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$5,000.00

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This is a grant. The money must be used to reimburse eligible costs. It does not have to be paid back.

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Grant funds can be used to reimburse for:

• rent or mortgage payments
• utilities including gas, water, electric, internet, phone service
• payroll
• Personal protective equipment and other COVID-related expenses

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• Expenses incurred outside of the March 1 to December 31, 2020 timeframe
• Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed through another federal program or some other funding source (PPP, SBA EIDL, DCEO, private grants)
• Damages covered by insurance
• Reimbursing donors for donated items or services
• Expenses in preparation for future outbreaks

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The application window will be open Monday, November 16.

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Businesses will be able to apply for two weeks, from November 16 to November 30.

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Applicants must apply online at https://www.springfield.il.us/grantapplications.aspx. Once the application window closes (November 30), all applications will be reviewed by staff for completeness. The narrative portion of the application will be evaluated by independent reviewers from the Economic and Community Development Commission. Applications will be selected for approval based on the rubric and written narrative. Applications will be ranked based on the scores from the rubric and written narrative and grants will be awarded until all funds are exhausted. Awards will be announced mid-December.

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Yes; you may call the Office of Planning and Economic Development at (217) 789-2377.

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There is no process to save an application and return to it. Please make sure you have the information ready when you begin to fill in your application. Once you hit submit, your application is entered and cannot be changed.

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Yes; businesses must have a street address within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield to be eligible for grant funds.

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A business that has already received assistance may still be eligible for this grant if there are unmet needs. There can be no duplication of benefits (a business cannot pay for the same expense twice).

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No; each business entity may apply only once.

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Applicants can only submit for the location and needs for the business located within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield.

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Each entity filing a federal tax return is considered an eligible applicant.

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Yes, however, an eligible franchisee applicant must have a physical operating location within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield. All funds awarded must be used for costs incurred in Springfield facilities and operations.

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No; a business must be able to demonstrate year-over-year revenue loss.

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No. Funds received under this grant program may not be applied against any costs that were also used to satisfy the requirements of another grant or loan program.

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Yes, however, all applicants must certify that they are and were in compliance with federal, state and local laws during all phases.

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Property management businesses must have a physical business address separate from a home address and must have w-2 employees to qualify as a small business.

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Please have the following information ready to complete the application:

• EIN/SSN number
• