NELSON CARES 2020
- APPLICATION CLOSED -
At this time, all committed funding for the Nelson CARES Program has been expended.
DISCLAIMER: Should the Nelson County Board of Supervisors provide direction to implement a second round of Nelson CARES grants, please leave your contact info below
NELSON CARES 2020: New Business types and home-based businesses are now eligible.
Click here to complete an application.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on Nelson County small businesses and their employees, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors are providing emergency financial support through the NELSON CARES 2020 Small Business Assistance Grant Program. NELSON CARES 2020 is targeted at qualified small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to Stay at Home Orders and supply chain shortages. The program will provide one-time grants of up to $30,000 to help offset temporary loss of revenue, increased costs due to mitigation measures, and other business critical operating expenses incurred due the effects of COIVD-19. The County has identified $350,000 in emergency relief funds to support the small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, specifically local businesses with a commercial location in the County. The source of funding for this grant program is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal stimulus package.
The objective of this program is to offer immediate financial assistance to small businesses in Nelson County to aid in maintaining their business and workforce. Funding is limited and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The County of Nelson reserves the right to determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission will administer the grant program in coordination with the County of Nelson. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Please carefully read and review program eligibility criteria. Those with additional questions may contact the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission Small Business Grant Information line at (434) 979-7310 or emailing info@tjpdc.org.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- Up to $30,000 for qualifying businesses located in Nelson County with 1 to 100 full-time employees or equivalent part-time employees including the owner.
- Funds may be used to reimburse the cost of business interruption caused by required closures or business limitations between the dates of March 1, 2020 and November 15, 2020. Eligible uses include:
- Payroll
- Rent/Mortgage Payments
- Insurance
- PPE and COVID-19 facility readiness equipment
- Inventory
- Adaptive costs for e-commerce, online sales/marketing, and
- Other business critical operating expenses.
INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
- Banks and financial institutions
- Franchise businesses, except those that are locally owned and operated
- Non-profits
INELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS
- Any tax, license or fee obligations payable to any government entity
- Personal, non-business expenses of the business or its owner(s)
- Depreciation or amortization
- Vehicles and major capital equipment
- Expenses that will be reimbursed by forgivable loans or grants such as the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), or other sources are not eligible
- Providing funds, directly or indirectly, for a dividend distribution, return of capital, or otherwise to owners, partners or shareholders of the business enterprise
- To finance a business, project, activity, and/or location primarily located outside the geographic boundaries of Nelson County
- Damages covered by insurance
- Reimbursement to donors for donated items or services
- Workforce bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime
- Severance pay
- Legal settlements
This is not an exhaustive list of ineligible expenses.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO BE CONSIDERED
- Completed and signed W-9
- Valid state issued photo ID (can be taken with phone camera)
- Copy of active state business registration from Commonwealth of Virginia
- Copy of active Nelson County business registration
- W3 Summary or IRS Form 941 prior to Feb. 15, 2020
- Information to estimate your company’s average monthly business expenses before Feb. 15, 2020
- Detailed Accounting of Grant Request
TO APPLY
- Complete the Nelson Cares 2020 Small Business Assistance Grant Application at this link
- If eligible, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) will provide you a formal application
- If ineligible to apply, the TJPDC will notify you with reasons of ineligibility
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A business is eligible for up to $30,000 grant if it meets ALL of the following criteria:
- Business is physically located within the boundaries of Nelson County, Va.
- Business has been operating before March 12, 2019.
- Business can demonstrate ongoing business operations as of March 12, 2020.
- Business is expected to return to full operations after local and state emergency guidelines during COVID-19 are rescinded.
- Business suffered from business interruption caused by required closures resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency; or
- Business suffered economic damages from business interruption caused by COVID-19 since March 12, 2020.
- Business employed 100 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including owner, as of March 12, 2020.
- Business has total annual gross sales of $5 million or less.
- Business does not have any current unpaid code enforcement liens.
- Business is not operating in violation of any State, Federal or local laws.
- Business is in good standing with Nelson County Government including current county taxes and valid state business license and federal employer identification tax number
GRANT MAXIMUM AWARDS
- 1 TO 10 FTE’S = Up to $5,000
- 11 TO 25 FTE’S = UP TO $10,000
- 26 TO 50 FTE’S = UP TO $20,000
- 51 TO 100 FTE’S = UP TO $30,000
NEWLY ELIGIBLE BUSINESS
- Home-based:
- Child Care businesses
- Photographers
- Tax preparation providers
- Hair dressers/salons
- Freelance workers
- Design or Marketing Professionals
- IT Professionals
- Many more
ELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS
Include, but are not limited to:
- Payroll
- Rent/Mortgage
- Insurance
- Equipment to include PPE and COVID-19 facility readiness
- Inventory
- Adaptive costs for e-commerce, online sales/marketing, and
- Other business critical operating expenses
*During the period of March 1, 2020 – November 15, 2020*