COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID-19 Business Resources and Information

Gwinnett County is closely monitoring the rapidly changing developments on COVID-19 across the country and the state. We are taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Public Health, the Gwinnett-Rockdale-Newton County Health Department, and other agencies. We will be working to help marshal resources and track down information to help our business community survive and thrive amid the changing economic climate from the disease.

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
Georgia received a Disaster Declaration by Small Business Administration, which provides low-interest federal loans to eligible small businesses hurt by the effects of COVID-19. The loans offer working capital to small businesses suffering from temporary loss of revenue.

The loans are available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The applications are for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), so applicants must select the EIDL Option.

More information is available here:

Disaster Loan application instructions
SBA Disaster Loan application
For Local Assistance
SBA Loan Press Release

Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 800.659.2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

County Emergency Orders
Gwinnett County has extended the March 31 deadline for occupation tax certificate renewals, commonly referred to as business licenses, to July 1; extended the March, April, and May reporting and payment deadlines for excise taxes in the sale of alcoholic beverages to September 10; and temporarily authorized establishments licensed to sell beer and wine on premises to sell unopened bottles of beer and wine for takeout consumption off premises throughout the duration of the declared local emergency. For more information, click here.

Business Operations Guidelines

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash on March 27 signed a local emergency order requiring all businesses that operate in Gwinnett County to cease all activity except for the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions. This directive, which expires at midnight April 13, applies to for-profit, nonprofit or private educational entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to operate.

All essential businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open while adhering to social distancing requirements. Such businesses include healthcare, grocery stores; certified farmer’s markets; organizations that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need; news agencies; gas stations, auto supply and auto repair shops; banks; and restaurants that offer delivery, takeout or drive-thru service. For a complete list, please refer to the order.

Individuals who work to provide essential services or essential products may leave their places of residence to carry out these activities.

The order also makes exceptions for essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure, meaning public works construction, private construction and related activities, utilities, telecommunications and solid waste services. First responders, emergency management personnel, 911 dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel and others who perform essential services, such as healthcare workers, are exempt from the order.

The order authorizes the use of personnel and resources to assist in enforcement.

Gwinnett’s 16 cities are acting together with Gwinnett County to align all emergency declarations.

For other businesses, Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration encourage employers to explore flexible business continuity plans, including options for work locations or telecommuting.

During this time of uncertainty for your business and employees, we assure you that essential County services will continue to serve and support your business operations. You can depend on Gwinnett County's Police Department, Fire & Emergency Services, Planning & Development, Water Resources, and other vital County services.

Our Gwinnett County Office of Economic Development team will be available remotely to serve your business needs. They are available by phone, video conferencing, and email to assist you. Our Business Outreach assistance is still available, but we have postponed all in-person meetings and Coffee and Conversation networking events at this time.

The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development at One Justice Square is operating with limited staff on-site but also has employees working remotely to respond to inquiries online. Residents and business owners are encouraged to take advantage of online services or email any questions or inquiries.

General Inquiries:
Planning&DevelopmentReceptionist@gwinnettcounty.com
Planning&Development@gwinnettcounty.com

We will keep you updated via the County's web site, social media, and newspapers (AJC and Gwinnett Daily Post) of any changes in the delivery of County services.

Please share this information with your network and neighboring businesses.

Thank you for doing business in Gwinnett County and please keep your employees and families safe during this difficult time.

Georgia Department of Labor Information

The Georgia Department of Labor's Gwinnett County Career Center is currently only open for GDOL employees to ensure the agency can support customer needs and continue processing unemployment claims. Many services and resources are available online at gdol.ga.gov.

Unemployment Claims Information for Employers
Employers: You are mandated by the state to electronically file partial claims on behalf of your employees whenever it is necessary to temporarily lay workers off, reduce their work hours, or temporarily close due to COVID-19. Filing partial claims results in employees receiving unemployment insurance benefit payments faster, usually within 48 hours for claims filed electronically.

To electronically file an unemployment claim, click here. Please monitor the GDOL website at gdol.ga.gov for any updates to these guidelines.

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

Disaster Loan application instructions
SBA Disaster Loan application
For Local Assistance
SBA Loan Press Release

Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 800.659.2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Unemployment Claims Information for Employers
Employers: You are mandated by the state to electronically file partial claims on behalf of your employees whenever it is necessary to temporarily lay workers off, reduce their work hours, or temporarily close due to COVID-19. Filing partial claims results in employees receiving unemployment insurance benefit payments faster, usually within 48 hours for claims filed electronically.

To electronically file an unemployment claim, click here. Please monitor the GDOL website at gdol.ga.gov for any updates to these guidelines.

Small business resources

Small Business Development Center
SCORE North Metro
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)
Gwinnett Chamber Virtual Networking
Restaurant Resources
Retailer Resources