Resources & Updates
December 2020 COVID-19 Relief Package Summary – Download Here
Mitigating COVID-19 for Iowa Businesses and Organizations – updated in December 2020 with the most current COVID-19 information. If you have any follow-up questions e-mail: COVID19Business@iowa.gov.
Iowa Arts & Culture Recovery Program – UPDATED DECEMBER 3, 2020

On December 1, 2020, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds allocated $7 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, through the Iowa Arts & Culture Emergency Relief Fund.
Eligible Iowa arts and cultural organizations, businesses and individual artists whose normal operations have been interrupted due to the pandemic and ongoing public health emergency may apply for grant funding. As demand for these grants is expected to exceed available funding, this will be a highly competitive program. No applicant is guaranteed a funding award or amount. Click here to find out how to apply.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Treasury released a simpler loan forgiveness application for PPP loans of $50,000 or less on October 8th – more details below
- Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application
- Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application
- Click here to view the Interim Final Rule on the simpler forgiveness process for loans of $50,000 or less
Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.
The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration recently released the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. The forgiveness forms, instructions, and worksheets can be downloaded here | https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/3245-0407-SBA-Form-3508-PPP-Forgiveness-Application.pdf
Download this guide to help understand the process by which your loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process. | https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/uscc_ppp_forgiveness-guide.pdf
Reopening Guidelines by State
Reopening Guidance for the State of Iowa | https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/guidance
Nebraska Reopening Guidance Documents | http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Nebraska-Guidance-Documents.aspx
South Dakota’s Back to Normal Plan | https://covid.sd.gov/BackToNormal.aspx

America’s SBDC Iowa created this workbook and the #Back2Biz Iowa Small Business Challenge as a way to provide helpful information as you reopen your business. There are posters you can print to hang in your business, as well as checklists to guide you along the way.
Test Iowa
TestIowa.com | https://www.testiowa.com/en
Test Nebraska
TestNebraska.com | https://www.testnebraska.com/en
South Dakota Care19 App
South Dakota Care19 | https://covid.sd.gov/care19app.aspx
COVID-19 State Hotlines
Iowa COVID-19 State Hotline: Dial 2-1–1 Available 24/7
Nebraska State Hotline: (402) 552-6645 8AM – 8PM CST – 7 Days a Week. More info:https://www.nebraskachildren.org/covid-19-information-and-resources.html
South Dakota State Hotline: 1-800-991-2880
More info: https://doh.sd.gov/news/coronavirus.aspx
Debi Durham, Director, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority visits with Chris McGowan about the balancing act between the health of Iowans and the health of Iowa’s economy.
The Vault Session 1: Cybersecurity – Panel Discussions by Members for Members
Representatives from Catalyst IT, CSI, NetSys+, PC Matic, Solve For Tech, Thompson and Quality Telecommunications discuss the topic of Cybersecurity. Listen to these IT experts and learn how to ensure technology security when working from home, what to do if you get a computer virus warning and how you can best monitor productivity of your employees working from home and much more.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary, Mike Naig discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the ag industry in Iowa with Siouxland Chamber of Commerce members.
Beth Trejo, CEO and Founder of Chatterkick visits with Chris McGowan regarding the importance of social media in the current business environment. Thank you Beth for providing an invaluable directive for Siouxland businesses to utilize social media as a communication tool both internally to employees and externally to current and potential customers.
Everything you need to know about Coronavirus Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Programs – This is a breakdown from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce of all the federal programs and aid for small business coronavirus assistance.
Small Business Economic Injury Disaster Loans – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus. Iowa, Nebraska & South Dakota businesses are eligible for these loans.
Resilience in a Box from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – If your business needs help with your response and continuity plans, check out the tools available to you in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Resilience in a Box program.
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Governors’ Offices
Office of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds | governor.iowa.gov/
Office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts | governor.nebraska.gov/
Office of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem | sd.gov/governor/
Health Resources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention | cdc.gov/
Iowa Department of Public Health | idph.iowa.gov/
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | dhhs.ne.gov/
South Dakota Department of Health | doh.sd.gov/
Siouxland District Health Department | siouxlanddistricthealth.org/
Unemployment Benefits and Other Assistance
Iowa Unemployment Benefits | iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/unemployment-insurance-benefits
Nebraska Unemployment Benefits | dol.nebraska.gov/
South Dakota Reemployment Assistance | dlr.sd.gov/
Mortgage, Rent, & Utility Assistance | 211.org/services/covid19
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19
Federal Family and Medical Leave Act | dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic
Business Services & Guidance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters | https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
Iowa Economic Development Authority Business Resources | iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/our-agency-detail-resources/6710
Internal Revenue Service | irs.gov/coronavirus
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources | sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans | sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-provide-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted-coronavirus-covid-19
U.S. Chamber of Commerce | uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-resources-for-surviving-coronavirus
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives | resources.acce.org/crisismanagement
CDC Guidance for Business | http://bit.ly/2x0oh3i
Service Corp of Retired Executives | www.score.org/blog/how-small-businesses-can-prepare-for-coronavirus
Iowa Association of Business & Industry | https://www.iowaabi.org/news/coronavirus/
Displaced Employees
Advance Services – https://www.advanceservices.com/
Contact: Jim Stein
Email: siouxcity@asinc.net
Phone 712.276.5627
Aventure Staffing – https://www.aventure.com/
Contact: Jordan Aquino
Email: jaquino@aventure.com
Phone: 712.258.2453
Elite Staffing – https://elitestaffco.com/
Contact: Phil Krone
Email: phil.krone@elitestaffco.com
Phone: 712.224.4208
IMKO Workforce Solutions – http://www.imko.com
Contact: Dan Schoenherr
Email: dans@imko.com
Phone: 712.224.2480
J&L Staffing & Recruiting – https://jleusa.com/
Contact: Gene Wockenfuss
Email: gene@jleusa.com
Phone: 712.224.2090
LSI Staffing – https://www.lsistaffingbrands.com/
Contact: Judy Easton
Email: jeaston@lsistaffing.com
Phone: 712.202.2850
People Ready – https://www.peopleready.com/locations/sioux-city-ia-1878?utm_campaign=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google
Contact: Mike Lierman
Email: 1878-br@peopleready.com
Business Hours Phone: 712.234.1204
After Hours Phone: 712.234.1203
Short Staffed – https://www.shortstaffedusa.com/
Email: carla@shortstaffedusa.com or jessica@shortstaffedusa.com
Phone: 712.224.0022
Managing Stress, Anxiety & Personal Well Being
Mental Health & Crisis | www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Local Financial Resources / Recovery Funds
Siouxland Recovery Fund | unitedwaysiouxland.com/siouxland-recovery-fund
Food Resources
Food Bank of Siouxland | https://siouxlandfoodbank.org/
Volunteer Opportunities
LifeServe Blood Center | https://www.lifeservebloodcenter.org/
Volunteer Iowa | https://volunteeriowa.galaxydigital.com/
Volunteer South Dakota | https://volunteers.sd.gov/?fbclid=IwAR3qVx4Vtb9uNNrnlWDk4JdTVEwHT8OE7QVeISqaNClnO3gJDz6eYyQSqas