GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. -- Goochland County is offering business grants up to $10,000 for local businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Goochland Back to Business grant program is now accepting applications to help support local businesses during the ongoing pandemic.
The program will use the county’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act funding to help small businesses survive the pandemic.
The Goochland County Board of Supervisors approved and appropriated funds for the new grant program at their August 4 meeting.
Allowable reimbursements can include:
- Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements.
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and/or sanitation supplies for the business and its employees.
- Signage.
- Thermometers to check temperatures.
- Protective equipment for customers such as sneeze guards, social distance floor stickers, etc.
- Technological improvements (such as e-commerce platforms and point of sale software) and technological equipment (such as tablets for processing touch-free orders).
- Supplies related to change in operations, i.e. takeout/carryout containers for restaurants.
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are based on the number of employees and documented reimbursable expenses.
- 1 - 25: up to $5,000
- 26 - 49: up to $8,000
- 50 - 150: up to $10,000
Eligible businessesmay apply more than once if they make additional purchases. The amount of grant money available for businesses with 50-150 employees is capped at $50,000. Once $50,000 has been disbursed, no further grants will be given for businesses with 50-150 employees.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis based on a fully completed application with documented reimbursement requests.
The following documents will be required for application:
- Impact Statement of negative effect from Executive Order 53 and COVID-19 on applicant business
- Copy/Verification of 2020 business license with Goochland County’s Commissioner of the Revenue (if required)
- Completed W-9 form
- Financial documentation of expenses incurred and paid for by the applicant as a result of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor of Virginia and the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, such as receipts/invoices/bank statements for expenses and proof of payment.
The application portal opened on Thursday August 20 and will remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted.