Five Financial Aid Programs to Help Landscape Contractor Business Owners

Meeting with an accountant or CPA to discuss how the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting business needs to be a top priority. Why? Because billions of dollars in government emergency financial aid are rapidly being applied and awarded to small business owners to manage the economic damage from the pandemic. The rate at which small business owners are applying for these forgivable loans has been called “unprecedented” which is why lawmakers are working to earmark additional funding. However, there is uncertainty around if and when funds will come through, making now the best time to speak with a business advisor and apply.

Financial guidance is evolving weekly, sometimes it’s daily, so SiteOne Landscape Supply recommends using the list of resources below for up-to-date information.

• National Association of Landscape Professionals
• U.S. Department of Treasury CARES Act
• Small Business Administration: Coronavirus Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
• Small Business Administration: Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Administration: Paycheck Protection Program Form
• Small Business Administration: Debt Relief
• Small Business Administration: Emergency Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance

Below are five programs to talk with an accountant about now.

What is The CARES Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a more than $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at providing immediate relief to U.S. citizens. In addition to providing individual checks, funds are earmarked to keep businesses operating.

How Do I Keep Payroll Flowing?

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) gives qualified small businesses up to eight weeks financial help to maintain payroll, hire back employees that may have had to be laid off and certain overhead items. The SBA will forgive PPP loans if “all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75-percent of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll)”. Qualified institutions are able to process PPP loans. Once a lender is identified, download and complete the Paycheck Protection Program Form.

Important: The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.

According to the SBA, small business eligible for PPP must be:

• Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)
• Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:
  • 500 employees, or
  • That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500
• Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location
• Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons

Is Immediate Financial Aid Available?

In addition to the PPP, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL) Emergency Advance is designed to provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000. There may be stipulations around how these monies can be utilized, so it is important to discuss in detail with an advisor.

Is Long Term Emergency Funding Available?

The EIDL also provides up to $2 million in loans. Talk with a commercial banking advisor about applying for additional funding through EIDL.

Are There Other Debt Relief Options?
For businesses that had a current SBA Service Disaster (Home and Business) Loan, it is possible that there is additional help. According to the SBA, if a loan was in “regular servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the administration is providing automatic deferments through December 31, 2020. Discuss specific details with the assigned a disaster loan officer.

Finally, SiteOne is here to help during and after the pandemic. In addition to providing up-to-date government resources on SiteOne.com/covid-19, we are partnering with the industry to provide business tools like HindSight to develop estimates to ensure profitability on projects. And, we are working with suppliers to pass savings down to customers. When we put all of the resources in action: industry partners, government assistance, financial business advisors — we will get through this unprecedented time. Because, we are Stronger Together.