Hernando County/Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery Grant

Hernando County & Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Phase 3
Small businesses located and operational in Hernando County since January 2021 are eligible to apply for grant funding. This program provides grants (not loans) in the amount of $3,500 per eligible businesses.

Eligibility Criteria
- All businesses must be located and operational in Hernando County as of January 1, 2021
- Business must own, rent, sub-lease space exclusively for their business operation
- Sole Proprietors and Independent Contractors are eligible if they own or lease space exclusively for their business
- Non-profit entities, with the exception of churches and ministries, are eligible if they own or lease space exclusively for their business
- Franchise businesses are eligibile if they are independently owned
- Business must demonstrate they have been adversely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Business is currently operational and expects to remain operational
Ineligible Businesses
- Businesses engaged in any illegal activity as defined by Federal guidelines
- Businesses that derive more than one-third of their gross annual revenue from legal gambling activities
- Publicly traded companies with the exception of independently owned franchise stores/businesses
- Chain or corporate owned franchise businesses
- Home-based businesses/business located in or run out of a residence
- Businesses that present live performances of a prurient sexual nature or derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature

Required Documentation

The following documentation is required to process your application. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
It is suggested that you gather this information before continuing with the application process. You can attach documents, photos or screenshots of information as needed.
- Proof of active business in Hernando County; provide at least one of the following:
  - State of Florida active business registration from the Florida Division of Corporations showing the business is registered in Hernando County effective January 2021. www.sunbiz.org ; or
  - Certification or professional license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or Department of Health; or
  - A copy of your State of Florida business filing or DBA/ fictitious name registration http://dos.sunbiz.org/ficinam.html; or
  - Verifiable information confirming your brick and mortar business location (e.g., lease/sublease/mortgage documentation)
- Copy of Driver’s License, state ID or passport
- If you are a Sole Proprietor or Independent Contractor please complete the appropriate form listed below:
  - Sole Proprietor Certification Form
  - Independent Contractor Certification Form
- A completed and signed IRS W-9 Form
  - IRS W-9 Form
- A completed and signed ACH Form for electronic funds transfer.
  - EFT Form
- Applicants will be required to digitally sign the application and attest, under penalty of perjury, that all information submitted is truthful.

Business Information (continued)
Do you rent or own your facility? *

Rent Own
If you rent, please indicate the owner's name:
If you rent, please provide the owner's phone number:

Area Code Phone Number
If you have a mortgage for your business property, please indicate the lender's name:
Was your business operational in Hernando County as of January 1, 2021 and currently operational? *

Yes No
Total Number of Full-Time Employees *
Total Number of Part-Time Employees *

Eligible Grant Uses
Explain how your business was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please provide specific details.
Examples: Required to purchase significant amount of PPE. Business is operational at 50% capacity due to social distancing. Describe or provide a list of expenses incurred specifically due to the pandemic.
This is a grant program and repayment is not required. The funds may only be used for specific approved expenses as outlined. Please indicate how the funds will be used; choose all that apply. *

Rent Mortgage Utilities Payroll Vendor Bills Miscellaneous bills as a result of COVID-19 PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
Would you like learn about business assistance services available through the Chamber and/or the USF Small Business Development Center? *

Yes No

Required Documentation

The following documentation is required to process your application. Please attach documentation as indicated below. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Proof of active business in Hernando County as of January 1, 2021. List of acceptable documentation can be found above. *

Browse Files

Cancel of
Copy of Florida Driver's License or State ID *

Browse Files

Cancel of
Independent Contractor or Sole Proprietor Certification if applicable.

Browse Files

Cancel of
IRS W-9 Form - please fill this form out carefully, following the instructions. If you use your business name on line 1 you must use an EIN in the next section. If you use your name on line 1 you must use your social security number in the next section. Incorrectly completed forms will extend the approval time. *

Browse Files

Cancel of
EFT Form - please complete the Electronic Funds Transfer Form in its entirety and sign. Double check your banking information. Incorrectly completed forms will extend the approval time. *

Browse Files

Cancel of

Grant Award Details
Phase 3 of the Hernando County Small Business Recovery Grant Program is funded for up to $2,500,000. Funds will be distributed on a first-submitted and eligible application basis.

The County is working in partnership with the Greater Hernando County of Chamber of Commerce to process the applications. Additional information may be required in order to process a grant request. Applicants will be contacted by email for this information and it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the information as requested in a timely manner. Incomplete applications will not be considered; please submit in its entirety. Incorrectly completed forms will take significantly longer to process. Please review and ensure you have provided the requested information.

Failure to provide the information as required or requested may result in forfeiture of grant funds.
Provide initials here: If requested, I agree to provide additional information to determine eligibility and process the grant application. *
Applicant Certification
The submitted Application, including attachments, is subject to disclosure under Florida’s public records law subject to limited applicable exemptions. Applicant acknowledges, understands, and agrees that, except as noted below, all information in its application and attachments will be disclosed, without any notice to Applicant, if a public records request is made for such information, and the County will not be liable to Applicant for such disclosure.

Social Security numbers are collected, maintained and reported by the County to be in compliance with any applicable IRS 1099 reporting requirements and are exempt from public records pursuant to Florida Statutes §119.071.

If Applicant believes that information in its application, including attachments, contains information that is confidential and exempt from disclosure, Applicant must include a general description of the information and provide reference to the Florida statute or other law which exempts such designated information from disclosure in the event of a public records request. The County does not warrant or guarantee that information designated by Applicant as exempt from disclosure is in fact exempt, and if the County disagrees, it will make such disclosures in accordance with its sole determination as to the applicable law.

I certify that, I am authorized to submit this application on behalf of the business, the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my ability, and no false or misleading statements have been made in order to secure approval of this application. You are authorized to make all the inquiries you deem necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein. Additionally, applicant agrees that in the event that money is provided pursuant to this application, the County or its agent shall be entitled to access and audit such records as may be necessary to prevent fraud in this process or ensure compliance with federal requirements. Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing application and that the facts stated in it are true. I understand that knowingly making a false written declaration may be charged as a felony of the third degree.
Signature *

Clear
Printed Name: *
Date *

Month Day Year
Date
Should be Empty:

Hernando County & Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Required Documentation

APPLICATION

Business Information

Business Information (continued)

Eligible Grant Uses

Required Documentation

Grant Award Details

Applicant Certification