Athens-Clarke County will be sending a limited number of brief emails to businesses with Business Occupation Tax Certificates in Athens-Clarke County with important updates over the coming weeks.

Got Questions? New Athens Business Support Email at BusinessSupport@accgov.com

The ACCGov Economic Development Department is partnering with other local entities on a business support email hotline at BusinessSupport@accgov.com to answer your questions and share info with local businesses.

If you have questions related to coronavirus concerns for your business or seeking help with business / workforce / non-profit resources and opportunities, send an email to BusinessSupport@accgov.com and have your questions answered by ACCGov Economic Development or a local partner organization.

Community partners that will help answer questions include the Athens-Clarke Economic Development Department; the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce; Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley; Fortson, Bentley and Griffin; UGA Small Business Development Center - Athens Center; and the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

In addition to providing direct responses to questions, ACCGov will post answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the ACCGov Business & Workforce Resources web page available through www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

Region 5 SBA Emergency Loan Program Webinar

SBA Emergency Loan Programs Additional Information & Webinar on Wed., April 15 at 1:00 p.m.

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has scheduled additional webinars to help small-business owners in Georgia navigate the application process for federal assistance during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The webinar for Region 5, which includes Athens-Clarke County, is scheduled for Wed., April 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Information about the webinar, including login information, can be found at www.georgiasbdc.org/georgia-small-business-recovery.

The website is updated frequently and also includes the informational PowerPoint used in the webinars, a video recording of an earlier webinar, and an updated listing of frequently asked questions and responses.

The informational website was created by the SBDC in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, allocates $349 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid current circumstances. The CARES Act provides funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), modifies the existing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and provides immediate loan payment relief for current SBA 7(a) borrowers.

Guidance for Retailers, Consumers at Points of Purchase

Governor Brian P. Kemp joined the American Transaction Processors Coalition, Georgia Retail Association, and Georgia Food Industry Association in issuing guidance regarding the use of PIN numbers and other best practices at points of purchase as Georgia continues to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Consumer Tips:

If a contactless payment option is available (e.g., Apple Pay, or tap and pay), use it.
Clean your payment cards using soap, hand sanitizer, or alcohol after each use.
Maintain control of your card, whenever possible, rather than handing it to the merchant.
If asked for a signature, PIN, or other information at the payment terminal, use your own pen (for signing) or personal stylus (for touchscreens) if you can.
If using home delivery services, pay in advance through a website, app, or telephone.

Merchant and ATM Owner Tips:

Merchants and ATM owners are encouraged to clean and disinfect terminals frequently and implement some changes to the payment process to reduce consumer interaction with equipment.
Follow manufacturer guidelines to protect and care for payment terminals.
Use 60% or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer, card reader cleaners, alcohol-based disinfectant wipes (NO BLEACH), or glass cleaner.
Clean checkout and payment terminal area frequently (or after each transaction, if possible). Consider all checkout touch points (e.g., payment terminal including PIN pad, check lane counter and merchandise dividers, self-checkout lanes).
When cleaning the terminal, do not clean the electrical connections and plugs.
Never spray any product directly onto the terminal. Use a cloth or wipe that has been sprayed instead.

Governor Kemp’s shelter in place order allows for the suspension of the use of PIN pads, PIN entry devices, electronic capture signature, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements if it is permitted by underlying credit card agency and company agreements.

Retailers should ensure EBT card users can continue to access PIN pads to enter this information during transactions.