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Bladen Community College’s Small Business Center continues to offer assistance online and over the phone, according to Todd Lyden, director of the local center.

Most people are attempting to use the Small Business Administration site to register for economic injury assistance, Lyden explained. “Some people are having issues and we were given some guidance.”

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper expanded the list of public places he is ordering to close to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Effective Monday, March 23, gatherings are to be limited to no more than 50 people. Following are the businesses ordered to be closed by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, according to Gov. Cooper.

Following are the businesses to be closed by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Barber Shops

Beauty Salons

Bingo Parlors

Bowling Alleys

Ice Skating Rinks

Indoor Exercise Facilities (this includes gyms, yoga studios, and martial arts facilities)

Hair Salons

Health Clubs

Indoor Pools

Live Performance Venues

Manicure/Pedicure Providers

Massage Therapy

Movie Theaters

Nail Salons

Roller skating Rinks

Spas

Sweepstakes Lounges

Video game arcades

Tattoo Parlors

Lyden offered the following tips for business owners wanting to apply for disaster loans.

1. If you hit a glitch and see any statements such as ” this area is not declared”, or “esign is not working”, etc. you should screenshot the page and email to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

2. “Continue to try and re-access the SBA portal every four (4) hours”

Once the application is submitted the business owner will receive a confirmation notification. Some applications are already being processed.

The SBA site is experiencing a high volume of traffic, so you may wait to apply during off-peak hours, according to Lyden, which are from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Lyden also announced, a statewide business preparedness webinar on at 2:30 pm, Wednesday 25th, that people can register for here: https://www.ncsbc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=40400004

“We are working on some webinars and other remote resources for business owners that will be announced very soon!” Lyden said.

State information can be found in several locations:

The SBC site, here: https://bit.ly/covidncbiz

Lyden also offered a fact sheet and an update about economic injury disaster loans: NC_16345 EIDL Fact Sheet (002) UPDATE FOR SENDING IN ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN

Lyden is also working remotely and people can still contact him via email at tlyden@bladencc.edu or by telephone at 910-879-5572.