Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Resources

Official page of the City of Jonesboro for businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Here you will find resources, grants, and information to help. 

Questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be asked by calling us at (870) 336-7244 or emailing covid19@jonesboro.org between the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday.  For emergencies, please call 911.



Frequently Asked Questions:
  • How do I get help running my small business?
  • Is there special funding for businesses affected by the emergency?
    • US Small Business Administration – Disaster Loan Assistance: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
      • Eligibility: For-profit or private non-profit businesses; or agriculture cooperative less than 500 employees; Must be affected by the disaster.
      • Use of loan funds: Working capital which includes fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster’s impact. It does not cover lost sales.
      • Maximum loan amount: Secured loan up to $2 million and an unsecured loan up to $25,000.
      • Gather needed information: See https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf
    • State of Arkansas (AEDC) Quick Action Loan Program, https://www.arkansasedc.com/covid19:
      • Eligibility: Small/medium AR business that is in supply chain of essential goods or services (healthcare, food manufacturing, logistics).
      • Maximum Loan: $250,000.
      • Contact: 501-682-112, or COVID19.businessinfo@arkansasedc.com.


    • Paycheck Protection Program (Federal CARES Act), provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Small businesses and sole proprietors can begin applying on April 3. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning on April 10. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating.  Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.
  • How do my employees claim unemployment insurance?
  • What are the CDC recommendations for employers to deal with the emergency?
    • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
    • Separate sick employees.
    • Emphasize respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees.
    • Perform routine environmental cleaning.
    • Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps (on CDC website).
    • Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
    • If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
  • Is there guidance on how to operate child care facilities?
    • Which local restaurants have changed their service?
  • Has barber shops, beauty salons, and similar businesses closed?
    • In his daily press briefing on March 23, Governor Hutchinson announced a new directive closing barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, tattoo studios, massage therapy locations and more. The official directive from the Arkansas Department of Health detailing these closures will be available from the ADH website.  This directive will be in effect as of March 25, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. 
    • Jonesboro residents who observe establishments operating out of compliance with the Arkansas Department of Health’s directives are encouraged to call the non-emergency line for Police Dispatch at (870) 935-5553.
  • Has State Tax Filing been extended?
    • The Governor announced on 3/23 that the individual tax filing deadline in Arkansas has been extended to July 15, matching federal individual income tax deadlines. Existing deadlines for corporate and estimated tax filers remain the same for Arkansas state taxes.