government grants

There are other federal agencies that also offer small business assistance, and finding the right ones willing to help your small business can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But it may be worth it, Agudo says. "It's important for employers to ask, 'How can I apply? What are the application requirements?' [during the search process]. This needs to be very public," he explains. Here are some places to start:

• Grants.gov:  A clearinghouse for information on all types of federal government grants.
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT):  These two competitive Small Business Administration programs focus on research and development grants.
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA):  For rural or agricultural businesses, the USDA offers a variety of grant and loan programs.

State and regional economic development authorities

States, regions and counties — and specifically, their economic development authorities — are places where you can find financing options, says Agudo. These programs may vary depending on the priorities of the administration in charge, but it is a good idea to keep abreast of new offerings. For example, in late May, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (Democrat) announced the New York Forward loan fund , aimed at small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees.

Other types of help

The government

can also be a good resource to help you find and apply for these loan and grant programs. SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers) are important resources for information and may be able to help you find different programs. Your local SBDC  may also be a good source for information on state and regional economic development programs that may benefit your business.Additionally,  SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives , is a nonprofit organization that provides free mentors and advisors to small businesses. If your lender requires you to submit a business plan or if you are looking for ways to get into potentially lucrative segments like exporting or government contracts, your local SBDC or SCORE office may be able to connect you with people and resources that can help.Although few loans are obtained directly from the government, there are often innovative and business-friendly programs at all levels. Find an approved lender and explore your options based on your business goals. You may find that Uncle Sam or your state government has the perfect solution for getting the funding your business needs, both during the COVID-19 epidemic and after.