The Greater Memphis Chamber is an independent, non-profit organization completely funded by businesses in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Our purpose is to advocate for business in the region.  

During the COVID-19 public health crisis, our team is providing information and resources to area businesses including the Open 901 Business Directory,  free webinars, expert advice, advocacy and more. 

Learn more about membership

For the latest updates on reopening plans and information for businesses to prepare for reopening, visit our Reopening Information page.

Free, drive thru testingis available for all Shelby County residents, regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, on Saturdays and Sundays at the following location. No appointment is necessary.

Christ Community Health Center
969 Frayser Blvd., Memphis
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information on the state's free testing program, click here.

Tests can be preformed on individuals showing symptoms at a number of facilities across the region. A full list can be found here.

Yes! The Chamber's Open 901 Business Directory is a free resource for showcasing businesses that remain open with modified hours or new service offerings during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Do you have a business to promote? Fill out this form to be added to the directory. 

Follow the Chamber on social media or look for the hashtag #Open901 to learn about businesses in our directory.

The Chamber is maintaining a list of suppliers for PPE items for business. If you'd like more information, contact us. 

Tennessee is now included in the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Declaration. Memphis and Shelby County businesses now have access to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The EIDL provide long-term, low-interest loans to qualifying businesses statewide.

Here is a list of loans available for Small Businesses.

Sole proprietors, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and self-employed individuals are all eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program.

If your small business employs 500 or fewer employees or if your business is in an industry that has an employee-based size standard through SBA that is higher than 500 employees.

The Paycheck Protection Program provides federally-guaranteed loans up to a maximum amount of $10 million to eligible businesses, which can be partially forgivable, to encourage businesses to retain employees through the covid-19 crisis by assisting in the payment of certain operational costs. VIEW FAQ HERE. 

Paycheck Protection Program Overview

Calculate Payroll  by Industry Tool 

Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet 

Paycheck Protection Lender Application

Paycheck Protection Borrower Application

Check out our list of Chamber member lending institutions offering the PPP. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of local lenders offering the program.

List of Local Lenders

• Unemployment Information for Employers
• COVID-19 What Employers Need to Know

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES for employees

• Unemployment Information for Employees
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits Information
• WorkLife Partnership Resource Navigator Service– One-on-One support for your

employees when life gets tough.

Federal, state, and local governments have all issued guidance on which types of businesses are allowed to remain open during the Safer at Home order.

Tennessee Essential Businesses & Services  

The Memphis Medical Society is accepting and distributing donations of PPE to local healthcare professionals. If you have readily available supplies such as masks, gloves or protective eyewear, please fill out this form.

TN Creators Respond is a program created by the Tennessee Chamber to help connect the dots between manufacturers and companies with the capability of producing, warehousing and or distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) or components of PPE that are needed in hospital systems and medical centers across our state.

TN Creators Respond will assist in matching up resources to maximize efforts across our state to meet the needs of our medical community during this unprecedented time.

• The City of Memphis is under a Shelter in Place Order until May 5.
• Personal taxes are now due June 15
• The filing deadlines for Franchise and Excise Tax and Hall Income Tax returns originally due April 15, 2020, have been extended to July 15, 2020.  
• Tennessee schools are closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• For the latest updates on Reopening Memphis and Shelby County, click here. 

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

NOTE: As of April 16, the Payroll Protection Program has reached its funding limit.

The Paycheck Protection Act provides federally-guaranteed loans up to a maximum amount of $10 million to eligible businesses, which can be partially forgivable, to encourage businesses to retain employees through the COVID-19 crisis by assisting in the payment of certain operational costs. View THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION ACT FAQ here. 

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Paycheck Protection Program Overview

Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet

Paycheck Protection Lender Application

Paycheck Protection Borrower Application

SBA Releases Details on Paycheck Protection Program

SBA Release PPP Guidance on Self-Employment 

If you are a lender interested seeking more information on offering the Paycheck Protection Program,
contact Lisa Denson with the TN Small Business Administration.

SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE PROGRAM 

SBA Disaster Assistance Response Program for COVID-19 NOW OPEN
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 (COVID-19).

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or     hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Business Loan Application

Request Free Advising from TSBDC for SBA Loan Application

Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL)

FEDERAL RESERVE MAIN STREET LENDING PROGRAM

The Federal The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.

Term Sheet: Main Street New Loan Facility (PDF)

Term Sheet: Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (PDF)

US CHAMBER FOUNDATION SAVE SMALL BUSINESS FUND

NOTE: This program has reached capacity and is not accepting new applicants at this time.

Save Small Business Fund

The Save Small Business Fund is a grant making initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers possible. Learn more.

CITY OF MEMPHIS MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM

The City of Memphis has created two micro-loan program to assist Memphis businesses experiencing hardships during the COVID19 pandemic. There are no fees to apply.

Economic Hardship Economy Fund OPEN NOW

Economic Hardship Economy Fund (EHE) offer loans from $2,000 to $5,000 and no interest for six months. Businesses and their owners must be located within the City of Memphis, have less than $1 million in annual revenue, be in business for at least three years, and be certified with the OBDC. Applications are now open for the EHE loan fund.

Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund OPENS EARLY MAY

Small Business Resiliency (SBR) loan fund will offer loans from $5,000 to $35,000 and will delay repayment for 90 days. Applicants must show proof of being denied by the Small Business Administration or a SBA lender, must be located within a distressed community within Memphis, must be in business for at least three years, and must be certified with the City’s Office of Business Diversity & Compliance. The funds for the program are from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program. Applications will be open by early May for the SBR fund. 

For more information or to get started, contact OBDC at 636-9300, 636-6210 or email Loan Administrator Jerry Brack at jerry.brack@memphistn.gov. 

EDGE Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development Grant

The EDGE Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED) Grant was created to provide relief to neighborhood-serving businesses in our city's most distressed areas. Grants of up to $10,000 will be made to businesses located in New Markets Tax Credit Eligible Census Tracks throughout the City of Memphis that have experienced at least a 25% loss in revenue as a result of COVID-19.

There is a requirement to sign up with TSBDC for free business counseling services here: https://www.tsbdc.org/swtcc/

If applicants have any questions, leave a message on the Grant line at 901-341-2100.

WELCOME TO MEMPHIS  COVID-19 RELIEF FUND FOR HOSPITALITY & RESTAURANT WORKERS

Welcome to Memphis COVID-19 Relief Fund

Starting today, hourly workers in the hospitality industry who have been terminated may apply for one-time grants online on the Welcome to Memphis website.

The application will be available until the end of the business day on Monday, April 6, and grants will be awarded that same week.

DOWNTOWN FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM

The Downtown Business Continuity - Forgivable Loan Program (Program) is designed to assist eligible businesses that are in serious jeopardy of permanent closure due solely to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic impacts. A review of both the financial history and the current financial condition of the business will be used to determine need and potential eligibility. The Program will provide direct financial assistance to existing, locally-owned, eligible businesses, with a preference for businesses operating continuously within the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) for a minimum of 12 months preceding the application submittal date. Applicants will also be considered if the business was open as of February 1, 2020, and the business owner/operator has a history of successful operations.

Loan applications will be accepted beginning April 2, 2020, and end when the approved funding is depleted.

MEMPHIS MEDICAL DISTRICT COLLABORATIVE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND

In response to the economic hardships experienced by small businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, MMDC is launching the Small Business Emergency Assistance Fund in an effort to retain jobs and stabilize Medical District businesses.

Businesses can request up to $15,000 in grant funding through this fund program. There are limited dollars for these funds; awards will be based on order of application received, application responses, demonstration of need and available dollars. Approval is at the sole discretion of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative.

Music Export Memphis COIVD-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Musicians

Epicenter 

Epicenter's Resources for Startups and Small Businesses | Entrepreneurs and business owners, express your needs by completing the COVID-19 Business Support Form.

Facebook Small Business Resource Center