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, Orange County Economic Development Director 

December 10, 2020 - Executive Order 72

Governor Ralph Northam has announced new, targeted measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 as new cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in all areas of the Commonwealth. Executive Order Seventy-Two directs Virginians to stay at home between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., implements a universal mask requirement, and lowers the limit on social gatherings from 25 people to 10 people. The order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, December 14 and remain in place through January 31, 2021, unless rescinded or amended.

The full text of Executive Order Seventy-Two, which incorporates earlier Executive Orders Sixty-Three Sixty-Seven is available here.  

Round 3 - Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant

Round 3 of the Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant program will offer grants to qualified businesses and organizations that will not have to be repaid. The program is funded by Orange County and will be administered by Community Investment Collaborative (CIC). The grant application process will open on January 4, 2021, and close on January 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.  Grant awards will be awarded on or about February 1, 2021.  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 $194,000 fund 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 based within Orange County.

  • Does not require a “storefront” location and can be home-based business.

• Current on local taxes.

  • 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.

• If business received funding from Round 1 or 2 of the Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant program, use of Round 3 must be for other business disruption expenses. 

Amount awarded:

• Grants of up to $10,000 for businesses with fewer than 100 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:

  • Payment of federal. state or local taxes
  • 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.

• Business has not received funding from Round 1 or Round 2 of the Bounce Back Orange Small Business Grant program.

*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/nsx45EYWCdrKpE3MA.   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 January 4, 2021. 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 (October 2020 to December 2020 and October 2019 to December 2019).

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

  • If past expense between March 1 and present, record of those expenses – example: receipt, canceled check, paid invoice.
  • If expense has not occurred, provide an estimate/budget to be completed by March 31, 2021.

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 March 31, 2021 to review your completion.

NON-PROFITS

Eligibility:

• 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 business disruption expenses.

Amount awarded:

• Grants of up to $10,000.

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:

  • 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/nsx45EYWCdrKpE3MA . 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 January 4, 2021. 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 (October 2020 to December 2020 and October 2019 to December 2019).

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

  • If past expense between March 1 and present, record of those expenses – example: receipt, canceled check, paid invoice.
  • If expense has not occurred, provide an estimate/budget to be completed by March 31, 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 March 31, 2021 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, Director 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 - All available funds have been exhausted at this time. We are hopeful that Congress will soon pass a stimulus package that provides additional relief to small businesses.  Please sign up here to be notified of any additional developments.

EnergyShare Program -  Dominion Energy is partnering with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation to temporarily expand its EnergyShare program to assist those small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominion Energy Virginia is pledging $500,000 to help provide energy bill relief for small businesses, nonprofits, and houses of worship in its Virginia service territory. The program funding will be covered by shareholders and will not impact customer rates. Qualified businesses may be eligible for one-time assistance with their Dominion Energy electric bill up to $1,000.

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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