PORTAL CLOSED ON
AUGUST 19th at 5pm.
No New Applications will be accepted.
Application Process
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.
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Businesses DO NOT need to be a member of the Forsyth County Chamber nor will there be any
preferential consideration for Forsyth County Chamber members.
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Portal will close on Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 @ 5:00pm.
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Businesses DO NOT need to be a member of the Forsyth County Chamber nor will there be any
preferential consideration for Forsyth County Chamber members.
•
Portal will close on Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 @ 5:00pm.
ELIGIBILE 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.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Businesses with their principle location inside Forsyth County (which includes the City of Cumming).
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.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
1. Businesses with their principle location inside Forsyth County (which includes the City of Cumming).
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.
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
1. Must have current City of Cumming or Forsyth County business license as of March 1, 2020.
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.
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.
For more information on required documentation, including samples and examples click on the button below.
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."
Application ResourcesThe application portal closed on Wednesday, August 19th at 5pm. Applications will no longer be accepted.
View the webinar series brought to you by the team at the Forsyth County Chamber. These webinars will walk business owners through the entire application process. Visit HERE to see all dates and times available. Download the SAMPLE APPLICATION so you can navigate through the process and questions prior to filling out the official application. We have a step by step visual guide available to assist business owners in navigating the application. Download guide here. |
Click on photo image above to view Application Walkthrough Webinar.
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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.