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Many of our resources can be added right to your Google Drive account, which you can also use to securely store digital copies of other important documents. Learn how to use Google's free tools here, with Tech Goes Home.

This SBA loan provides economic relief to small businesses and non-profit organizations currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. 

EIDL: Learn more about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program from the SBA

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) provides no-cost, virtual advising for small businesses. Use the "virtual advising" link below or call (423) 756-8668.

EIDL: Get help applying for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan

This program provides assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other food service businesses impacted by COVID-19, offering funding equal to pandemic-related revenue losses. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as it is used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Learn more about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from the SBA

Get help applying to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program provides emergency assistance for eligible venue; eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue.

Learn more about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the SBA

Get help applying for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

If your business is located within the City of Chattanooga, has been in business for at least one year and has hired 5 or more employees in the past 18 months, you may qualify for a GSBI Grant through the City of Chattanooga

Apply for a GSBI Grant from the City of Chattanooga

You must be able to contact and communicate with all of your employees in an emergency.

Gather current contact information for all of your employees

This includes things like an employee handbook, I-9 forms and medical files. It's important that sensitive information is stored securely.

Develop and store human resources documentation

Ensure you have information about your payroll obligations on hand.

Store up-to-date payroll information

Most businesses, vocations and occupations operating within Hamilton County, TN and/or Chattanooga, TN are required to obtain a business license.

Apply for and store your business license

File or prepare formation documents to form a business that will be based in Tennessee, or register or prepare documents to obtain a Certificate of Authority to transact business in Tennessee if your business was formed in another state.

Apply for and store your Tennessee business registration

An out-of-date or missing permit can be what keeps you from getting the help you need. Review the resources below to see if any of these special cases might apply to you.

Identify, apply for and store necessary federal and state permits and licenses specific to your industry

Makes sure your business adheres to state food service guidelines

Apply for and store your food handler's permit

To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the food and personal care industries.

Establish contact with the health department and apply for all required licenses.

To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the childcare industry.

Aquire and store all necessary childcare licensing and documentation

Obtain a Tennessee license for selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages. 

Apply for and store your alcoholic beverage license

You need to be able to contact your partners when an emergency distrupts your relationship with them.

Gather current contact information for all of the partners your business works with

Required non-profit documentation for grants and aid.

Save an up-to-date list of board members

Gather current contact information for all congregational and operational leadership

Having a relationship already established means you won't need to find legal assistance in the middle of a crisis.

Establish a relationship with a lawyer or law firm

Having a relationship already established means you won't need to develop one in the middle of a crisis; loan programs like PPP, for example, were managed directly by banks.

Establish a relationship with a bank or banker

Having a relationship already established makes applying or asking for relief simpler.

Establish a relationship with a mortgage lender or landlord

Whether it's you, a staff member or an external contractor, someone must be able to provide accurate, up-to-date financial information.

Establish a relationship with a bookkeeper or accountant

Having a relationship already established can help expedite any claims, as well as in producing documentation required for other relief programs.

Establish a relationship with an insurance agent

Develop relationship with your peers. You may have questions someone else in your industry can answer - a network is crucial, especially in an emergency.

Join a professional association and/or attend informal meetups

The Chattanooga Tourism Company provides support for business who have an impact on tourism.

Join the Chattanooga Tourism Company as a member organization

Proof is a collaborative community for food and beverage professionals; is offers resource for best practices,  networking and mentors.

Sign up for updates from Proof Incubator

Ensure you can access your online platforms — from e-mail to social media — securely from anywhere, not just at one physical location (like a computer in your office).

Obtain all information required to access your online platforms

Ensure clients, customers or congregants can find you online.

Create a website or social media presence for your organization, and register it via Google

Make it easy for community members to support your organization through a crisis.

Create an online payment or donation platform

Even something as easy as Facebook Live can help you reach and stay in contact with congregants and continue worship services.

Create a Facebook page or register for another online platform for broadcasting faith-based services

Make it easy for congregants and the community to support you through a crisis.

Identify and register for a faith-based online giving platform

Establish a plan for sustainability and take steps toward furthering your business or non-profit.

Develop and document a business plan

Collect and store mortgage or lease information

Protect your organization with the right type of insurance.

