On April 1, 2024, the County of Hawai’i posted the following RFP for Small Business Economic Recovery and Support Programs on its PUBLIC PURCHASE platform:

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

 County of Hawaiʻi

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS 

RFP No. 4574

To Apply

Potential Applicants MUST register with Public Purchase.

Applications MUST be download and submitted on Public Purchase.

The Hawai’i County Department of Research and Development (County) is requesting proposals from qualified applicants to support the recovery from the COVID-19 impacts and foster increased economic resilience among small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate that they can meet all the RFP requirements and complete all activities within the contract period. 

This RFP is requesting grant applications for programs and projects that:

1. Respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
2. Are designed to increase resiliency, support recovery, and provide relief.

In some cases, applicants heavily impacted, or disproportionately impacted, by the pandemic may primarily seek funds for economic relief.

Submission of Questions

Applicants shall submit all questions via Public Purchase. All questions will receive a response through the Public Purchase platform.

Pre-Proposal Conference

A virtual pre-proposal conference will be scheduled for April 8, 2024, at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm HST.  Prospective applicants are not required but are strongly encouraged to attend.  This pre-proposal conference provides an opportunity for interested entities to submit questions regarding the requirements set forth in this RFP.  In order to make the meeting more effective for all participants, attendees should read this RFP thoroughly prior to the meeting.  Please note that not all items or questions brought up during the conference will necessarily be released in an addendum.  Substantial clarifications or changes required as a result of the meeting will be issued in the form of a posted addendum to the RFP on the Public Purchase website.

 Zoom Meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1608559445?pwd=Ly9TQit2WVl0TE92Wk14L2ZtRXhKQT09 

Or call in (audio only): +1 669 254 5252 US

Meeting ID: 160 855 9445
Passcode:  053952

Recording of the April 8, 2024, Pre-Proposal Conference

https://www.zoomgov.com/rec/share/O746Jak3bYWs5GV-0AqRtnI2F8N5Ynw_rQJMVu9gtpCsPGg3REWxHxJCSnyUwyG4.uGKhuDCfZI2LUj9w?startTime=1712617165000

SBA Press Release HI 20039-01

Release Date: October 31, 2023

Small nonfarm businesses in Hawaiʻi County are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in Hawaii County that began Aug. 15. SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the first disbursement date.

By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Oct. 10.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Service Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/disaster. 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. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 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 economic injury is June 10, 2024.

Kailua Kona Business Recovery Center Closing November 9, 2023 

Press Release

The Kailua-Kona Business Recovery Center will close on November 9, 2023.

Until the center closes, Small Business Administration customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBAʻs disaster loan program, explain the application process, help complete the electronic loan applications and close approved loans. No appointment is necessary.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on the SBA’s disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 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 property damage is Nov. 9, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 10, 2024.

Release Date: September 15, 2023

Release Number: HI 18061-08

Fact Sheet

SBA to Open Business Recovery Center in Kailua-Kona
to Help Businesses Impacted by Maui Wildfires

Recovery Center Opens Following Recently Expanded Disaster Assistance for Hawaii

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with the Hawaii Small Business Development Center to open an SBA Business Recovery Center in Kailua-Kona on Monday, Sept. 18, to provide a wide range of services to small businesses impacted by Maui wildfires that began Aug. 8. The Kailua-Kona opening follows a recently expanded declaration by the Biden Administration to allow small businesses in all five of Hawaii’s counties to access wildfire-related disaster assistance.

“Due to the severe property damage in Maui and economic losses the Maui wildfires inflicted on small businesses in all of Hawaii, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Director Jeffrey Lusk of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center‑West. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each small business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The center will open as indicated below.

HAWAII COUNTY

Business Recovery Center

West Hawaii Civic Center

Next to the “Vehicle Registration and Licensing” office

74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway

Kailua-Kona, HI  96740

Opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18

Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

SBA representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application.

As SBA previously announced, SBA representatives continue to be available at the following Business Recovery Centers in Honolulu, Kauai, Kihei and a Portable Loan Outreach Center in Lahaina to provide information on SBA disaster loans and business assistance on the dates and times indicated.

Homeowners, renters and business owners from Maui who have been displaced by the Maui wildfires, and small businesses in all of Hawaii that have working capital needs caused by the Maui wildfires, may also visit the centers to meet with SBA representatives and apply for disaster loans.

According to Interim State Director Joseph Burns, Hawaii Small Business Development Center business advisors can provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future.

“Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation,” Burns said.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates are 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://www.sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 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. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 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 property damage is Oct. 10, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 10, 2024.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

See the U.S. Small Business Administrationʻs Press Release announcing the agency's expanded disaster relief for small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, and Kauaʻi counties as a result of wildfires that began August 8, 2023, in Maui County. 

 Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship. 

• The maximum EIDL amount is $2 million.
• These are working capital loans and may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills.
• The interest rate is 4% for businesses and 2.375% for nonprofits.
• Term is up to 30 years.
• Payments are deferred for one year.

 

HAWAIʻI STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (HISTEP)

Participate in HiSTEP and grow your international export business. Learn more about the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Expansion Program, also known as HiSTEP. The program is designed to assist small businesses in Hawaiʻi with growing their export business in markets around the world. For more information, visit the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's  (DBEDT) Business Development and Support Division website.

HiSTEP has three integrated components:

1. Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP)
2. Hawaiʻi Pavilions (HiSTEP-HP)
3. Company Assistance (HiSTEP-CA)

The 2023 HiSTEP Registration is now open. Please fill out the 2023 HiSTEP Registration Form. There is no cost to register and no obligation to participate in any of the HiSTEP activities. Once registered, you will be paired with one of our HiSTEP partners for an initial consultation. You only need to fill it it out once, but we use other online forms for all HiSTEP activities.

The Enterprise Zone program is a state-county partnership that has been growing job opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island for over 20 years by incentivizing business investment in areas with low income or high unemployment.

• Nearly 300 Hawaiʻi Island businesses have participated in the Enterprise Zone program since 1994.
• In 2013, Enterprise Zone participating companies on Hawaiʻi Island accounted for over $116 million in revenue and over 600 jobs.
• The Enterprise Zone is an area within which businesses engaged in eligible activities can receive state and county tax incentives, provided they meet job growth goals (or revenue goals for agriculture businesses).
• Businesses in an Enterprise Zone can participate in the program for seven years (ten for agriculture or manufacturing businesses).
• Participating businesses are eligible for 100% exemption from state wholesale general excise tax (.5%), 20-80% non-refundable credit on state income tax, and a non-refundable state tax credit for the cost of unemployment insurance premiums.
• Businesses are also eligible for a three-year exemption from any increase in county property taxes resulting from new construction.
• Enterprise Zone eligible activities include farming, ranching, agricultural processing, and certain kinds of high tech businesses.

The Enterprise Zone designation does not supersede any county zoning, state land use designation, building regulations, or any other regulations applicable to business operations.

• Map of Hawaiʻi County Enterprise Zones

Forms

• Enterprise Zone Enrollment Application for Businesses
• End of Year Report Form
• Three-Year Extension Application Form
• Force Majeure Event Claim Application
• State of Hawaiʻi’s Enterprise Zone Program

• The Kohala Center’s Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services program works to expand and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s rural economies and food systems by providing cooperative and business development services to farmers, value-added producers, and small businesses.

• Starting a Nonprofit - See The Foundation Center’s GRANTSPACE page for Nonprofit Startup Resources by State. One of these resources is Harbor Compliance’s “How to Start a Nonprofit in Hawaiʻi.”

• Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center Network

• Size Up Your Business

• Hawaiʻi Business Express is the quick and easy way to start a business in the State of Hawaiʻi. Use the step-by-step online wizard to file with multiple agencies or file a specific form directly with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

• Hawaiʻi Tax Online is a convenient amd secure way to obtain a State ID Tax Number, submit a BB-1, file tax returns, make payments, view letters, manage your accounts, and conduct other common transactions online with the Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation.

• Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program (HISTEP) is a comprehensive program designed to assist Hawaiʻi small businesses with their export development. Visit HiSTEP website for training announcements, program benefits, and eligibility information.

• State of Hawaiʻi Business Portal

• Foreign Trade Program

• Enterprise Zone: The Enterprise Zone program is a state-county partnership that has been growing job opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island for over 20 years by incentivizing business investment in areas with low income or high unemployment.

• Small Business Administration
• Business USA
• Internal Revenue Service Tax Information for Business
• IRS Tax Calendar for Business and the Self-Employed
• Assess Costs Everywhere provides manufacturers with the top reasons for investing and sourcing in the United States. With its analytic framework, links to public and private resources, and case studies, ACE is now available to help businesses assess total costs more accurately and enable informed decision-making.
• USDA Rural Development Programs
• Federal Business Opportunities - Search for active federal opportunities.
  • Vendor Guide
• Hawaii Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HI-PTAC)