Wyandotte County Business Community,
The following information is provided to keep you informed about pertinent issues concerning COVID-19. As you know, information changes almost daily, we will be updating this page frequently with resources and information to help you through this trying time. We are thinking about your companies and employees. Let us know how we can be of assistance.
-The WYEDC Team,
Greg, Cari, Marcia, Jonn, Loretta & Kate
Keep WYCO Well:
TAKE THE PLEDGE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR A SAFE, HEALTHY AND WELCOMING WYANDOTTE COUNTY
The Keep WYCO Well pledge is a joint initiative among businesses and individuals in Wyandotte County to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By taking this pledge, participants are committed to abiding by public health mandates from the CDC, Kansas Department of Health & Environment and the Unified Government Health Department of Kansas City Kansas & Wyandotte County as outlined in the Restart WYCO – Reopen Kansas Plan.
This program is a partnership effort from the Kansas City Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Wyandotte Economic Development Council.
National & Federal Resources:
U.S. Department of Labor COVID 19 Guide
U.S. Small Business Administration COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Guidance from US Chamber of Commerce on how small businesses can best survive the coronavirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces
Business Resources:
The New Stimulus Act: 15 Big Changes That Will Impact Your Small Business
Legal Resources for Businesses – Polsinelli
Kansas Department of Labor COVID-19 Response Resources – The Kansas Department of Labor recognizes the impact of COVID-19 on employers and workers alike. Here you will find information and resources to help your business and workers navigate during this challenging time.
Shared Work Plan Application – An employer/business owner may use Shared Work in lieu of a temporary, total layoff of employees. It allows for a partial workweek and partial unemployment benefits for employees. It is not available for seasonal layoffs.
Workforce Partnership – Offices are closed, but assistance continues to be available online, via phone and video chat function
COVID-19 Resources for Manufacturers – Information and resources for manufacturers from our partner, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions.
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce During COVID-19
Free COVID-19 Saliva Test Kits Available for Businesses – Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL) has notified us that businesses may request free COVID-19 saliva test kits. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requests that businesses complete an application at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1619/Employer-Based-Testing-Application to participate in the program. The application can then be submitted to kdhe.Covidtestapproval@ks.gov. Once you have the approval documentation, you can begin the account setup process with CRL at CTsupport@crlcorp.com.
(Posted: 3/25/2020, Last Updated: 1/4/2021)
Financial Resources:
AltCap and CBIZ partner to provide PPP technical assistance to small businesses
WYCO Loves Local Small Business Grant Application – The Unified Government’s WYCO Loves Local Small Business Grant is created with CARES Act Funding to help reduce the financial strain on local businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants are only available to for-profit businesses located in Wyandotte County.
Grant amounts:
$10,000 – Businesses with 1-25 employees
$20,000 – Businesses with 26- 500 employees
The Unified Government will provide grant payments for revenue replacement or other COVID related expenses. To qualify for revenue replacement, documentation will be required comparing revenue from 2019 to 2020. To qualify for COVID related expenses, business must provide invoices and/or receipts for eligible expenses.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Offers Disaster Assistance Loans – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Kansas small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Apply online.
KC Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund – The fund will support the entire MARC region – Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. It will award grants to 501(c)3 charities and public organizations to address urgent health and human service needs.
Altcap Offers Fast Track Loan Program for Small Businesses
(Posted: 3/25/2020, Last Updated: 1/19/2021)
Loan Forgiveness Resources:
SBA Paycheck Protection Program Frequently Asked Questions – Loan Forgiveness
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
US Chamber of Commerce Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
(Posted: 10/2/2020)
Employee Resources:
Unemployment Resources -Unemployment insurance benefits may be available to individuals who are involuntarily unemployed as a result of COVID-19. At this time, individuals can receive up to a maximum of 16 weeks of benefits.
Workforce Partnership – Offices are closed, but assistance continues to be available online, via phone and video chat function
(Posted: 3/25/2020, Last Updated: 3/27/2020)
Childcare Resources:
Child Care Aware of America has developed an online information hub that can be helpful to child care providers during this time.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families Announces Hero Relief Program – The program provides child care subsidies to eligible health care workers, first responders and other essential workers.
(Posted: 4/6/2020, Last Updated: 10/2/2020)
Additional Online Resources:
Kansas State Department of Education – This page has regular updates for families and school districts on their website, including guidance from the Continuous Learning Task Force and updates on meal distributions.
Kansas Department for Children and Families – This has updated information related to COVID-19, including FAQs for child care information for families.
Community Housing of Wyandotte County
This page updated with state and federal timelines for rent, mortgage, and utility moratoriums, locations in your community providing for basic needs, and more.
(Posted: 4/6/2020)
Unified Government of Wyandotte County COVID-19 Community Resources
Self-Report Symptoms, Food Needs Request, Volunteer or Donate and more information can be found here.
(Posted: 3/29/2020)
Hiring During COVID-19 – List of Opportunities
EMPLOYERS! TeamKC: Life+Talent is repurposing its free resume sharing platform, KC Career Network, to include a listing of organizations across our region that are hiring for permanent and/or temp positions to help individuals who may be out of work due to the impact of COVID-19 on business. Email Jessica Palm at Palm@thinkkc.com if your company would like to be included on this list.
(Posted: 3/25/2020)
COVID-19 Updates and Resources from Kansas Department of Health and Environment
https://govstatus.egov.com/coronavirus
(Posted: 3/24/2020)
Essential Businesses
This website will provide up-to-date answers as to whether or not your business is considered an essential business: www.wycokck.org/COVID-19. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City Kansas (UG) states that businesses will not receive a letter or other approval document from them as to whether or not you are deemed as an essential business. Businesses will need to use your discretion to determine if you align with essential services for health and safety. The UG is happy to answer questions for business owners who are unsure on how to interpret the order. The press release, full order, FAQ, contacts and other information can be found on the website.
