COVID-19 Resources for Local Businesses

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Local Businesses

A Message from Orange County Economic Development

As we work together to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we want you to know that we are here to support Orange County businesses, community leaders, and residents during this time. Below are some resources to help those who have been affected by COVID-19.

-Rose Deal, Project Manager Orange County Economic Development

BOUNCE BACK ORANGE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT

Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant will offer grants to qualified businesses and organizations that will not have to be repaid. The program is funded using federal CARES Act funds provided to Orange County and will be administered by Community Investment Collaborative (CIC). The grant application process will open on August 3, 2020, closing on August 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST.  Grant awards will be awarded on August 31, 2020.  Please note it may take 7-10 days for your bank to receive the funds, with the large volume of transactions being handled by CIC. 

The aim of the $300,000 fund, which includes $200,000 for for-profit businesses and private schools, and $100,000 for non-profit entities, is to award cash grants to small businesses and organizations impacted by COVID-19 in a timely and efficient manner.

FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Eligibility:

• Must be operational as of March 27, 2020

• Must be based within Orange County

o Does not require a “storefront” location. Can be home-based business

• Current on local taxes

o Money cannot be used to become current on taxes

• For-profit businesses and private schools/childcare/daycare (for profit or nonprofit, 501(k)) 

• Must show a revenue loss or expenditure increase due to COVID-19 health crisis

Amount awarded:

• Grants of up to $5,000 for businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees.

• Grants of up to $10,000 for businesses with more than 10 but fewer than 50 full-time employees.

Funds may be used for:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements

• Website, eCommerce, or other digital forms of communicating to customers or clients

• Payroll or other operating expenses

• Rent or mortgage payments

• Debt incurred because of COVID-19 disruption

• Teleworking

• Loss of revenue due to implementation of Forward Virginia guidelines

• Funds cannot be used for:

o Payment of federal. state or local taxes

o Expenses incurred before March 1, 2020

Priority distribution if program is overcapacity*:

• Closed during Phase III

• Closed during Phase II

• Closed during Phase I

• Partially open during Phase III

• Partially open during Phase II

• Partially open during Phase I

• Remained open but suffered financial loss

*PPP funded, or UI recipient, will be used as a tiebreaker and not an eliminating factor. However, funds cannot be requested for the same use.

What you need to apply:

• Completed Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant interest form https://forms.gle/cRTNq8TaeqxnfCDv9.   This is NOT the grant application. We will use the information captured in the interest form to notify you when the grant application opens on August 3, 2020. This is a required step in the process. The application will be an online form, backed by Lenderfit, to which you must be electronically invited. The interest form generates your emailed invitation. 

• IRS Form 941- most recent quarterly filing (employee count confirmation)

• 2019 federal tax return (or 2019 P&L if not filed)

• Bank statements (March to June 2020 and March to June 2019)

• List of qualifying expenses for which the grant will be used:

o If past expense between March 1 and present, record of those expenses – example: receipt, canceled check, paid invoice

o If expense has not occurred, provide an estimate/budget to be completed by 9/30/2020 

Application Process

1. You will receive an email from CIC inviting you to LenderFit, the software used to process applications.

2. You will submit your application.

3. CIC will review applications.

4. Locality will review and approve the list of suggested awardees.

5. CIC will make announcements.

6. You MUST submit your ACH information for funding.

7. CIC will fund you. 

8. If you have a future renovation cost, Orange County Economic Development staff will check in on or about September 30 to review your completion.

NON-PROFITS

Eligibility:

• Must be operational as of March 27, 2020

• Must be based within Orange County

• Must be a nonprofit (501(c)3, 4 or 6)

• Must be operating legally

• Cannot be a for-profit or school

• Must show a revenue loss or expenditure increase due to COVID-19 health crisis 

• If the non-profit has received other COVID-19 relief funding from the locality, the new grant request must be for used for other expenses

Amount awarded:

• Provided an ongoing community need: up to $10,000

• Other nonprofit: up to $5,000

Funds may be used for:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements

• Website, eCommerce, or other digital forms of communicating to customers or clients

• Payroll or other operating expenses

• Rent or mortgage payments

• Debt incurred because of COVID-19 disruption

• Teleworking

• Loss of revenue due to implementation of Forward Virginia guidelines

• Funds cannot be used for:

o Expenses incurred before March 1, 2020

Priority distribution if overcapacity:

• Provided on an ongoing basis: food

• Provided on an ongoing basis: childcare

• Provided on an ongoing basis: healthcare

• Provided on an ongoing basis: other household needs (clothes)

• Did not provide a community need on an ongoing basis

• Non-profit has not received other funding from the locality related to COVID-19.  

What you need to apply

• Completed Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant interest form https://forms.gle/cRTNq8TaeqxnfCDv9. This is NOT the grant application. We will use the information captured in the interest form to notify you when the grant application opens on August 3, 2020. This is a required step in the process. The application will be an online form, backed by Lenderfit, to which you must be invited. The interest form generates your emailed invitation. 

• IRS Form 990

• IRS Determination Letter

• 2019 P&L or bank statements (March to June 2020 and March to June 2019)

• List of qualifying expenses for which the grant will be used:

o If past expense between March 1 and present, record of those expenses – example: receipt, canceled check, paid invoice

o If expense has not occurred, provide an estimate/budget to be completed by 9/30/2020

Application Process

1. You will receive an email from CIC inviting you to LenderFit, the software used to process applications.

2. You will submit your application.

3. CIC will review applications.

4. Locality will review and approve the list of suggested awardees.

5. CIC will make announcements.

6. You MUST submit your ACH information for funding.

7. CIC will fund you. 

8. If you have a future renovation cost, Orange County Economic Development staff will check in on or about September 30 to review your completion.

QUESTIONS?

Orange County Economic Development department has contracted Community Investment Collaborative to assist with the implementation of the Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant program. Orange County Economic Development retains program oversight and management of the Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant program. 

For questions or assistance applying, please contact Rose Deal, Project Manager at 540-672-1238 or by email at rdeal@orangceountyva.gov 

Other Grant Opportunities

VA 30 Day Fund – The non-profit Virginia 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Virginia-based small businesses. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum three days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding.

Southern Smoke Foundation – Emergency Funding Opportunity For Employees in the Food And Beverage Industry: Southern Smoke Foundation provides funding to individuals in the food and beverage industry who are in crisis. To qualify for emergency relief funding you must have worked in the food and beverage industry for a minimum of 6 months and an average of 30 hours per week minimum. Every applicant must show proof of such employment, so please have paycheck stubs and/or W2s available.

Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund for Small Businesses - The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19, including restaurants, brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness facilities, personal care and personal grooming services, entertainment and public amusement establishments, and campgrounds. Businesses and non-profits that are approved for a Rebuild VA grant may receive up to 3 times their average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000.  THE APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING ON AUGUST 10, 2020.

Additional Resources

Federal Resources

State Resources

Orange County Resources

Small Business Administration

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region

Virginia Small Business Development Center

Useful Resources

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