CRA Disaster Assistance Grant Program for Small Businesses

On June 29, 2020 the City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board approved $250,000 in grant funds to assist small businesses located in the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area (GFS District) affected by COVID-19. The program criteria and application are provided below. Applications must be submitted electronically; no paper applications will be accepted. Grants of $2,000 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the $250,000 has been committed.

Please ensure you have uploaded all required supporting documentation to your application submission. If you need assistance or have any questions please contact the City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at 850-891-8357 or by e-mail at CRADisasterGrant@talgov.com.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for grant assistance from the CRA, the recipient must satisfy all the following requirements:

The business must be located within the boundary of the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment District (GFS District). Mobile businesses that operate from an address in the GFS District and have appropriate business documentation (see #3 below) are eligible to apply. Verify you are in the GFS District.
Cannot have received COVID-19 Economic Development Relief (CEDR) funds from the Tallahassee/Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV).
Be a for profit corporation/business located within the boundary of the GFS District (Corporate, Regional, Division, Registered Office or Franchise) and registered with the Florida Division of Corporations; a sole proprietor with a registered fictitious name and registered with the Department of State; a sole proprietor who does not have a fictitious and is registered with either the Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Florida Department of Revenue; federal tax returns indicating the business operates as either proprietorship or partnership; or other documentation accepted in writing by the CRA.
The business must have been in business prior to March 18, 2020.
Have at least one employee but fewer than 50 employees.
Pledge in good faith to remain in business for at least 45 days following the receipt of the CRA disaster assistance grant funding.
Grant funds cannot be used for assistance to complete the application.
Applications must be submitted electronically; paper applications will not be accepted. Staff can assist with application submittals.

Application

* Applicant Name:

* Applicant Role in Business:

* Business Name:

* Business Address:

* City:

* State:

* Zip Code:

* Business Phone Number:

* Business Email Address:

* Number of Employees:

Note: An employee is defined as an individual who receives a paid wage or salary which employment taxes (e.g. FICA, FUTA) and income taxes are withdrawn and remitted to the IRS, as evidenced by business tax returns filed, i.e. IRS Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return, IRS Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or IRS Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements. For purposes of eligibility, independent contractors (also known as 1099 employees) do qualify as employees for this program.

* Estimated Annual Revenue:

* Number of Locations:

* Is your business currently operational?
YesNo

* Briefly describe your business services/product:

* Briefly describe the negative impact COVID-19 has had on your business: (you will also need to provide documentation below in Upload #2):

* Pre-COVID Weekly Revenue (As of February 2020):

* March 2019 Average Weekly Revenue:

* Average Weekly Revenue Since March 18, 2020:

* By checking "Yes", I certify the business described in this application is an active business located in or operating from within the boundary of the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area. Verify you are in the GFS District. Yes

* By checking "Yes", I certify no person and/or firm will be paid out grant funds, if approved, to help complete this application.
Yes

* By checking "Yes", I certify the business described in this application will remain open and retain employment at the highest possible pre-COVID-19 levels to the best of its ability for 45 days from receipt of the CRA disaster assistance grant funding.
Yes

* By checking "Yes", I certify the business described in this application did not receive COVID-19 Economic Development Relief (CEDR) funds from the Tallahassee/Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV).
Yes

Required Uploads (.PDF, .JPG, .PNG)
* Upload #1: Proof of Business in Leon County (Articles of Incorporation, Bill to Business Address or other documentation)

* Upload #2: Documentation demonstrating the negative impact COVID-19 has had on your business between March 2019 and May 2020. This could include, but is not limited to, a comparison of monthly sales tax returns to the Florida Department of Revenue, IRS quarterly business tax forms (Form 941 and/or 720), bank statements, payroll information or signed statements from a certified public accountant.

* Upload #3: The Property Information Sheet from the Leon County Property Appraiser Website confirming the business is located within the GFS District or other documentation acceptable to the CRA verifying the business is located in the GFS District.

Upload #4: For tenants: please provide a copy the lease with the GFS District property owner or other documentation acceptable to the CRA (such as a certified letter from owner of the property where your business is located) that shows your business is located in the GFS District.

* Signature (click "Save Signature" when done signing)

By signing my full name, I certify that all information is valid and complete and hereby authorize the City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the City of Tallahassee and their affiliated offices and agencies to verify any of the above information as deemed necessary. I certify that I have reviewed the CRA disaster assistance grant eligibility requirements and selection criteria and that, to the best of my knowledge, the above-mentioned recipient is eligible to receive a grant from the CRA. I understand that. in the event the CRA awards a grant to the above-mentioned recipient, I may be required to provide subsequent documentation regarding the use of the grant funds. I agree to return to CRA any funds received for intentionally submitting false information to receive CRA funds, and agree to pay CRA's attorney's fees and costs associated with any action to recover CRA funds.

Selection Criteria

CRA disaster assistance grant recipients will be selected solely on the eligibility requirements above and available funding. Each grant applicant will be screened for compliance with the eligibility requirements on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis by CRA and City staff or other persons designated by the CRA Executive Director.

Grants will be made in the form of lump sum distributions of $2,000 to approved grant recipients.

Payments will be made to the applicant through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network within 10 days of an approved application.

Each grant recipient will be required to provide CRA with documentation that the grant was used in a manner consistent with the terms of the grant. All data submitted may be subject to Public Records Laws unless there is a statutory exemption.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster #: FL-00152

Effective Date: Upon approval

Incident Period: March 18, 2020 – Ongoing (per emergency declaration)