Guide to Business Resources in Response to COVID-19

General Information for Businesses from Organizations in Indianapolis

Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) The ISBDC provides information including:

• Funds for small businesses
• ISBDC Counseling for entrepreneurs
• A video from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University on how business owners should respond to COVID-19
• Information on Indiana’s stay-at-home order
• Taxes

Small Business Administration (SBA) Provides information and guidance on the funding available for small businesses. NOTE: Some stimulus programs for businesses are discontinued at the moment due to lack of funds.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Find out about their services such as mentoring, funding for businesses during COVID-19, and guides on getting your business through the crisis.

COVID-19 Open for Business Directory Residents can use the following map to explore the different businesses that are "Open for Business" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indiana Coronavirus Information Home This website provides extensive information on the coronavirus impact in Indiana and helpful resources.

Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce provides education and financial services to entrepreneurs through three teams: Business Ownership Initiative, the Central Indiana Women's Business Center, and the Hispanic Business Council.

• BOI (Business Ownership Initiative) BOI aims to help Central Indiana residents start and grow businesses. To do so, BOI offers free one-on-one business coaching, access to financing, business workshops, and online business courses.

• CIWBC (Central Indiana Women’s Business Center) WBCs help women succeed in business by providing training, mentoring, business development and financing opportunities to over 150,000 women entrepreneurs each year.
• Hispanic Business Council The Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council works to grow the Hispanic business community one connection at a time. Through its Conexión event series or its Mentor-Protégé program, the Hispanic Business Council represents an important demographic of the Indianapolis region.

Indy Black Chamber of Commerce The Indy Black Chamber of Commerce provides mentoring, seminars, and network functions with opportunities for business development, growth, and success.

Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub It is difficult to predict the economic impact of COVID-19 Coronavirus, but current precautionary restrictions will disproportionately affect small business. Here is information on available resources and answers to frequently asked questions.

OMWBD (Office of Minority & Women Business Development) Serving businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and people with ADA disabilities. The agency helps you access contract opportunities from the city, county, municipal, and privately funded projects in Central Indiana.

PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) PTAC provides procurement technical assistance to help you sell your products or services to the appropriate government agency by offering confidential counseling services and workshops at no cost. The core of the procurement assistance program is counseling and education.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program

SBDC (Small Business Development Center) A network of centers that provide counseling and training to help small business owners start, grow and expand their business.

VBOC (Veteran’s Business Outreach Center) Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

Indiana Unemployment Resources and Assistance Programs

Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development Helpful resources on filing for unemployment

Indiana Family & Social Services Administration Apply for SNAP, Cash Assistance, Health Coverage, or check the status of your case

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Coronavirus Eviction & Foreclosure Resource Guide

WorkOne Indy: COVID-19 Resources EmployIndy is making an effort to provide job search resources and employer resources for Indianapolis residents and businesses affected by COVID-19.

State and Federal Tax Relief for Businesses

Indiana Department of Revenue: Press Release Regarding Tax Relief for Businesses and Individuals

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Coronavirus Federal Tax Relief

News from the media company Thomson Reuters that outlines tax relief for businesses and individuals in all 50 states

Webinars or Online Training for Businesses

Indiana Chamber of Commerce schedule for upcoming webinars

The Indianapolis Recorder’s Facebook and Twitter pages have links to their news articles and information on when weekly webinars are taking place in partnership with New America Indianapolis; webinars focus on COVID-19 and the black community

The Indy Black Chamber of Commerce website, Facebook and Twitter pages contain information about their organization and upcoming online meetings pertaining to business relief and COVID-19

New America Indianapolis & the Indianapolis Recorder’s community conversations focus on how black business owners can survive the COVID-19 crisis

SCORE schedule for upcoming webinars

IUPUI Workshops and Programs The directory provides information regarding upcoming online courses and workshops offered by multiple departments of IUPUI.

Cybercrime and Scams

COVID-19 Cybercrime and Scams Security.org provides research and information to protect citizens from crimes ranging from home burglaries to cybercrimes.

Library Databases

The library’s business databases can be used to research competitors, potential consumers, and to research topics like payroll taxes during the coronavirus shutdowns. Examples of business databases for competitor and consumer research include ReferenceUSA and Mergent Intellect. You can find more detailed information about business databases on the IndyPL Blog at Business Databases.