The Small Business Relief Grant has been established to assist businesses with 499 employees or fewer with
operational and overhead expenses. This Program is funded through a portion of Forsyth County's
disbursement of funding through the CARES Act.
These funds are intended to be used by communities to give relief to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the City of Cumming have allocated $2 million to be disbursed by the Forsyth County Chamber to local Small Businesses impacted by the pandemic
operational and overhead expenses. This Program is funded through a portion of Forsyth County's
disbursement of funding through the CARES Act.
These funds are intended to be used by communities to give relief to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the City of Cumming have allocated $2 million to be disbursed by the Forsyth County Chamber to local Small Businesses impacted by the pandemic
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APPLICATIONS & How to Apply?Portal closed on August 19th, 2020 @5pm We will no longer be accepting any new applications.
Each business owner will be required to complete an application based on the objective requirements approved by the City of Cumming and Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Completed applications will be time stamped when submitted. Each application will be certified by an independent volunteer oversight committee to certify that an applicant has met the criteria established by the City of Cumming and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners before the grant money is released. |
GRANT TIERS
Grant funding will be available in four different tiers based upon the number of the total number of employees reported on the business’ W3 Summary or IRS Form 941 prior to Feb. 15, 2020. The tiers of grant funding include up to $2,000 for a sole proprietorship; up to $5,000 for two to five employees; up to $7,500 for six to 25 employees; and up to $10,000 for 26 to 499 employees. Eligibility will be verified via the submitted W-9 and/ or W-3 tax summary. The tiers are as follows: • 1 employee – up to $2,000 • 2 to 5 employees – up to $5,000 • 6 to 25 employees – up to $7,500 • 26 to 499 employees – up to $10,000 |
ELIGIBILITY USES
Grant funds can be used to reimburse the cost of business interruption due to COVID-19 as a result of required closures, voluntary closures to promote social distancing, or decreased customer demand.
• Working capital
• Machinery and equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Health care benefits
• Contract labor
• Supplier payments
• Rent, lease, or mortgage payment for real property used for business purposes
• Rent, lease or purchase payment for business property
• Utility payments for business properties
• Cost of critical business operations
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation supplies and equipment
• Working capital
• Machinery and equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Health care benefits
• Contract labor
• Supplier payments
• Rent, lease, or mortgage payment for real property used for business purposes
• Rent, lease or purchase payment for business property
• Utility payments for business properties
• Cost of critical business operations
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation supplies and equipment
ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES
Small businesses in the City of Cumming and Forsyth County that have suffered significant, temporary loss of revenue or job losses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly businesses that have been directly affected by state business closure orders, are eligible.
1. Businesses with their principle location inside Forsyth County.
2. In business and operating a minimum of 1 year prior to March 1, 2020.
3. Can demonstrate a reduction in sales/revenue due to COVID-19.
4. Includes sole proprietors and independent contractors.
1. Businesses with their principle location inside Forsyth County.
2. In business and operating a minimum of 1 year prior to March 1, 2020.
3. Can demonstrate a reduction in sales/revenue due to COVID-19.
4. Includes sole proprietors and independent contractors.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The following are the basic eligibility requirements for applicants to be considered for grant funding through the Forsyth Cares Small Business Relief Grant. Forsyth Chamber staff will review each application to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met. All eligible applications will be reviewed by an independent selection committee. It is vital for all applicants to submit the required accompanying documentation to ensure a complete application submittal.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Must have current City of Cumming or Forsyth County business license as of March 1, 2019.
2. Can demonstrate business interruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Must certify on the application that use the grant funds will only be used for authorized business expenses.
4. Plan to resume normal operations after emergency guidelines are lifted.
5. Shall cooperate with appropriate officials for grant auditing purposes.
6. Business can demonstrate ongoing business operations a minimum of 1 year prior to March 1, 2020.
7. No owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business has a felony conviction for financial mismanagement within the last three years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation).
8. Business is NOT publicly traded, partially owned by a hedge fund, or a corporate-owned franchise.
9. Business does not have any current city, county, state or federal tax liens.
10. Business does not have any current unpaid code enforcement liens and is not operating in violation of any state, federal or local laws.
11. Commit to recommended COVID-19 Safety Guidelines.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Must have current City of Cumming or Forsyth County business license as of March 1, 2019.
2. Can demonstrate business interruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Must certify on the application that use the grant funds will only be used for authorized business expenses.
