Local & Industry Resources
STATE OF TENNESSEE RESOURCES
Office of the Governor - Situation updates, remote testing sites, media briefings.
Department of Labor - File for unemployment as an employee or employer, job center and FAQ.
GREATER MEMPHIS CHAMBER BUSINESS RESOURCES
Tennessee Department of Tourism
- Click for Universal Guidance for Tennessee Businesses.
- Click for Restaurant Industry Guidance.
- Click for Retail Industry Guidance.
- Click for Close Contact Business Guidance.
- Click for Gyms and Exercise Facilities Guidance.
- Click for Additional information on Tennessee's Economic Recovery Group.
- Download the Tennessee Pledge Business toolkit.
Welcome to Memphis COVID-19 Fund
Starting 4/1/2020, hourly workers in the hospitality industry who have received a termination notice may apply for for a one-time grant online at the Welcome to Memphis website. The application will be open and available from Tuesday, March 31 through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6.
Eligible applicants include hourly employees who work in the Memphis area hospitality industry, including employees of:
- Hotels
- Restaurants and bars
- Tourist attractions
- Convention services
- Tour operations
SBA Disaster Loan Information
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Tennessee small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus.
Learn more about the loan and how to qualify here.
SBA Disaster Loan FAQ, Employer Guidance on Safer at Home Requirements Now Available: The following guides have been added to the Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Guidance on COVID-19:
SBA Disaster Loan FAQ – Based on a webinar with SBA hosted by the Chamber this morning for more than 200 local business owners and leaders, the Chamber has published an FAQ with key information for businesses looking to apply for the disaster program. Read more
Employer Guidance for Safer at Home Requirements – The Chamber has provided an overview of critical information for businesses related to the recent Safer at Home mandate that went into effect for Memphis on March 24. Read more
All of this information and more can also be found on the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Website at memphischamber.com
US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act created new temporary paid sick leave and paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) programs that are 100% reimbursable by the federal government. CLICK HERE to download the new guide which provides information on requirements, employee eligibility paid leave calculations and exemptions.
Quick Reference Sheets
The U.S. Chamber has compiled some quick reference sheets that provide information about eligibility, terms and how to apply for SBA Disaster Loans, the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Employee Retention Tax Credit. CLICK HERE to download.
US TRAVEL CARES ACT
The CARES Act, the largest economic relief package in our nation’s history, was signed into law on March 27 and includes major provisions U.S. Travel fought for to deliver economic support to travel businesses, travel workers and their families.
EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND FOR MUSICIANS
Artists may request up to $500.
EMERGENCY FUND TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
ArtsMemphis has established an Artist Emergency Fund to help self-employed artists of all arts disciplines (visual art, literary arts, film, dance, music, theater) and artists employed/contracted by nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Shelby County recover from lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or opportunities (such as a commission, performance, contract, etc.), or due to layoff or furlough due to COVID-19 precautionary measures. This funding is made available with the support of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis’ Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and other ArtsMemphis donors including the Assisi Foundation of Memphis.
Artists may request up to $500 to compensate for work that was scheduled or contracted and canceled or lost. At this time the fund is not available to compensate for potential future loss of business or income.
Relief Funds and Economic Assistance
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MID-SOUTH COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND
The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis has launched a Mid-South COVID-19 Response Fund for funding organizations that serve high-risk residents.
MUSIC EXPORT MEMPHIS COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Music Export Memphis has established a fund to provide financial relief for Memphis musicians who have lost income because of cancellations due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Important note: there is a dropdown menu that allows you to choose how your gift should be designated – please select COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. If you would like to make a gift of $1,000 or more to this fund, please contact MEM Executive Director Elizabeth Cawein to process the gift: [email protected]
If you are an artist in need of support, what we can tell you now is that the application will be simple and have two requirements: that you live in Memphis and can provide some proof of lost income from COVID-19. "In short, artists: we’ve got your back. Stand by for details on how to access funds.”
COVID-19 BLUES MUSICIAN EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
The Blues Foundation established the COVID-19 Blues Musician Emergency Relief Fund to provide immediate resources to full-time blues musicians whose revenue streams have been severely diminished by the current coronavirus pandemic. The fund is intended for blues musicians for whom performing makes up the bulk of their income and who have no other outlets for work. A professional blues musician with financial need will be considered for an award by the Fund Committee based on the subjective merits of their application and financial need. Award amounts are intended to assist primarily with immediate essential needs such as food, rent/mortgage, utilities, phone and car payments. Medical insurance premiums will also be considered.
MEMPHIS FOOD INDUSTRY EMERGENCY WORKER ASSISTANCE RELIEF FUND
Edible Memphis launched an emergency fund for food industry workers.
SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS:
Please complete this short survey to help Edible Memphis prioritize those in our community most at risk and in need. If you haven’t already, click here to begin your application for Unemployment Benefits/Reemployment Assistance.
Memphis Virtual Tip Jar
The website tidymemphis.com has a great, super easy to read list of resources for service industry workers affected by COVID-19 closures and changes. Send money directly to your favorite servers, bartenders, and workers at local Memphis restaurants using this virtual tip jar. Consider donating a few bucks every time you have a meal or a cocktail at home!
If you are a server, you can fill out this form to be added to the tip jar.
Food Assistance
The Mid-South Food Bank is packing up hundreds of boxes to help families and seniors who may be staying at home amid coronavirus concerns. The food bank preparing 250 boxes, weighing more than 30 pounds each to supplement what people may have at home for about 14 days.
Meals For Students
Many local schools are providing meals for students 18 and under. The student must be present in order to receive the meal. Please follow links for additional information.
- More school meal distributions, including Mississippi Schools.
- Shelby County Schools Student Meals
Shelby County Schools is providing free meals for all students Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 60+ local pickup sites like churches, community centers, and libraries. All children under 18, even if not the in district, will be served. See the list of pickup sites here.
- Collierville Schools are providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for children up to 18 beginning March 23. Children must be present at pickup. Submit this form by March 19 to participate in the meal pickup program.
- Hardeman County Schools is providing meals from 10 a.m. to noon March 17 through 20 and again March 30 through April 3 at all school campuses.
- Lauderdale County Schools is making free meals available to students at several locations. Details to be announced.
Meals For Seniors
- Members of City of Memphis Senior Centers will still receive a daily meal from their respective seniors.
- Members registered to receive MIFA meals can opt to pick up their meal from the center they attend or have it delivered using the van service.
- Members at other senior centers have the option to pick up their meals at their respective center for their regular nominal fee.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Donate to the Community Foundation Mid-South COVID-19 Response Fund
- Donate to the Music Export Memphis COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
- Donate to the Memphis Food Industry Emergency Worker Assistance Relief Fund
- Donate to the Memphis Virtual Tip Jar for individual service industry workers.
- Donate to the Mid-South Food Bank. They have bulk buying power, so it’s better to donate money.
- Volunteer
