• Home-Based Business Transition Grant Application

  • Business Information

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • Covered Uses of Funds:

    • Purchase of supplies, equipment or furnishings
    • Down payments toward the lease or purchase of a commercial location
    • Renovations or minor repairs to a new commercial location
    • Advertising/marketing related to a new commercial location

  • Summary of Costs

  • Expected Commercial Location Move-in Date:*
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year

  • Please Attach

  • 1. Copy of current business license (if applicable)

    2. Completed and signed IRS Form W-9

    3. Copy of all quotes obtained for this project

    4. Informal narrative (maximum 2-3 paragraphs) of where your business is now and where you hope it will be in the next 12-36 months as a result of this grant assistance. How will this grant help your business grow?

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  • Application Review Criteria

  • I understand that applications will be reviewed and scored by a Grant Review Committee based on established evaluation criteria (see list below). Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Grant awards are competitive and will be made by the Industrial Development Authority upon the recommendation of the Grant Review Committee, subject to the availability of funds. Only the highest-scoring eligible applications will be considered for funding.

    Evaluation criteria includes items such as:

    • Proposed use of the grant funds
    • Length of time business has been operating
    • Length of time business has been located in Mecklenburg County
    • Current number of employees
    • Projected number of employees within two years
    • Potential to create foot traffic
    • Value added to downtown space

  • Statement of Understanding and Applicant Certification

  • I certify that   *   is an active home-based business physically located in Mecklenburg County and has operated for at least one year before the date of this application. I further certify that the business holds a current business license, if required.

    I understand and agree to the following:

    1. Competitive award: Submission of this application does not guarantee funding. Applications will be reviewed and competitively scored, and awards are subject to the availability of funds and final approval by the Mecklenburg County Industrial Development Authority.
    2. Use of grant funds: Any grant funds awarded will be used only for the project and eligible expenses approved through this application.
    3. Grant agreement: If my application is approved, I will be required to review, sign, and comply with a grant or Performance Agreement before beginning the project. The agreement will establish the approved project scope, eligible expenses, required match, completion timeline, documentation requirements, and other conditions of the award.
    4. Commercial relocation: I must purchase, lease, or sublease a commercially zoned property in Mecklenburg County within two months of signing the agreement. The business must successfully relocate from its home-based location to a suitable commercial location in Mecklenburg County as a condition of receiving reimbursement.
    5. Project start and completion: Only work performed and expenses incurred after the application is approved and the agreement is signed will be eligible for reimbursement. The approved project, including the business’s relocation to the commercial location, must be completed within one year of the grant award.
    6. Matching funds and reimbursement: This is a 1:1 reimbursable matching grant. I understand that I am responsible for paying the full project cost upfront. The County may reimburse up to 50% of approved eligible expenses, not to exceed the maximum grant award of $15,000.
    7. Required documentation: Before reimbursement will be issued, I must submit paid invoices, receipts, proof of payment, and any other required documentation. I must also provide copies of the commercial lease, sublease, or property purchase documentation and all applicable permits and approvals.
    8. Compliance with the agreement: Grant funds will be issued only after the project has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the approved application and signed agreement. Failure to complete the relocation, meet required deadlines, follow the approved project scope, or provide the required documentation may result in some or all expenses being deemed ineligible for reimbursement.
    9. Continued operation: The business license, if required, must remain paid and active for three years after grant funds are received. If the business closes or relocates outside Mecklenburg County during that three-year period, I understand that I will be required to repay 50% of the total grant funds received.
    10. Good standing and program participation: I understand that the business must remain in compliance with applicable County programs, ordinances, taxes, licenses, and permit requirements. I also agree to subscribe to the County’s business-resource email list.

    By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the requirements stated above.

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