The Carroll County Board of Commissioners last week voted to expand the guidelines of the Carroll Rebound grant program for small businesses and nonprofits. The grant will now be available to all small businesses — regardless of zoning — and include home-based businesses.
The Board of Commissioners also extended the deadline to apply for the program from August 31st to September 30, 2020.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners in June announced the program to provide grants to local businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board unanimously approved the following changes:
- In consideration of the extraordinary challenges facing the industry, restaurants will be given an additional grant to match their initial grant award. New restaurant applicants will be considered for a double grant with eligible expenses to support their request.
- Grants of $2,000 will be available to home-based and small businesses not located in a commercial or industrial zone. These businesses must provide proper licensure/certification if applicable (i.e. licensed daycare, licensed contractors, etc.) *Any home-based business or other business that previously applied and were denied as a result of their zoning do NOT need to reapply. These applications will be reviewed under the new criteria.
- Assist farmers/producers with a new $5,000 grant program designed to assist with agricultural-related COVID-19 impacts as this industry is uniquely different than a conventional business.
- 501c(3) nonprofits without employees are now eligible to apply for nonprofit grants.
The Carroll Rebound application portal now closes on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at 5:00 pm. Grant applications will be reviewed by an internal team with awards based on need and the pandemic’s impact on the business or nonprofit operations.
According to a County press release:
Eligibility for businesses and nonprofits is different as described below; both must apply online at https://carrollbiz.org/carrollrebound/ and meet the following conditions to be considered for the grant:
Eligible sole proprietors and businesses must:
- Have been established prior to September 1, 2019
- Be a for-profit entity registered and in good standing with the State of Maryland and Carroll County (if required to do so by law)
- Employ between 0-50 employees
- Have a physical location in a Carroll County
- Be current on all taxes owed to Carroll County and/or the State of Maryland
Ineligible businesses:
- Private/trade schools
- Faith-based organizations
- Real estate holding companies
- Independent contractors (including realtors, hair stylists, multi-level marketing, etc.)
- National/regional chains and publicly traded companies/franchises
Eligible nonprofits must:
- Be 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Have been established prior to September 1, 2019
Ineligible nonprofits:
- Churches (See IRS 1828)
- Fraternal and/or Civic Organizations
- Homeowners Associations
- Labor Unions
- Private or Political Foundations
- Volunteer Fire Companies (will be addressed through the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association)
Businesses and nonprofits may use grants for the following: information technology upgrades and e-commerce programs, marketing, employee training, commercial cleaning, professional services, equipment or vehicle expenses and other COVID-19 business and health-related expenses e.g. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), supplies, plexiglass shields, masks, etc. Ineligible fund uses include wages, lease or mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, and expenses not related to COVID-19 pandemic impacts. Agricultural businesses may use funds to offset losses as a result of reduced revenue.
Businesses that applied and were awarded a grant from the Carroll County Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund or any other local, state, federal grant programs ARE ELIGIBLE to apply, although a listing of previous grant awards will be required as part of the application. Applicants will be required to provide financial and employment verification documents (if applicable) and, if awarded, sign a grant agreement, and provide an IRS W-9.
If you have Carroll Rebound program questions, please email info@carrollbiz.org.
Visit the Carroll County website for more information.
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