Cumberland County Small Business Relief Working Capital Grant – Round 1 Guidelines

Administered by Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC)

Purpose

The Cumberland County Small Business Relief Working Capital Program – Round 1 is funded through the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to provide economic recovery assistance to small businesses working to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Through HUD, this grant is made possible as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) program via the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The intent is to provide immediate support to small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Funds can be used for working capital to cover operating expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage, supplies, marketing, PPE and modifications and/or technology to comply with new standards, and to enable jobs creation and/or retention.

Grant Amount

Grants will be awarded for 2 months’ operating expenses up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

  • The business entity (where clients are served) must be physically located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and must serve Cumberland County residents/workers/businesses.
  • Must be a for-profit business.
  • Has 25 or fewer employees. (FTE)
  • Has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
  • Is considered as non-essential according to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s criteria.
  • Applicants that received CDBG COVID-relief funding through the Borough of Carlisle are not eligible.
  • Applicants that received other COVID-relief program funding are eligible; however, priority will be given to those that did not receive other funding.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBG-CV

The federal CDBG-CV program offers grant funding to business owners who are committed to measurable jobs creation and/or retention for low-to-moderate income individuals. The maintaining of recruitment documents, employment data, and quarterly reporting to HUD via CCHRA is a grant compliance requirement for grantees who accept an award.

Evaluation Criteria

This is not a first come, first serve program. All applications submitted between Monday, February 8 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021 will be considered and reviewed equitably using the following criteria:

  • Businesses that fall under the category of non-essential according to state criteria.
  • Closed or operating at or below 50% capacity during the red, yellow, and/or green phases.
  • Closed or operating at or below 50% during any other Government-mandated period.
  • Experienced significant declines in income and cash reserves during the pandemic.
  • Demonstrates sustainability and the ability to recover.
  • Demonstrates pre-COVID-19 profitability.
  • Highest impacted industry sectors will be given priority (i.e., accommodation, bars and restaurants).
  • Must be able to self-certify that the business is licensed to operate.
  • Must be able to certify that the business is willing to participate in the jobs creation and retention effort for low-to-moderate income workers as required by the HUD CDBG-CV program.
  • As a component of the jobs retention effort, the business must be able to certify and provide clear evidence that jobs would be lost if funding is not received.

Grant Request – Required Documentation

Application Process

  • Application documents need to be submitted by Friday, February 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
  • The application is a fillable PDF document and is to be electronically submitted to [email protected].
  • Attachments (Profit & Loss Statements, Tax Returns, and Form W-9) must be digital files.
  • If an applicant is unable to access the electronic application submission process, the form may be downloaded and emailed to [email protected] or arrangements can be made for the applicant to drop off a paper copy of the application package.
  • It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm receipt of the grant application. CAEDC will not be held responsible for any missing applications.
  • Due to the anticipated demand for this program, the processing of applications that are incomplete (missing documentation and/or information) will be delayed. Those applicants will be contacted by email. Responses from the applicant to CAEDC must be received within seven (7) days of CAEDC’s email date. If not received by that time, applications may be disqualified.
  • Additional criteria may be required for your grant application.
  • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an electronic acknowledgment that it was successfully transmitted and was received for review. If you do not receive an electronic acknowledgment, please check your spam/junk mail folder(s).

Timeline

February 8, 2021 – Announcement of grant opportunity

February 19, 2021 – Applications due via on-line portal

Mid-March – Grant decisions finalized by the Grant Committee (will be based on volume)

Mid-March – Applicants notified of status

Early April – Grantee’s executed grant agreements due

Early April – Grant disbursements begin

Award Guidelines and Distribution of Funds

Once approved, an award letter and grant agreement will be emailed to the Grantee for execution. Upon execution, the Grantee shall generate an invoice to CAEDC for the amount of the award. Grants will be disbursed as a direct payout by CCHRA.

After execution of the grant agreement, Grantees have six (6) months to expend the funds. If the funds are not spent within the six-month period, the Grantee must inform CAEDC in writing and may request an extension. CAEDC reserves the right to reject a request for an 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. A Final Grant Report will be submitted by the Grantee within thirty (30) calendar days of the grant being spent. The Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority reserves the right to audit the Grantee’s records to verify the use of funds.

The Grantee is required to treat the grant as income and is responsible to pay all applicable taxes. For more information: Contact Valerie Copenhaver, Director of Community Development by email at [email protected] or (717) 240-7193.

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

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