For those businesses seeking a federal small business loan as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Davidson County Register of Deeds can provide the charter document required for the application process, according to Register of Deeds Karen Johnson. If the charter was filed with the Register’s office, as instructed by the Secretary of State when it was issued, the document is available free of charge.

“Many of our local businesses may be suffering economically due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Johnson said. “In order to help them with the process of applying for a loan from the Small Business Administration, we can provide them with a copy of their business charter at no cost.

“If you filed your charter with the Register of Deeds office, according to the instructions you originally received from the Secretary of State, we will have it on file. We encourage you to call us at 615-862-6790 so we can pull the charter on file. We can provide it by email or by postal mail.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses that maintain their payroll during this emergency. These loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.

“This is a service we can provide to help local businesses during this difficult time,” Register Johnson said.