SMALL BUSINESS

RELIEF
GRANTS

 

Small Business Relief Grant Application Instructions

Clayton County is proud to announce the County’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant. The goal of this grant program is to provide grants to businesses throughout Clayton County to support economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual grants of $10,000 will be provided to those businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and meet qualifications outlined below. Clayton County where the world lands and opportunities take off.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with a priority review deadline of (DATE). This program will remain open until all funds have been allocated or (DATE).

To be eligible for a grant, businesses must:

  • Have been established and recognized by Clayton County by January 1, 2021
  • Be in good standing with the Clayton County
  • Be operational in Clayton County
  • Show proof of negative impacts due to COVID-19
  • Intend to stay in business for the following 12 months
  • Have less than 200 employees

Nonprofits, gas stations, adult novelty and adult entertainment shops are excluded from applying. Nonprofits will be eligible in the future.

For more information visit claytoncountyga.gov.

Please contact us by email at CCGMS@iParametricsDS.com or by phone at 1-800… if you have any questions or need assistance. Phone hours are Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Thank you,

Clayton County

Agency Eligibility

Funding allocations will be made to businesses based upon the number of W-2 employees and/or individual 1099 contractors that function like employees (i.e., employees or contractors working at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month) at the company as of March 2020. Eligibility will be verified via the submitted 941 IRS Form, Employers Quarterly Federal Tax Return.

The following are the basic eligibility requirements for applicants to be considered for grant funding through the “Clayton Cares” Small Business Relief Grant. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

 

  • Must have current registration with the Secretary of State’s office
  • Business does not need to be a member of the Clayton County Chamber nor will there be any preferential consideration for Clayton County Chamber members
  • Must have business headquarters or primary location in Clayton County
  • Must provide a copy of 2019 business tax return (IRS Forms accepted include: 1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C or Schedule F) or company financial statements including 2019 Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss Statements
  • Must provide a copy of 2018 business tax return (IRS Forms accepted include: 1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C or Schedule F)
  • Must provide Q4 2019 & Q1 2020 941 IRS forms (except for sole proprietors with no employees)
  • Must provide Payroll Register that includes March 1, 2020 and latest payroll register as of application date (except for sole proprietors with no employees)
  • Must have 100 or fewer full-time, W-2 employees and/or individual 1099 contractors that function like employees, i.e., employees or contractors working at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month
  • Must have been in continuous operation for a minimum of 1 year prior to March 2020
  • Must have a current business license issued by Clayton County Government, City of Jonesboro, City of Forrest Park, City of Lake City, City of Lovejoy, City of Morrow, or City of Riverdale (may excluded 10099 contracts with supporting documentation)
  • Must be current on all local taxes
  • May be home-based or located in an owned or leased commercial space
  • Must certify if they have received PPP/SBA funds and the amount in which they received as of time of application submittal
  • Must certify if they have received previous funds from Clayton County
  • Must NOT be a publicly traded company
  • Must NOT be a Gambling Institution, Pyramid Investments, Real Estate Investment Firms (REITS), Adult Entertainment
  • Must NOT have an applicant(s) or owner that is presently suspended, debarred, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency, or presently involved in any bankruptcy.

Application Process

 

An application process will be used for consideration for grant funding through the “Clayton Cares” Small Business Relief Grant.  The Development Authority of Clayton County 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 committee will review all applications as expeditiously as possible. Once determinations are made, a public announcement of grants funds will be made by representatives of the selection committee.  Our goal is to notify grant recipients within two weeks of the application deadline.

Grant Compliance

 

Funds may be used to cover or reimburse allowable costs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus. Please review compliance guidelines for Coronavirus Relief Funds as mandated by Clayton County before applying for funds.

Expenses identified for reimbursement must be directly related to COVID-19 and should not fall within a budgeted line item most recently approved as of March 27, 2020.  Clayton County reserves the right to request additional support documentation to ensure grant compliance.

A detailed description of how the funds will be used must be included with each application submittal. Grant funds may be used for the following:

  • No less than 70% of the grant funds must be spent on personnel for rehiring and/or maintaining full time W-2 employees
  • 30% of the grant funds may be used on other COVID-19 business related impacts and costs, including, but not limited to:
  • Rent/leases/equipment rental
  • Utility payments
  • Inventory purchases
  • Marketing
  • PPE and other supplies/costs to ensure employee and customer safety.

Memorandum of Understanding and Grant Disbursement

 

Grant awardees will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Development Authority of Clayton County to ensure accountability of grant monies. The memorandum will include:

  • The total grant amount
  • How the funds will be disbursed
  • Requirements for how the funds are to be used
  • Agreement to the following accountability measures: 1) reporting of how the funds have been used; and 2) proof of rehiring/retaining employees
  • A claw back provision stating that companies that do not meet their commitment will be required to pay the monies back to Clayton County

Funds will be Disbursed:

 

The total grant amount, at the time the Memorandum of Agreement is signed will be disbursement to the company. Companies that do not provide the proof of rehiring/maintaining their workforce will be subject to the claw back provision of the Memorandum of Agreement.

Once the application period closes, Clayton County Development Authority staff will review all applications to ensure eligibility. All eligible applications will be reviewed by an independent selection committee to recommend grant recipients.   A scoring matrix will be used to review each application so that it is a fair and equitable process.

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