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COVID Pandemic Recovery Small Business Assistance Grant Application Open Now Through April 30, 2022

Posted on: March 21, 2022 - 6:16am
City of Auburn Census Tracts
City of Auburn Census Tracts

The City of Auburn NY has directed $500,000 in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) / Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) grant funding to be allocated specifically to businesses located in the City of Auburn whose operations and financial condition were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Cayuga Economic Development Agency (“CEDA”) has been contracted by the City and will provide administration and oversight of the program based upon the eligibility criteria, funding uses and process and deadline for distribution outlined below.

Funding Award - A small business can apply up to $40,000. This is a grant program. Not a loan. Grant funding assistance is available for costs incurred after March 3, 2021.  No advances will be made. This is a reimbursement-based grant program.

Eligible Businesses - Small Businesses seeking CSLFRF funding through this program must:

  1. Have no more than 500 employees, or if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration for the industry in which the business concern or organization operates;
  2. Be a small business as defined in Section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 USC 632) that includes among other requirements that the business is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field of operation;
  3. Have a negative economic impact, or an economic harm (such as loss of earnings or revenue) that was experienced by the small business from the pandemic;
  4. Use federal funds to address the identified economic impact or harm that resulted from the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
  5. Enter into a funding agreement with the City of Auburn and/or a partner agency that will include, but is not limited to: generally accepted legal and financial principles, quarterly reporting, access to annual and program financial records, and audit/ monitoring requirements of projects or programs.

 Application Eligibility - Small Businesses are eligible for assistance under the CSLFRF Program as either an “Impacted Small Business” or “Disproportionately Impacted Small Business”.

  1. To be considered an Impacted Small Business it must be located within the City of Auburn that experienced a negative economic impact during the pandemic. Impacts may include:
  • Lost revenue or increased costs;
  • Challenges covering payroll, rent or mortgage;
  • Other operating costs;
  • The capacity of a small business to weather financial hardships; and
  • General financial insecurity resulting from the public health emergency
  • Assistance to Impacted Small Businesses includes the following eligible use of funds:
  • Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship, such as by supporting payroll and benefits, costs to retain employees, and mortgage, rent, utility and other operating costs;

 

2.  To be considered as a Disproportionately Impacted Small Business impacts may include:

  • Must be a small business operating in the City’s Qualified Census Tract #421 (This Census Tract is located on the City’s near west side and is bound by South Street to the East and the City line to the West. South along Genesee Street and Northward to include the Wall Street and Aurelius Avenue neighborhoods.)

 or

  • Classes of small business that experienced disproportionately negative economic impacts that are located in the City of Auburn in the following industries:
    • Arts, Entertainment and Recreation;
    • Accommodation and Food Services;
    • Educational Services;
    • Health care and Social Assistance; and
    • Retail Trade
    • (Source: “Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Businesses and Employees by Industry”, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Response Survey to the Coronavirus Pandemic, July 2021)

Assistance to Disproportionately Impacted Small Businesses includes the following eligible use of funds:

  • Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship, such as by supporting payroll and benefits, costs to retain employees, and mortgage, rent, utility and other operating costs;
  • Technical assistance;
  • Rehabilitation of commercial properties, storefront improvements & façade improvements;
  • Support for microbusinesses including financial, childcare and transportation costs

Current Ineligible Businesses:

  • Non-profits
  • Independent Contractors
  • Rental Properties (residential, short-term, and seasonal)
  • Franchises

Period to Use the Funds

  • The CSLFRF funds must be used to cover costs between March 3, 2021 and December 31, 2024. The period of performance will run until December 31, 2026 to provide the business a reasonable amount of time to complete projects funded by CSLFRF.

Application - Click here to apply on the City of Auburn website: https://www.auburnny.gov/planning-economic-development/bids/coronavirus-state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds  *Applicants will be required to create an account before completing the online application. When applying make sure to have an active email account to receive updates.

Application Deadline - Deadline for application submission is April 30, 2022 at 4:00pm

Need Assistance?  If you need help with completing the online application, contact a CEDA specialist to setup an appointment at 2 State Street: