Deadline Extended For JC CARES Act Business Grant Program

JOHNS CREEK, GA — As part of its commitment to celebrating and supporting local businesses, the City of Johns Creek earmarked $2.7 million of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to support Johns Creek businesses the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to apply is Feb. 22.

The grant funding is targeted specifically to help small- and medium-sized local businesses with a physical commercial location within the City of Johns Creek. Grants are strictly limited to businesses that were in operation in Johns Creek during COVID-19 pandemic, are currently licensed, and remain in operation. Not-for-profit designated companies are eligible for funding if they meet all the eligibility criteria. Funds are limited to businesses that have experienced business disruption as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic such as being forced to cease operations by an executive order of the governor or having to partially close or limit operations to meet the requirements of an executive order of the governor.

The grant funding is available for all eligible businesses (further detailed below under the “Eligible Businesses” Section). All eligible businesses that apply by the application deadline will receive an equal share of grant funds.

Applications will be accepted until noon on Feb. 22, and grants will be awarded until the CARES Act funds are depleted. In addition to extending the JC CARES Grant Program application deadline, the Johns Creek City Council also amended the requirements for eligibility. Applicants now only need to provide a 2020 Johns Creek business license to show acceptable proof of business operation. The requirement for eligible businesses to provide both a 2019 Johns Creek business license and a 2020 Johns Creek business license renewed prior to March 15 has been removed.

To view business eligibility and application requirements, visit the website.

In March 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which established the $150 billion coronavirus relief fund and were distributed based on population. In partnership with Fulton County, the City of Johns Creek’s pro rata allocation of the CARES Act funds is $3,528,706.

The mayor and city council of Johns Creek voted to approve the Johns Creek CARES Business Grant program in November. The CARES Business Grant program is intended to help all eligible businesses by providing emergency funds to offset the significant, temporary loss of revenue caused by the pandemic.

Johns Creek adopted an intergovernmental agreement with Fulton County formalizing the city’s pro rata allocation of the CARES Act funds in the amount of $3,528,706. The city previously expended just over $500,000 on direct COVID-19 related expenditures and hazard pay for public safety personnel. The city council has also set aside $300,000 for the Johns Creek Cares Vulnerable Populations Grant to assist Johns Creek residents suffering significant hardship due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by extending financial support to not-for-profit organizations that offer programs assisting those in need.