Borough of Carlisle’s CARES Act Grant Guidelines

Administered by Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC)

Purpose

This grant program was created to provide support to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. These funds are being made possible through the 2020 CARES Act stimulus program that was signed into law on March 27, 2020 by the President. As a HUD entitlement community, the Borough of Carlisle received funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. In order to help accelerate economic recovery within the Borough of Carlisle’s small business community, the Borough has allocated $150,000 (one hundred fifty thousand dollars) to be used toward small business grants for short-term working capital to enable retention of jobs.

Funds can be used for working capital to cover up to two months’ operating expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage, supplies, PPE, technology, and/or technical assistance to help navigate other loan programs, or funding to help small business meet CDC guidance on social distancing.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate, the applicant must be:

• physically located within the Borough of Carlisle (preference given to the Borough’s Central Business District (C-1 District); and,
• a for-profit business; and,
• negatively affected by COVID-19.

Applicants that received funding such as CAEDC Tourism Product Development Funding in 2019 or 2020, COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Cumberland County’s Renew Cumberland Small Business Grant (RCSBG), and/or other grants/loans that were available through the Small Business Administration, or other state and federal agencies may still apply. However, priority will be given to those businesses that did not receive other funding to date.

Evaluation Criteria

This is not a first-come, first served process. All applications submitted by September 28 at 4:30pm, will be considered and reviewed equitably using the following criteria:

• businesses that fall under the category of non-essential according to state criteria
• businesses that were closed, or received a waiver and operating at or below 50% capacity during the red, yellow and/or green phase
• significant declines in income and cash reserves
• number of years in business
• demonstrate longevity and commitment
• demonstrate ability for long-term sustainability
• compliance with COVID-19 related orders from the Governor’s administration

Note: The Relief Grant Committee reserves the right to change evaluation criteria or eligibility based on the applications received.

Use of Grant Funds

The applicant will choose how best to utilize the funding across working capital needs and facility retrofit improvements for public health requirements.

Grant Request

Due to limited funding, the amount available per business is as follows:

Ineligible Expenses

Include but are not limited to the following:

• Expenses not related to COVID-19 emergency
• Expenses incurred before March 1, 2020
• Expenses that have been, or will be, reimbursed through another federal program or some other funding source
• Damages covered by insurance
• Employee bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime
• Severance pay
• Legal settlements
• Amortization, depreciation, interest, taxes, penalties, etc.
• Bad debt write-offs
• Donations
• Penalties and fines

Application Process

•  Applications will be announced on/about September 14, 2020 via Carlisle Borough Facebook, website, and Twitter as well as promoted by the Downtown Carlisle Association, Greater Carlisle Chamber of Commerce, and CAEDC.
• Applications are due no later than close of business on September 28, 2020.
• The application is a Microsoft Word document and must be submitted to the Borough’s Evaluator, CAEDC, at: [email protected]. Note: Handwritten applications are strongly discouraged.
• All attachments should be provided in digital, electronic format.
• While CAEDC will provide an e-mailed confirmation of receipt, however it is the ultimate responsibility of the applicant to confirm receipt of the grant application. Note: CAEDC will not be held responsible for any missing applications.
• Additional criteria may be required for a grant application by the Evaluator, CAEDC or the Borough’s HUD administrator, Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County (RACC).
• Applications will go through a final review by the Borough of Carlisle’s Relief Grant Committee.

Timeline

September 14, 2020 – Announcement of grant opportunity
September 28, 2020 – Applications due via on-line portal
{TBA} – Grant decisions finalized by Grant Relief Committee
{TBA}- Applicants notified of status
{TBA}- Grantees’ executed grant agreements due
{TBA}- Grant disbursements begin

Note: Grantees are required to submit a Final Grant Report within 30 calendar days of grant being spent. Grantees are required to expend the funds within six (6) months of receiving funds.

Grant Guidelines and Distribution of Funds

Once approved, an award letter and grant agreement will be e-mailed to the Grantee for execution. Upon execution, the Borough’s assigned agents (CAEDC and RACC) will coordinate disbursement of the funds.

Grantees have six (6) months to expend the funds. If the funds are not expended within the designated time period, the Grantee must inform CAEDC in writing to request an extension. The Borough of Carlisle, CAEDC, and the RACC reserve the right to reject a request for extension and cancel the grant.

As a provision of accepting these funds, Grantees must provide adequate proof that the funds received were used for their intended purpose and will be required to submit a Final Grant Report within 30 calendar days of the grant being spent. CAEDC reserves the right to audit the Grantee’s records and use of funds.

Grantee is required to treat the grant as income and is responsible for reporting and paying any applicable taxes associated with said grant.

For more information: Contact Valerie Copenhaver, at Cumberland County Area Economic Development Corporation at 717-240-7193.

Note: Recipients must comply with all applicable federal and state regulations included the Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200)

Back to Borough of Carlisle’s CARES Act Application page