Economic Resources

Below are economic resources for residents, restaurants, and businesses on a local, state, and national level, in addition to, other resources.

Local Resources

East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) COVID Recovery Business Assistance Revolving Loan Fund is offering financial support to local businesses affected by the pandemic.
ICAreaTogether.com, a resource to local businesses, is a collaboration of the Iowa City Downtown District, Think Iowa City, Iowa City Area Development Group, and Iowa City Area Business Partnership.
- COVID-19 Recovery FAQ
- Project Better Together is an effort that launched to focus on recovery of our community. View business resources on the Recovery Resources for Businesses webpage.
ICR IOWA Career Collective offers resources for employers and individuals looking for employment.
Masks of Wellness is a local initiative launched to provide guidelines and support for businesses to re-open in a safe manner that follows public health recommendations.

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) has guidance for farmers markets, restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and more.
Iowa Department of Public Health has guidance documents and recommendations for businesses and organizations.
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA): Business Recovery Assistance
Iowa Workforce Development has assistance for employees and employers affected by pandemic-related layoffs.
Iowa WORKS has listings of job positions and work opportunities.
Small Business Administration Support Loans: The disaster declaration for the State of Iowa allows small businesses to apply for low-interest support loans.
The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center offers a variety of resources for non-profit organizations in the State of Iowa.

Health Action Alliance offers resources to support companies, businesses, and employees with their COVID-19 response.
IRS provides tips for taxpayers and tax professionals.
- Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are offering free assistance with taxes for qualifying taxpayers.
National Council of Nonprofits offers information on funding, advocacy, technology tools, and more to nonprofit agencies.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has COVID-19 guidance available for several types of businesses on preparing workplaces, worker exposure risk, and more.
Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury. See the Coronavirus Relief Options webpage for more information.
- Lender Match is a tool offered by SBA that assists businesses with finding lenders.
- Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is a funding opportunity available to venue operators, such as museums, theaters, or live performance venues.

Center for Worker Justice offers resources and support to low-wage workers in Eastern Iowa.
COVID-19 Response and Back-To-Business Limited Liability Act: Governor Reynolds signed this act into law for COVID-19-related lawsuits.
Iowa Civil Rights Commission offers resources on anti-discrimination law.
Iowa Legal Aid offers resources related to housing, employment concerns, insurance, taxes, and more.
Legal Information Hotline: The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA), Iowa Legal Aid, and Polk County Volunteer Lawyers Project have partnered to create a hotline offering support to Iowans with legal concerns related to COVID-19. The hotline phone number is 1-800-332-0419.
National Employment Law Project Immigrant Workers' Rights offers information and frequently asked questions for immigrants related to their employment.
U.S. Department of Labor has information on pandemic-related paid leave for employees, and has a "quick tip" video on how ADA rules apply during COVID-19.
- Report Unemployment Identity Theft
- Worker.gov provides information on worker rights.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers employment equality enforcement information and support.
- Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act
- What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws

For refugee, immigrant, and tribal community information, including a variety of multilingual resources, visit the Recovery and Support web page.

One Fair Wage, a nonprofit that advocates for restaurant workers, has set up an emergency fund to provide financial assistance to food service employees.
Restaurant Association: For the restaurant and hospitality industry, the Restaurant Association of Iowa website provides information, resources, and community.
Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation has created a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for individual workers and small businesses in the restaurant industry.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration has guidelines for food service businesses.