Smyrna Offering Small Business And Nonprofit Grants

SMYRNA, GA — Smyrna small business owners and nonprofits who have been impacted by COVID-19 have until Friday to apply for a local grant, the city announced Monday.

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Smyrna authorized the creation of a Small Business/Nonprofit CARES Grant program. Qualifying businesses and nonprofit organizations who demonstrate a financial impact of $500 or greater are eligible to receive grant funds (minimum of $500 in grant funding).

Each business requesting to participate in this program must submit an application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020. All applications submitted by the deadline and that meet the requirements will be considered.

All applications and required attachments must be emailed to SmyrnaBusinessGrant@SmyrnaGa.gov or received at Brawner Hall (Attn: Community Development Department, City of Smyrna, 3180 Atlanta Road, Smyrna Ga 30080) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020 to be considered. Please visit the Smyrna CARES Small Business/Nonprofit Grant Program page for a link to the application form.

Funds are made available through CARES Act funds allocated by Cobb County Government with funds received through the Department of the Treasury's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

The application and additional information about the grant program may be found on the Smyrna CARES Small Business/Nonprofit Grant Program page of this website or through the following URL: https://www.smyrnaga.gov/your-government/covid-19-response-citizen-business-information-resources/small-business-emergency-assistance/smyrna-cares-business-grant-program

Eligibility requirements for the grant:

• Business/Nonprofit primary location must be within City of Smyrna City Limits;
• Business/Nonprofit must have been in continuous operation for a minimum of one (1) year prior to March 13, 2020;
• Business/Nonprofit must have a current business license issued by the City of Smyrna and be current on all City taxes, permits, and utility payments;
• Business must meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) definition of a small business based on industry;
• Business/Nonprofit has estimated annual gross receipts under $5 million;
• Business/Nonprofit must show financial disruption of $500 or greater;

Please include one of the following financial documents to demonstrate a financial business interruption:

• Copy of two most recent Bank Statements vs. same two periods of prior year that demonstrates reduced cash flow;
• Copy of Sales Tax Returns – two most recent vs. same two periods of prior year;
• Comparative Financials from prior periods (2 months minimum);

Forms to Include with this Application:

• Copy of current City of Smyrna Occupational Tax Certificate
• Copy of 2019 business or nonprofit federal tax return (IRS Forms accepted include: 990, 1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C or Schedule F);
• W9 Form;
• Please provide documentation or certification if you have received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA);
• Nonprofit entities must include a current 501 (c)(3) status;

Additional Information

• Funds are made available through CARES Act funds allocated by Cobb County Government with funds received through the Department of the Treasury's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
• The Smyrna CARES Business/Nonprofit grant is not a loan, it is a grant and is not required to be paid back to the City of Smyrna by the businesses or nonprofits that receive a grant allocation distributed by the City of Smyrna.
• The application period is Thursday, October 1 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020.
• Businesses that qualify may be home-based or located in an owned or leased commercial space.
• Ineligible businesses include: gambling institutions, multi-level marketing organizations, real estate investment firms (REITS), adult entertainment
• On the application, you must provide a brief description of how your business or organization has been impacted due to the COVID-19 national public health emergency in addition to other requirements. The funds may be used for the following:
• Rent/leases/equipment rental
• Utility payments
• Marketing
• PPE and other supplies/costs for ensuring employee and customer safety
• Rehiring and/or maintaining full-time W-2 or 1099 employees
• Though you are eligible to receive funds through this program if you have received other forms of funding, it is incumbent upon the applicant to ensure compliance with any other local, state, or federal relief funding received.