Commissioners finalize rules for COVID-19 business grant program – Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — Throughout a referred to as assembly on Friday night, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners authorised closing modifications to their COVID-19 small enterprise grant program.

The commissioners originally approved the grant program on Monday, establishing that $350,000 in funding might be distributed on a first-come, first-serve foundation for eligible small companies. 

Initially, they deliberate for this system to be administered by the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, however after county workers met with the chamber this week, each events agreed that one other group could also be higher outfitted to facilitate the grant. Because of this, commissioners on Friday authorised an settlement for McGill Associates to distribute the small enterprise grants. The Chamber of Commerce nonetheless had a task in collaborating with the county to assist create a few of the grant’s necessities.

McGill Associates is an engineering agency, however has experience in grant administration, stated County Supervisor Aaron Church. McGill will obtain $35,000 to manage this system.

As initially deliberate, functions for the grant might be accepted on-line at rowancountync.gov/smallbusinessgrant and in particular person on the second flooring of the Rowan County Administration Constructing beginning at midday on Monday, Nov. 23. The applying course of will shut at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Companies which have between one to five workers or are a sole proprietor might be eligible to obtain $3,500. Companies with six to 25 workers might be eligible to obtain $5,000. Companies with 26 or extra workers should not eligible.

Checks might be issued no later than Dec. 30.

Modifications to the grant program embrace:

An eligible firm should have been in enterprise on or earlier than Dec. 31, 2019.

A enterprise should nonetheless be operational and fall underneath considered one of two classes to be eligible for the grant:

• Not categorised as a COVID-19 important enterprise as outlined in Government Order 121, Part 2. This implies non-essential companies. 

• Eating places

The definition of “brick and mortar” location was outlined. The brand new language states {that a} “enterprise situated on or related to the first residence parcel are excluded.”

The documentation {that a} enterprise should present to be eligible for the grant program has additionally been adjusted. To be eligible, a enterprise should present a W9 type and a 2019 tax return. A enterprise should additionally present proof of a license from the native, state or federal authorities required to carry out their enterprise. An instance, Church stated, is a tattoo artist or barber. A enterprise should additionally present its secretary of state identification quantity.

An applicant should additionally signal a type certifying that they are going to pay again the grant cash whether it is decided that the data offered shouldn’t be true and proper.

McGill or a consultant from the county will personally go to every enterprise that submits full software supplies to make sure that the enterprise remains to be in operation and meets the necessities.

For the total record of necessities, go to rowancountync.gov/smallbusinessgrant.