4. Plan to resume normal operations after emergency guidelines are lifted.
5. Shall cooperate with appropriate officials for grant auditing purposes.
6. Business can demonstrate ongoing business operations a minimum of 1 year prior to March 1, 2020.
7. No owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business has a felony conviction for financial mismanagement within the last three years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation).
8. Business is NOT publicly traded, partially owned by a hedge fund, or a corporate-owned franchise.
9. Business does not have any current city, county, state or federal tax liens.
10. Business does not have any current unpaid code enforcement liens and is not operating in violation of any state, federal or local laws.
11. Commit to recommended COVID-19 Safety Guidelines.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
1. Completed W-9 form for business, DBA, Tax ID Number (or Social Security Number for sole proprietor), and Mailing Address for Grant Check must match entries in General Information section.
2. Valid state issued photo ID.
3. Receipts and/or invoices for expenses meeting eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses.
4. 2019 Profit and Loss Statement.
5. April 2020 Profit and Loss Statement.
6. Signed and executed Forsyth County CARES Small Business Grant program application.
7. Copy of their Forsyth County or City of Cumming business license.
8. For businesses with 2 to 499 employees, W3 Summary or IRS Form 941 prior to Feb. 15, 2020.
9. Itemized Summary of eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses.
2. Valid state issued photo ID.
3. Receipts and/or invoices for expenses meeting eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses.
4. 2019 Profit and Loss Statement.
5. April 2020 Profit and Loss Statement.
6. Signed and executed Forsyth County CARES Small Business Grant program application.
7. Copy of their Forsyth County or City of Cumming business license.
8. For businesses with 2 to 499 employees, W3 Summary or IRS Form 941 prior to Feb. 15, 2020.
9. Itemized Summary of eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses.
DISQUALIFIED BUSINESSES
1. Companies that are publicly traded, partially owned by a hedge fund, or corporate-owned franchises are not eligible.
2. Individuals or organizations who hold real property for passive sale or investment with no active ties to a for- profit business activities at the location.
3. Businesses owned or operated by officials or employees of Forsyth County government, City of Cumming government, or the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce are not eligible grant recipients.
4. Unpaid code enforcement liens or violation of any state, federal or local laws.
5. Companies with legal actions against or from the City of Cumming or Forsyth County Government, including code enforcement liens are not eligible.
6. Owner, officer, partner or principal actor of the business involved with financial mismanagement. This includes: "Business Owner(s) with any conviction(s) for financial crimes within the last 3 years, with Business Owner(s) defined as: Managing Members and/or Officers."
2. Individuals or organizations who hold real property for passive sale or investment with no active ties to a for- profit business activities at the location.
3. Businesses owned or operated by officials or employees of Forsyth County government, City of Cumming government, or the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce are not eligible grant recipients.
4. Unpaid code enforcement liens or violation of any state, federal or local laws.
5. Companies with legal actions against or from the City of Cumming or Forsyth County Government, including code enforcement liens are not eligible.
6. Owner, officer, partner or principal actor of the business involved with financial mismanagement. This includes: "Business Owner(s) with any conviction(s) for financial crimes within the last 3 years, with Business Owner(s) defined as: Managing Members and/or Officers."
GRANT DISPURSEMENTThe funds will be disbursed on a First come, First serve basis.
Each business owner will be required to complete an application based on the objective requirements approved by the City of Cumming and Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Completed applications will be time stamped when submitted. Each application will then be certified by an independent volunteer oversight committee. This independent volunteer oversight committee will consist of two representatives appointed by the City of Cumming and five representatives appointed by Forsyth County Government. The purpose of the committee is to provide a final review of grant applications to certify that an applicant has met the established criteria established before the grant money is released. No member of the committee will be eligible to apply for or receive a business support grant. To provide additional expertise, it is suggested that the committee seats be filled by a representative from the following business professions/disciplines: · Legal · Certified Public Accountant · Banking · Small Business · County Government |
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
The application portal has closed. For inquiries regarding your application please email [email protected]
The Forsyth County Chamber’s mission is and always has been to advance positive business growth and community partnerships to promote a superior quality of life in Forsyth County. This mission is the same no matter the circumstance and it is our pleasure to work toward this mission no matter the season. Please know that the Chamber is here for you and for every business and for every resident of Forsyth County.
We are all in this together.
We are all in this together.