Below are economic resources for residents, restaurants, and businesses on a local, state, and national level, in addition to, other resources.
- Local Resources
- Statewide Resources
- Federal and National Resources
- Legal and Workplace Resources
- Restaurant, Food Industry, and Takeout Workers Assistance
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.
Statewide Resources
- Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) has guidance for farmers markets, restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and more.
- 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
Federal and National Resources
- 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.
Legal and Workplace Resources
- 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.
Restaurant, Food Industry, and Takeout Workers Assistance
- 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.