Clinton County Announces Details on $5,000 Grant Program

RecordStaffMay 29, 2020

3 minutes read

LOCK HAVEN – Clinton County has released further details for county businesses seeking $5,000 small business relief grants. County grant writer Kari Kepler provided those details at a Thursday virtual public hearing.

The county has received some $159,000 in special CBDG funding through the federal government’s CARES program, money allocated in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The county commissioners have said they desire to allocate the money to county businesses impacted by the pandemic, with some 33 or so grants to be provided.

Businesses in 28 county municipalities may apply for the grants. The City of Lock Haven is not included in the program as it has received its own CARES funding, separate from the county.

Kepler noted successful applicants likely won’t receive their funding until late August. There were no comments from the public at the Thursday hearing. County board chairman Miles Kessinger said comments may be submitted to the county planning office to the attention of Kepler.

The Business Relief Grant Program Guidelines:

Clinton County has structured this program to create a funding mechanism that will serve businesses that can meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible businesses may be awarded up to $5,000 in grant funds through the application verification process.

ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

• For-profit businesses registered and located within the Clinton County Entitlement Jurisdictional boundaries. This means the 28 municipalities outside the City of Lock Haven. (Businesses located within Lock Haven City Limits are not eligible.) The location of the business will be considered the place of business administration and registration address.

• For-profit businesses with up to 100 employees at the time of application submission

• For-profit businesses with less than $1 million in annual gross revenues

• Applicant is 51%+ majority owner of business

• Owner/applicant is qualified LMI household (for businesses with no more than 5 employees); OR

• Business commits to retaining full time equivalent (FTE) jobs held by LMI households.

• Owner is 18 years or older

• Owner has a valid Social Security or Employer Identification Number

• Owner/applicant is not currently in bankruptcy

• Owner/Applicant is current with property taxes and municipal fees; OR

• Owner has a payment plan in place with their municipality as of May 30, 2020

• Business has or will have active liability insurance within 30 days of application

• Business does not have any conflict of interest with Clinton County Government or its CDBG program staff.

• Business is not listed on the Federal Debarred list

• Business must provide a valid DUNS number and CAGE code

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

• Have their physical location outside of Clinton County

• Are organized as nonprofit entities

• Engage in political activity as a business

• Real estate developers

• The CDBG program also excludes assistance to payday grant businesses, liquor and tobacco stores, pawn shops, firearms or other weapons dealers, adult entertainment venues, passive real estate investment firms, or home-based businesses operating without appropriate zoning permission and/or permits

GRANT TERMS

• Maximum request: $5,000

• Reimbursement ONLY: Funds will be disbursed by reimbursement to the applicant for documented eligible project expenses, or may be paid directly to third party vendors or debt holders.

• Grantee will enter a subrecipient contract with Clinton County for the funding.

• Project report provided to the County along with request for final payment.

ELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS

CDBG funding is restricted by federal law to certain eligible costs. Clinton County will review and assess the individual funding needs submitted with the application. The following are eligible under CDBG-CV

• Payroll

• Rent/Mortgage

• Utilities

• Supplies or inventory (needed for daily operations, up to 90 days)

• Equipment needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus

• Insurance

• Accounting services

• Legal Services

• Advertising

INELIGIBLE USE OF FUNDS

Funds under this program may not be used to:

• Pay off non-business debt, such as personal credit cards for purchases not associated with the business