Latest Updates (updated 5/4/2020)

Henderson County Companies Producing PPE:

Need Help with Childcare?

Click here for a resource page and contact information.

Supply Connector

A brief overview how to list a need or provide a product from the Supply Connector FAQ.

1. If you identify as a company in need or have something you can provide, please fill in the appropriate form.
2. Before you submit your company to the Supply Connector database, you will be asked to give consent to be publicly listed in the directory. All submissions must provide this consent to participate.
3. We have a small team moderating submissions. It may take up to 24hrs (usually less) before your listing will appear in the search.
4. After submitting your information you will be sent to the directory. From here the platform allows you to be found directly by other manufacturers, suppliers, and healthcare professionals using search terms or filters. You may connect directly with each other using the information provided in the listing.*
5. We ask participants to keep their posts updated to keep a relevant and timely directory of needs and capacity. Use the link in your confirmation email to update your listing.

Small Business Funding Support Updates/Q&A:

• Rapid Recovery Loan Program
• CARES Act – Employee Retention Credit
• SBA Paycheck Protection Program
• Save Small Business Fund

Henderson County Stay at Home Order:

Click here.

Essential Businesses

For additional guidance from NCDOR on essential business, click here.

Is my business is critical?

The CISA has developed a list of Critical Infrastructure here. Metals, machinery, electrical/component, transportation, food/beverage, medical manufacturing are all critical. Critical operations like payroll, maintenance, warehouse may also continue to operate. Although the State system is inundated right now, you should still email BEOC (below) – though it may take a while to hear back.

The steps for a business to follow are:

1. Businesses should email [email protected]
2. In the email, they should provide the following:

• Business name
• Point of Contact including: name, email, phone number, address
• Nature of their business and why they are critical to continue operations
• Business Website

Sick Leave Policy Info

Does a local shelter-in-place order qualify as an isolation or quarantine order for the purposes of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act?

Click here for more information.

What about the new sick leave policy?

We understand this is a tax credit and employers must pay upfront cost now. This goes into effect April 1st. According to UNC School of Government: “Shelter in place declarations are not equivalent to an isolation or quarantine order and does not make them eligible for emergency paid sick leave.” Please contact your attorney or HR specialist for guidance.

Read more here.

For a link to government guidance documents, check here.

Health Advisories

To keep up to date with local resources in regards to COVID-19: Public Health Advisory.

Our county hospital, Pardee UNC Health, has additional resources here. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please call the county hotline between 8:00 AM-8:00 PM for screening: 828-694-8048 A screening site is also set up at Advent Health.

How You Can Help

Love Hendo

Want to support a local business during this time or are you a local business that needs support?

Love Hendo is a great clearing house for us all to come together and love on Henderson County! Check out the site here.

Donations

Donations can be dropped off at the Pardee Hospital Foundation building located at 561 Fleming Street in Hendersonville. Please call ahead at 828-233-2721 so that staff can arrange for effective social-distancing measures when retrieving your donation. They can also arrange pick up of some items. Please contact [email protected].

Donations accepted to help with COVID-19 include:

Personal Protective Equipment

• Surgical masks
• N95 masks
• Goggles or safety glasses
• Face shields
• Gowns/ suits
• Gloves
• Shoe covers

Sanitation/ Disinfection

• Lysol/ other disinfectant spray
• Clorox wipes
• Hand sanitizer

Pivot Production to Help Combat COVID-19

FOR TEXTILE COMPANIES

This week the Carolina Textile District (CTD) announced a major initiative to assist in the production of medical PPE.  A textile company that would like to produce PPE can utilize the resource below to be put in touch with the Carolina Textile District to produce the needed PPE.  The CTD has purchased FDA approved material and can distribute the material to manufacturers that are willing to help.  The CTD is also collecting data from hospitals and medical providers as to their needs.

Companies who want to produce PPE:

 Go here and click on “We will help produce PPE.”

Medical providers who need PPE.:

Go here and click on “We need PPE.”

Read the Carolina Textile District Press Release here.

FOR NON-TEXTILE COMPANIES

NC State University and IES is compiling data on companies that can produce medical PPE.  For companies that would like to begin producing PPE or already producing PPE please provide your info here.

Industry Support

Are you an industry impacted by COVID-19, help us help you by taking this quick survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T3PQNC6. Additionally, EDPNC has resources listed. Should your company be severely impacted due to COVID-19, please reach out to HCPED and we can help navigate support.

Supply Chain Resources

Is your business experiencing supply chain disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19? Find the Manufacturer or Supplier your business needs at Manufactured NC:
• This database of suppliers contains every thing produced in NC. Whether you’re a manufacturer who wants to localize your supply chain or a business searching for packaging suppliers, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
• If you are a N.C. manufacturer, please register your business with Manufactured NC here. Other businesses may be looking for you!

