Henry County Small Business Restart Program
Program Description
Henry County Government will be accepting, reviewing and considering submitted applications from small businesses located in the county. This includes unincorporated Henry County and the Cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge.
The Henry County Small Business Restart Grant Program will offer one-time grants to small local businesses, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to assist with their short-term financial needs. At this time, non-profit organizations are not eligible for these funds. However, separate funding has been allocated to assist non-profits.
Funds may be used to reimburse eligible, unbudgeted business expenses that are determined reasonable, not excessive, and necessary for the stabilization of the business.
Eligible Uses
Eligible expenditures are dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency and include, but are not limited to the reimbursement of employee wages and benefits (including, fringe benefits associated with employment, such as health insurance), accounts payable, fixed costs, inventory, rent, and utilities. Working capital, marketing/planning/feasibility studies, technical training, machinery, and equipment are also eligible expenses.
Ineligible Uses
Ineligible uses include relocating a business, renovations, paying off existing debt, reimbursement for cost incurred before March 1, 2020, start-up funds for a new business, and estimated revenue loss.
We will be accepting applications until all funding has been expended. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Business owners applying for multiple businesses must submit a separate application for each business.
Funding reimbursement for small businesses available up to $10,000 per applicant.
Grant funds must be used for expenditures incurred by the eligible business on or after March 1, 2020 that meet the following criteria:
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Necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 (such as resulting from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19).
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Used for its working capital to support reimbursement of payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or costs related to reopening the eligible small business.
Only applicants who can demonstrate that private funding is either not feasible or not available (i.e. denial) will be eligible. Similarly, only applicants who can demonstrate that assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program did not exceed $150,000 will be eligible. Conditional to new information and guidance that is released, other funding sources may also be included as disqualifying factors at a later point.
Application Instruction
Please complete all questions listed below.
If you have any questions, please contact Henry County Government at (770) 288-6541 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may leave a voicemail outside of those times.
Eligibility
Small Businesses
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Your primary office is physically located in Henry County, Georgia.
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You employ twenty (20) persons or less.
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Must be registered with the Secretary of State and provide proof.
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Must be registered with the Henry County Business/Occupational Tax License Office or that of any of the municipalities within Henry County (Cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough, or Stockbridge).
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Must be private and for profit
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Must be in an industry that has been affected by the COVID-19 emergency;
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Must demonstrate with data and financial documentation that the income loss or cash flow decrease occurred because of the COVID-19 emergency; and
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Must demonstrate the need for working capital for eligible expenses.
Examples of Small Business (but not limited to)
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Restaurant/Bar & Grill
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Retailers
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Performance venues
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Fitness Studio/Gym
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Travel agency
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Boutique Hotel/B&B
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Salon/Barber Shop/Tanning Salons/Tattoo Parlors
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Daycare
Independent Contractors/Self-Employed
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You are a Henry County resident operating a business in Henry County as a sole proprietor.
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Must be registered with the Secretary of State.
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Must be registered with the Henry County Business/Occupational Tax License Office or that of any of the municipalities within Henry County (Cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough, or Stockbridge).
Examples of Independent Contractors/Self-Employed
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Contractor
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Landscaper
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Freelancer
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Web designer
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Pet Groomer
Conflict of Interest
The award of funding and selection of applications shall be administered in compliance with conflict of interest provisions similar to those established at Section 4019 of the CARES Act to include the following:
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No member of the Henry County Board of Commissioners or appointed official of the Henry County Restart and Non-Profit Assistance Review Committee who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to the Small Business Restart Program or who is in a position to participate in a decision making process or gain inside information with regard to such funding, may obtain a personal or financial interest or benefit in any agreement or subcontract with respect thereto, or the proceeds thereunder, either for themselves or for those with whom they have family or business ties, during their tenure or for one (1) year thereafter.
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The awarded small businesses or non-profits shall maintain a written code or standards of conduct that shall govern the performance of its officers, employees or agents engaged in the award and administration of contracts supported by Henry County funds.
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No employee, officer or agent of an awarded small business or non-profit shall participate in the selection, or in the award, or administration of, a contract supported by Henry County funds if a conflict of interest, real or apparent, would be involved.
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Hatch Act
All awarded small businesses and non-profits shall agree that no funds provided, nor personnel employed by an establishment assisted with Henry County funding, shall be in any way or to any extent engaged in the conduct of political activities in violation of Chapter 15 of Title V of the U.S.C.
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Religious Activities
Per ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court faith-based organizations may not use direct government funding to support "inherently religious" activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization.
Step One: Determine Your Eligibility
Before you start your application, please prepare the following documents. This grant is not intended to support new business start-up activities. You must show how COVID-19 caused your business to incur a loss, by providing documentation of a year-over-year decrease in sales and/or a year-over-year decrease in income and/or a year-over-year increase in expenses. If you do not provide the necessary documentation, it will delay the processing of your application and may cause your application to be denied.
For Small Businesses, Independent Contractors, or Self-Employed
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Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (Look for this in the previously filed tax return. Name and address in this application should match your EIN registration).
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Documentation of the business owner or owners’ state residency (such as a driver’s license or other State of Georgia issued ID).
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Financial Documents
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2018 federal tax return (Only applicable if you were in business in 2018 and cannot produce a 2019 federal tax return due to IRS extension.)
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2019 income statement
showing monthly revenue and expenses
Feel free to use your own format, such as downloading from your existing accounting software or use this template
https://www.practicalspreadsheets.com/Monthly-Income-Statement-Template.html
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2019 federal tax return or IRS receipt for an extension (Personal tax returns will be accepted for independent contractors and self-employed individuals)
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2020 year-to-date (January 1, 2020 – August 31, 2020) income statement
showing monthly revenue and expenses
to compare to the same period in 2019. Feel free to use your own format, such as downloading from your existing accounting software or use this template
https://www.practicalspreadsheets.com/Monthly-Income-Statement-Template.html
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Supporting documentation for lost revenue since March 2020 through current (such as
documented proof
of canceled contracts and/or revenue-generating events, etc.)
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Form W-9.
Click Here for blank form from IRS
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If you received funding from the Payment Protection Program (PPP), please provide a certified statement with signature to attest that the payment(s) did not exceed $150,000.