CT Cares Grant Program w/Lt. Governor

Description

More about the program:
 

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has created a $50 million grant program to help our small businesses in Connecticut recover from the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Eligible businesses and nonprofits can receive a one-time $5,000 grant and all funds will be disbursed to approved applicants by December 30, 2020.

Although minimal, there are specific eligibility requirements to receive the grant. Please see below to make sure your business or nonprofit meets the below requirements before you apply.

 Eligibility

• Business must have no more than 20 total full-time employees in 2019 across all of their Connecticut locations, or have total 2019 payroll of less than $1.5 million (annualized).
• Businesses must be able to demonstrate a 20% or more loss in revenue year to date as of September 30th, 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
• Business must have been established by October 1, 2019 and still be active (as verified by DRS).
• Home-based businesses are eligible.
• Eligible entities: for-profit businesses that use any type of incorporation, as well as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), and 501(c)(19) nonprofit organizations.
• The business must remain a viable business, be planning to reopen, and be planning to rehire any workers let go due to COVID as business conditions recover, and have a material financial need that cannot be overcome without the grant of emergency relief funds.
• Companies must be in good tax standing with DRS or current on a payment plan or consent to use a portion and/or all of their grant to remedy the delinquency.
• Sole proprietorships are eligible.
• Those who already received federal CARES Act, PPP or EIDL assistance are eligible, but the grant cannot be used for the same expenses incurred or expected to occur between March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. 

• Businesses in which the majority of revenue is earned from the following activities:
  • Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or "lost-our-lease" or "going-out-of-business" or similar sale.
  • Business establishments that are 50% or more owned by another establishment such that the FTE count for the umbrella establishment (when counting the FTEs of all subsidiaries in which the umbrella establishment has 50%+ stakes) is more than 500. For example, this would include non-franchised outlets of major national food and retail chains.

Eligible Activities & Uses

GRANTS CAN BE USED FOR:

• Payroll
• Rent/Mortgage
• Utilities
• Inventory
• Purchase of Machinery and/or Equipment
• Cost associated to ensure compliance with CT Reopen Business Sector Rules

FUNDING PRIORITIES

• $25 million to businesses/nonprofits located in the state’s distressed municipalities
• $25 million to businesses/nonprofits located outside of the state’s distressed municipalities
• Applicants will only be allowed a single grant regardless of multiple locations
• All funds will be disbursed to approved applicants by December 30, 2020