Funding Resources

Thread Capital (NC Rural Center) – Thread Capital was launched in 2018 by the NC Rural Center and continues to be an operating subsidiary of the Center. Contact them by phone: (919) 212-4950 or email: [email protected];

Self-Help Credit Union – Alternative lending institution. Contact them by phone: (800) 476-7428 or web.

Carolina Small Business Development Fund (formerly The Support Center) – Contact them by phone: (919) 803-1437 or web.

NC Community Development Initiative – Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Contact them by phone: (919) 828-5655 or web. More market research info can be found here.

SBA Disaster Relief Loans – Business Link North Carolina Technical Business Support during COVID-19 – Contact them by phone (800)228-8443 or web.

NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program – funded through the generous support of the Golden LEAF Foundation, will be managed by the Rural Center, with direct lending facilitated by Thread Capital, Business Expansion Funding Corporation (BEFCOR), Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Self-Help Credit Union, Mountain BizWorks, and Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF).

General Business Resources and Updates

We encourage businesses to visit the NC Commerce Update.

NC Emergency Management has a process to vet businesses and allow them the ability to move employees with an emergency or shelter in place order in place.  Work with your trade associations as well.

Business Edge Services

Business Edge is a series of layoff aversion strategies and activities designed to help North Carolina employers prevent or minimize job losses. Through Business Edge, workforce partners collaborate with business leaders to assess the needs of, and options for, “at-risk” firms, and to deliver services that address those needs. Call (919)814-0400, toll free: (800)562-6333 (Choose Option 2 – Business Services) or email: [email protected]

Work Place Sanitation

Be sure to follow CDC and OSHA guidelines. Several local cleaning companies have indicated they are available to assist with cleaning/sanitation: Warren Restoration (828) 595-4776, Service Master of Hendersonville (828) 513-0061, and Quality Janitorial Group (828)277-3880.

Unemployment Insurance Policy

As of 3.24.20 it is estimated that federal legislation in response to COVID-19 will provide payment for up to four months and in NC up to $950/week ($350 current max + $600). Contact des.nc.gov or 866-278-3622 for more information.

HR/Legal Advice re: COVID-19 (from The Van Winkle Law Firm)

• Employment Law – 3.9.2020
• EEOC Guidance Update – 3.18.2020
• Families First Coronovirus Response Act – 3.19.2020
• Families First Coronovirus Response Act (Supplement) – 3.20.2020
• Paycheck Protection Program Outline – 4.3.2020
• Paycheck Protection Program Checklist – 4.3.2020
• Paycheck Protection Program Payroll Calculator – 4.3.2020

Operational Recommendations via Small Business Center

Keep Cash Flowing: Encourage customers to purchase gift cards or future services from yours and other’s small businesses to keep cash flowing in your local economy. Find ways to preserve on-hand cash to weather lean months in the near future; consider suspending expansion initiatives or larger investments until markets stabilize

Cash Flow Tips from JPS. Business Updates from JPS.

Start a Conversation with Your Bank: Early communication with your lender can present financing opportunities now, that can be taken advantage of later. Lines of Credit, SBA Disaster Assistance Loans, etc. can all be considerations. More information below

Communication: Customers & employees will likely be exposed to conflicting information and feel anxious or confused. Be sure to communicate safety and general policies promptly, clearly, and in a balanced manner. Furthermore, communicate contextual information and the reasoning behind policies to deepen understanding and operational direction

Inventory Management Practices: Evaluate your inventory to determine which products can be quickly turned over. Smaller margins may be more important in the short term in order to keep cash moving; this evaluation takes careful planning to not disadvantage your long term profit

Re-Evaluate Your Break-Even: Markets have shifted, demand has shifted similarly. Review to better gauge inventory and financing requirements

Allow for Remote Work Where Feasible: Set expectations and communicate requirements to employees. Encourage sick employees stay home and follow CDC/Federal/State recommendations for safety

Get Help: Reach out to your SBC or other groups i.e. Mountain BizWorks, SBTDC, or Business Link NC for information and resources 

Other Agency Resources:

• Mountain BizWorks – https://www.mountainbizworks.org/
• Business Link NC – www.blnc.gov 
• SBTDC – http://www.sbtdc.org/
• Office of Thom Tillis Small Business Support
• HCPED Webinar

HCPED Updates

In response to recommendations, HCPED staff is working remotely. Please visit our contact page to be reach out to a specific staff member. We still stand to assist you 110% during this time and are equipped for conference calls and virtual meetings. Event information updated below.

Upcoming Events:

WNC Career Expo, April 1^st:  The event is CANCELLED. The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board is working to reschedule this in late Spring/early Summer.

Industrial Executives Forum, April 30^th: This event is CANCELLED.

Made in Henderson County Apprenticeship Tours and Activities: Postponed until further notice. Interested candidates can still apply and get more info on the program here.