The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was signed in to law on March 27, 2020. A focus of this program was to provide additional benefits to small food and farm businesses. Dairy businesses were encouraged to take advantage of this program by several extension entities. Two main programs were highlighted:
- The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – providing small businesses with the resources they need to maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead. This program closed August 8, 2020.
- Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet – UT Extension
- Paycheck Protection Program: Round II – UT Extension
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – assistance up to $10,000 to provide economic relief to businesses currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.