Secure up-to-date insurance information

Collect and save your IRS Determination Letter

Collect and store your 501(c)(3) annual reports

Collect and store proof of annual report submission

If you're an LLC, you'll need this documentation from the State of Tennessee.

Document and store articles of organization

An operating agreement is not a requirement, but, if you do have one, make sure a copy is accessible.

Document and store LLC Operating Agreement, if applicable

Establish the legal framework of your business or non-profit. 

Document and store organizational bylaws

Business basics, regulations and FAQs for Chattanoogans, as well as COVID-19 specific resources available locally.

Learn about other helpful, local resources for small businesses

This means securely storing company records, links and passwords.

Ensure your financial information is up-to-date and accessible

Make sure you have access to your bank 24/7, especially if you cannot go in-person. In addition to online access, make sure you have secure, ready access to other bank account details.

Secure your online banking and bank account information

Apply for and save your Employer ID number, or EIN

Store your organization's W9

You need to maintain old financial records - in general, for at least 3 years - but the length of time can depend on different factors. Learn from the IRS how long you should maintain yours.

Learn how long you must retain your financial records

Collect and store copies of tax returns

You must be able to demonstrate you are a non-profit.

Collect and store copies of non-profit 990s

Collect and store current and past financial statements

Record and save your organization's annual budget

Collect and store copies of any recent audit reports

Ensure you have easy access and up-to-date information on any financial liabilities, as well as to information on anything you are owed (but remember, depending on the crisis, that others may also be in navigating financial challenges).

Store and regularly update both accounts payable and receivable information

You must have a profit and loss statement to be eligible for numerous types of financial aid.

Regularly update and store profit and loss statements

You need to be able to contact your funders and donors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for foundations and donors

In addition to knowing up-to-date funding information and any expenditures, ensure you have contact information for a program officer and are aware of any deadlines or grant requirements which may be impacted by a crisis.

Store active grant documents and information

Non-profits are required to refile every year, in order to solicit donations.

Save and store copies of your yearly charitable organization registration, renewal or exemption request.

You need to be able to contact your vendors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for vendors

Save up-to-date account and contact information for utility providers

It's important to store both a physical copy somewhere safe, as well as a backup copy in a digital location.

Securely store copies of signed contracts

You need to be able to contact your customers and clients when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for customers and/or clients

You need to be able to contact your congregants when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them: Consider a mailing list, social media, a listserv or even a phone tree as a way of reaching everyone quickly.

Save up-to-date contact information for congregants

Ensure information you store or share online is secure.

Learn to use Google Drive and other online tools safely

You should ensure everyone with access to important information knows how to keep it secure.

Conduct a cybersecurity training for staff

The world has moved increasingly online; it's vital to know who will help you navigate any technical challenges, especially during a crisis.

Identify your organization's tech support contact

Being resilient means having a plan; ensure you and your team know what do in case of an acute emergency.

Create an evacuation plan in case of fire, flood, tornado or other sudden disaster

Completed your checklist? Check out these additional disaster and crisis preparedness resources. Resiliency is an ongoing process!

Review other disaster preparedness toolkits

Leave us some feedback or join The Enterprise Center's mailing list for more helpful tools and content.

There is a community of support here for you in Chattanooga and Hamilton County! Visit Starting Block and connect with the Small Business Development Center, La Compañía at La Paz, SCORE, CO.LAB or Venture Forward for more help and resources.

Everything you need to prepare your business, nonprofit or faith-based organization for a crisis.

Free Resiliency Checklist for Small Businesses

Resources

Take your time. Items you check off will be saved in your browser’s cookies, so you can leave and come back when you’re ready to continue.

The full list may take days, or even weeks to complete. But when it’s done, your business will be prepared for any crisis.

Provided for free by The Enterprise Center in Chattanooga, TN.

For-profit

Non-profit / Not-for-profit

If you're unsure, you can skip. You can also always come back and change your answer.

Childcare

Education

Religion and Faith

Personal Care Services

Food Service

Including theatres, museums, the performing arts, etc.

Tourism and/or Event Venues

Some industries have specific additional requirements or permits. If one or more of these sectors apply to you, select them before choosing "Show me my results" — otherwise select, "None of these apply." And if you're not sure? You can see all of the additional resources by selecting, "I'm not sure."

What best describes your business?