did provide a lifeline for many very small businesses, but with a maximum of $10,000.00 per business. For larger businesses with higher expenses those funds were spent quickly. Many businesses received EIDL loans, and most owners seemed to have been saving those funds for cash flow shortfalls in the future, which is a very sound strategy. But not all businesses received the EIDL loan. PPP funds had to be spent predominantly on employee wages, so they had little impact on the overhead or inventory. 

​​By Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA​, Export Assistance Director

More than 95 percent of the world’s population and two-thirds of the global purchasing power lies outside of America’s borders, yet less than 1 percent of the 30 million businesses in the United States export. Ohio is the ninth-largest exporting state in the United States, consistently ranking as one of the top 10 exporting states in the nation. This is something that, as the Director of the Export Assistance Network, I am very proud of and hope to continue to see Ohio stay within that top 10.

On May 3, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) created the Paycheck Protection Program Frequently Asked Questions document. This document contains more than 40 questions that business leaders may have regarding the PPP, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more. The Toledo Small Business Development Center has laid out five questions you shouldn't miss from this document, and has created a spreadsheet, titled PPP Forgiveness Determination, to help you calculate the amount of money that can be forgiven by the PPP.

Yesterday, the Small Business Administration began to offer an advance of up to $10,000 on its Economic Injury Disaster Loan for businesses being disrupted by COVID-19. For businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue, funds should be made available within three working days of a successful application. The loan will not have to be repaid. You can apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance by clicking here.

Governor DeWine signed House Bill 197 into law this afternoon. Among the provisions included is moving the state tax filing deadline to July 15.

Also today, the United States Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). It is expected to be signed by President Trump soon.

While larger businesses have teams in place to plan and implement disruption plans, many smaller businesses typically do not have the same resources. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is available to assist small businesses in being prepared for an interruption in business operations, especially due to the recent spread of the Coronavirus. As events get canceled or supply chains interrupted, businesses need to be prepared for the effect these disruptions will have on their processes and workflows.

Small businesses are the engine of the economy. In Toledo there are nearly 11,000 small businesses employing 44 percent employees. Small business accounts for 77 percent of all businesses by number and generates more than $4.7 billion in payroll. Seventy-six (76) percent of small businesses in Toledo have fewer than 20 employees.

By Sabrina D'Onofrio, Export Assistance Network Director

​The International Market Access Grant for Exporters is coming to a close this Friday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. The IMAGE Grant is a program funded through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). STEP is funded through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of International Trade. The SBA provides guidance on the IMAGE grant that offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets. The IMAGE grant will provide 50 percent reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities. 

On Feb. 6, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Toledo Small Business Development Center held the first-ever Drivers Ed class. The series was designed specifically for young professionals entering C-suite and ownership-level positions in their businesses, and focuses on teaching them to not just sustain the business model of previous generations, but to grow. The series continues on March 5 at 8 a.m. with Accounting for Fuel Efficiency at the University of Toledo's Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex.