CREATIVE BUSINESSES
Please note that the inclusion of these links and sources does not constitute an endorsement by the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District. (updated 1/15/2021)
Recent Updates
- Shuttered Venues Grant OPEN- the SBA has opened a special grant with funds up to 10 million dollars for shuttered venues and cultural institutions. Businesses cannot receive this grant if also applying of PPP funds. Venues are recommended to apply through the SBA and applications are open. Read more about the Grant HERE
- Apply for Assistance from Larimer County CO Relief Grants -(Do not apply if you applied for the CO Arts Relief Grant) Read more and Apply for this small business support at Larimer County’s website
- PPP Loans Reopen – Read about new details and when to apply for the new PPP loan funds/Federal Financial Assistance – Colorado Specific information
- Level Up! The Larimer County Health Dept has submitted a proposal to the state for safe businesses to apply for greater capacity once we are able to open once again. Get ready and Level Up today! Complete the online application at https://www.larimer.org/
health/communicable-disease/ coronavirus-covid-19/level– program - Music folks, need some help or a steer you in the right direction? The Music District is providing application support consultations for music industry folks, sign up here!
LOCAL RESOURCES
- FORT COLLINS BUSINESS HELP:
- City of Fort Collins
- NOCO RECOVERS – A one stop shop for COVID-19 recovery resources for the business community in Northern Colorado.
- Workforce Management: Furloughs, Layoffs, Social Distancing,…) at NoCoRecovers.com
- Larimer SBDC (Free one on one professional business help, consulting, classes and help with SBA loans (PPP & Cares Act loans)
- HEALTH:
- Mental Health Support for Larimer County: 970-221-5551. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., M-F No charge for COVID-19 support. If you’re in crisis, call the Colorado Crisis Line 1-844-493-8255.
- COVID-19 tests for yourself or your employees? UCHealth is ready! Find the testing closest to you
- FUNDING:
- NoCo Music Event Fund – Apply for a grant for your event
- Colorado Music Relief Fund – Open to anyone who qualifies for assistance in the NoCo Music Community!
SUPPLIES & TOOLS
- Keep NoCo Open – Full graphics, videos and messaging in English and Spanish Download all the assets HERE – Marketing Kit here
- De-Escalation Training for your employees and volunteers? The City has created these video trainings to help – See them at ForFortCollins.com
- NoCo Safety Supply Marketplace – PPE supplies, sell or buy from NoCo sources
- ForFortCollins.com – for businesses and citizens with ways to promote shopping locally with marketing asset generator, connections and resources for being open
- Add your business to this online listing of Fort Collins businesses to expand the social-distancing-friendly purchasing options you offer to customers.
- Compliance requirements for all types of businesses NoCoRecovers.com
- FoCoFreelance.com – Register here as a Fort Collins Freelancer looking for jobs
- MORE CREATIVE TOOLS AND TIPS – Watch video tutorials about e-commerce, online marketing, video production from home and much more
STATE RESOURCES
- COLORADO BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and Economic Trade
- Colorado Creative Industries
- Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
- Help Colorado Now – State Of Colorado’s website offers emergency funding and a range of in-kind services for individuals, businesses and non-profits.
- FUNDING:
- Alternative Colorado lenders: Accion and Colorado Lending Source
- Alternative Funding Sources (Not PPP, EIDL or Governmental sources) Created by Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (www.choosecolorado.com/covid19/)
- The Colorado COVID Relief Fund is offering support to small businesses whose work aligns with the Fund’s priorities of Prevention, Impact and Recovery. Funds are distributed within three days.
- INFO & SERVICES:
- Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) released the 2020 Colorado Creative Economy Report, studying the Creative Economy in before and during the COVID-19 pandemic The report was prepared in collaboration with CCI and Dr. Michael Seman of Colorado State University’s LEAP Institute for the Arts and Regional Economic Development Institute.
- LEGAL: Pro Bono Attorneys services for Colorado businesses affected by COVID www.coloradocovidrelief.org
CARES Act
- CARES Act –6/30/2020 EIDL loans and PPP loans are now closed for new applications. Applications already submitted will still be processed in the order in which they have been received – Information: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Payroll Protection Program
- If you have any questions regarding the CARES Act reach out to the Larimer SBDC or see information at the Small Business Association
- CARES Act Loan Application Assistance Project – a no-cost lawyer match program for Colorado Nonprofit Association members providing a resource for much-needed support navigating the federal relief and response funding. (eligibility, what information you will need to complete your application, simplify requirements, clarify language, and offer other things to consider as you apply.) Learn more and get connected with a volunteer lawyer.
- The CARES Act explained for Freelancers and Artists (Video by Greeley Creative District)
- This GUIDE can help you navigate/understand the CARES Act.
- Small Business Administration 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-659-2955
NATIONAL RESOURCES
- NATIONAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Americans for the Arts has a list of national resources
- NIVA – (National Independent Venues Association) – guidance about venues reopening, advocacy and support for venue owners #SaveOurStages
- REVS – Reopen Every Venue Safely – provides guidance about music venues re-opening in safe & sustainable ways
- Small Business Administration Debt Relief
- FUNDING:
- PPP Loans – see Cares Act Section
- Freelancer’s Union Relief Fund
- Kiva Loans – Yes, 0% interest – no catch. They’re a non-profit aimed at expanding access to capital. Worldwide loans
- Small Business Administration Express Bridge Loans (enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly)
- Get FREE help from the Larimer Small Business Development Center COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources with SBA loans, PPP Loans, free business consulting and classes. A Chapter of Colorado Small Business Administration (SBA)
- GUIDES:
- Alignable has launched a Coronavirus Resource + Recovery Center for Small Businesses.
