Small Business & Non-Profit Recovery Grant Program
The Town of West Hartford “Small Business and Non-Profit Recovery Grant Program” is established to provide limited, one-time direct financial assistance to eligible Town of West Hartford Small Businesses and Non-Profits organizations that:
- Employ 50 full-time employees (FTE) or less, and;
- Have been adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic.
This Program is possible with entitlement funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, also known as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).
Eligibility
Small Business:
A small business is defined as a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Partnership or Corporation (C or S Corp) registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State or a Trade Name Certificate (DBA) with Town of West Hartford.
- Must be physically based in West Hartford, CT
- Not more than 50 FTE employees (min. 35 hours week w/benefits)
- Must currently be in business and have been in operations as of January 1, 2020
- All Town licenses and permits must be current
- Must be current on taxes for the 2021 Grand List
- Must be in “Good Standing” with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services along with being current on its federal, state and local tax obligations and have no outstanding liens or judgements. Letters of Good Standing (Status Letters) may be requested requested via https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/TSC/Help-Text/Status-Letter or via paper request (Form TPG-170). [According to State of Connecticut website this may take up to 2 weeks] If COVID-19 affected the ability to pay local taxes then that should be indicated in the application.
A Non-Profit Organization:
Address organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit
- Files a 501(c)3 or 503(c)19
- Fall in one of two sectors:
- (1) Community arts, cultural, and humanities organizations; or
- (2) Community based human services organizations
- Must be physically based in West Hartford, CT
- Not more than 50 FTE employees (min. 35 hours week w/benefits)
- Must currently be in business and have been in operations as of January 1, 2020
- All Town licenses and permits must be current
- Must be current on taxes for the 2021 Grand List
- Must be in “Good Standing” with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services along with being current on its federal, state and local tax obligations and have no outstanding liens or judgements. Letters of Good Standing (Status Letters) may be requested via https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/TSC/Help-Text/Status-Letter or via paper request (Form TPG-170). [According to the State of Connecticut website this may take up to 2 weeks] If COVID-19 affected the ability to pay local taxes then that should be indicated in the application.
Eligible Projects
The “Small Business and Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program” is to assist Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations in responding to the public health emergency and/or its negative economic impacts.
Applications can be submitted for grants up to $10,000. This grant program operates on a reimbursement basis for two types of eligible projects:
A. COVID-19 Relief Assistance Grant
Business/organizations that can demonstrate negative impacts from the COVID-19 public health emergency should apply. Specific examples, but not limited to, listed below:
- Mitigate financial hardship (decreased revenue, increased costs, payroll and benefits, mortgage, rent, utility and other operating costs)
- Prevention or mitigation tactics (physical plant changes to enable social distancing, barriers and/or partitions, enhanced cleaning efforts)
- Technical assistance, counseling or other services to assist with business planning needs
- Support recovery programs
- Costs associated with outdoor dining areas
- Costs associated with compliance of public health measures related to COVID-19
- Innovative business or business community marketing program
- Workforce training or recruitment program
B. New or Enhanced Program Assistance Grant
A new or enhanced program must meet the criteria of directly responding to the negative impact of COVID-19. Businesses/organizations interested in implementing a new program or enhancing an existing program that would benefit the community should apply. Specific examples, but not limited to, are listed below:
- Supporting recovery programs
- Mental health services
- Crisis intervention
- Substance use treatment
- Housing
Marketing Campaigns:
- Inform the public how to get help from area nonprofits
For an enhanced listing of eligibility, please see Appendix ‘A’ in the grant guidelines document or review the U.S. Treasury final rule: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-01-27/pdf/2022-00292.pdf.
Timeline
The current application period opened on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 and will remain open until all of the $2 million are awarded.
Forms
Contact Us
For more information or questions on the program, please contact: ARPAGrants@westhartfordct.gov.