AIA Tennessee stands at the ready to serve as a resource to our members. As the architecture community — and the global community at large — move through this uncharted territory.
This page is intended to resource sharing guidelines, tools and article of interest for our members. Please also follow our Facebook page for posts on useful articles/services.
Like you, we are receiving vast amounts of information that is changing daily. Sorting through and compiling the items that are most useful to you is a top priority. Please help us by contributing your ideas and experiences. Email us @ ashley@aiatn.org
Tennessee small businesses are now eligible for disaster assistance loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Click HERE for information on the application process or APPLY through the SBA website.
How Architecture Firms can Apply for an SBA COVID-19 Disaster Relief Loan
For those interested in helping with response efforts, FEMA and the US Army Corps of Engineers have created a Disaster Response Registry. Learn more.
State of Tennessee News & Resources
Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 22 that addresses concerns related to “safer at home” and closing all Non Essential Services. Professional services are listed as ESSENTIAL SERVICES. – March 30, 2020
- Office of the Governor- Daily updates on COVID-19 related issues
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development: COVID-19 Unemployment for Employers
- TN Economic & Community Development Small Business Resources
- TN Department of Health- COVID-19
- TN Building Codes Association
Local Resources
- AIA Chattanooga – COVID-19 Resources
- AIA East TN – COVID-19 Resources
- AIA Memphis – COVID-19 Resources
- AIA Middle TN – COVID-19 Resources
- Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Support
- Memphis Chamber of Commerce Business Support
- Chattanooga Area Chamber COVID-19 Support
- Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Business Support
Federal Information and Resources
- PPP Loan Information | Tips and Resources
- AIA Update on Federal Relief Packages Approved Post COVID-19 Outbreak from Timothy Hawk, FAIA – As of today (March 19), Congress has passed two pieces of legislation to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Memo that describes how these two laws impact business owners.
- AIA Letter to Congress on COVID-19 Stimulus – March 19
- Federal Government Response – One Stop for Information- USA.gov
- United States of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
AIA Online Networking
Architectural Business Resources
- AIA National Website – articles, links and beneficial information for AIA members
- An Architect’s Guide to Virtual Practice – The AIA Trust
- The AIA Foresight Report and navigating through a recession with new business models – AIA National
- Straightforward Advice on Preserving Cash Flow – The AIA Trust
- Architecture Firm Best Practices, Resources & Templates for Communications and Temp Policies in Response to COVID-19: – The Practice of Architecture
- COVID-19 Resources for Architecture Firm Owners – The Business of Architecture
- Autodesk Offers Free & Extended Access to Cloud Collaboration Products (updated March 24, 2020) – Autodesk
Architect – Journal of the American Institute of Architects
For the most up-to-date articles, please visit the online journal. Several relevant articles are listed below:
- How Architecture Firms Are Responding to COVID-19
Practitioners across the country offer insight on the impact of the novel coronavirus on their staff, operations, and projects. - Maintaining Business Continuity with a Remote Workforce
- Tips for Architects on Balancing Life while Working from Home
- Navigating the Economy: Architects Weather Ebb and Flow of Projects
Remote Workplace Resources and Tips
- AIA National Telework Policy
- Virtual Program: Architecture Firms and Remote Work – Boston Society of Architects
- Software resources for remote work – helpful tools & resources – Boston Society of Architects
- How to create and effective teleworking program- Society for Human Resource Management
- How to Get People to Actually Participate in Virtual Meetings – Harvard Business Review
- Seven Steps to More Creative, Engaged, and Productive Virtual Meetings-ImageThink
Business Tips & Articles
- Business Continuity Planning Toolkit – Risk Strategies
- Crisis Management Program – Risk Strategies
- Pandemic Prep & Response Plan Template – Risk Strategies
- What Employers Should (and Should Not) Say to Employees to Manage the Challenges of the Coronavirus (Video)- Venable LLP
- NFIB COVID-19 Webinar Part II – Congressional and Legal Update for Small Businesses – National Federation for Independent Businesses
- Coronavirus phishing emails: How to protect against COVID-19 scams – Norton
- Coronavirus in the Workplace: Health, Safety and Insurance Considerations – Marsh
What Can Employers Do Now? (TN Chamber of Commerce)
It is imperative that employers maintain open communication with their employees. Employers should ensure that they have updated contact information for current employees and stay informed of the latest news. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease.” The CDC recommends employers begin implementing the following steps now:
- Encourage employees with acute respiratory illnesses to stay home
- Separate sick employees
- Emphasize cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene
- Perform routine environmental cleaning
- Advise employees about the risks prior to travel to countries that have had a significant outbreak
- Consider informing employees in the case of possible exposure in the workplace