Economic Resources

Below is a list of economic resources on a local, state, and national level, in addition to, other resources.

Business Reopening Resources

Business Occupant Capacity: State Fire Marshal Guidance For Determining Occupant Capacity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Health Action Alliance offers resources to support companies, businesses, and employees with their COVID-19 response.
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.
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.
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.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has COVID-19 guidance available for several types of businesses on preparing workplaces, worker exposure risk, and more.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration has guidelines for food service businesses.

CARES Act: This is a comprehensive and detailed relief measure directing aid to families, businesses, hospitals and states.
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has reopened with loan support for non-profit organizations and small businesses.
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.
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.

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.
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

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.
ICR IOWA Career Collective offers resources for employers and individuals looking for employment.

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.

Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA): Business Recovery Assistance
Iowa Workforce Development has assistance for employees and employers affected by pandemic-related layoffs.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): additional 13 weeks of benefits support available to individuals that have already exhausted 26 weeks of benefits
- State Extended Benefits (EB): additional benefits support once PEUC benefits have been exhausted
- Unemployment Insurance Benefits
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.