COVID-19 resources for the cooperative business community

NCBA CLUSA continues to closely monitor the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As the situation evolves, NCBA CLUSA is referring to guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to inform our operations in the U.S. and in the 21 countries around the world in which we implement development projects.

As cooperatives everywhere face the impacts of COVID-19 on their businesses and communities, we are making the following resources available as a service to our members and the co-op community. Many federal programs intended to provide COVID-19 disaster relief have closed. In the webinars and information below, you can access previously recorded webinars, get best practices on managing finances and cash flow during crises, find legal and risk management tips on navigating business interruptions, and more.

If you have additional resources you would like to share with the co-op community, or if you have questions about COVID-19’s impact on your co-op, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Please note: The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this page is to promote understanding and knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential effects on cooperative businesses. NCBA CLUSA is not providing advice on legal, health or public health issues. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and federal and local authorities for more information related to public health. For legal advice, please consult with your attorney.

Thank you to our members for making the following resources—and our advocacy work—possible

As a membership association—comprised of co-ops, cooperative associations and those who support our mission of advancing the cooperative business model—NCBA CLUSA relies on our members for resources and strategic vision. If you’re not a member, please consider joining NCBA CLUSA. During this COVID-19 crisis, there has never been a more important time for co-ops to come together to defend and advocate for the cooperative business model.

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Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has closed and no new loans are available under this program. To apply for forgiveness on your loan, contact your PPP lending institution.

PPP loans are eligible for forgiveness if the proceeds of the loan have been used for eligible purposes. Contact your PPP lender for more information on forgiveness.

On July 28, 2021, the SBA launched the Direct Forgiveness Portal for loans under $150,000 to apply for a streamlined loan forgiveness directly with the agency. For more information on the Direct Forgiveness Portal, click here.

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Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program closed on December 31, 2021. As of January 1, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration will only accept and review requests for increases, reconsiderations and appeals for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31. This means six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available.

Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.

More information available from SBA here   Ask a question

Six Months into COVID-19, Taking the Pulse of the Cooperative Economy

Hosted by the Cooperative Economists Council with support from CoBank and Nationwide, this webinar explores how co-ops are adapting in the face of shifting priorities.

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Co-ops in the Food Supply Chain: Resilience and Innovation in Response to COVID-19

A virtual briefing hosted by the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus and presented by NCBA CLUSA in partnership with Growmark, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund and Organic Valley.

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Webinar: Demystifying SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Hosted by NCBA CLUSA and the U.S. Small Business Administration, this webinar offers advice on navigating the application process for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

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Webinar: COVID-19 and the Co-op Business Community

NCBA CLUSA, law firm Dorsey and risk management leader Marsh provide advice on preparing your cooperative for potential business interruptions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

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Webinar: Managing Finances and Cash During Crisis

Hosted by NCBA CLUSA and Shared Capital Cooperative, this webinar offers advice on navigating the financial challenges caused by COVID-19, addressing issues ranging from cash flow management to working with vendors and lenders.

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Watch in Spanish

Webinar: Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) refresher with SBA

*This webinar was held before the application deadline of December 31, 2021*

All cooperatives are eligible for the EIDL program, and funds may be used for working capital including payroll and other business expenses including utilities and rent or mortgage payments. EIDL may also be used to pay existing debts. In September, SBA announced several changes to the program, including increasing the cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Other changes to the program from this announcement are available here.

During this webinar, you’ll hear from Nicola Montagna, Special Advisor for SBA’s Office of Capital Access and get up-to-speed on the EIDL program, the Targeted EIDL Advance and the Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance. SBA will also provide information about how COVID EIDL funds can be used to address supply chain challenges, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

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Webinar: Cooperatives and USDA's New Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

As part of the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to increase access to capital to build a stronger, more resilient food system. Eligible use of funds include but are not limited to startup or expanding activities related to aggregating, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting or distributing food. Cooperatives are eligible to participate in this program and funds may be used in rural and urban areas.

NCBA CLUSA and USDA partnered on this webinar to inform the cooperative community about this new program. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions directly to USDA staff. Our presenters included Dr. Karama Neal, Administrator of USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Mark Brodziski, Deputy Administrator of Rural Business-Cooperative Service; and Jeff Hudson, Business Loan Analyst for Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

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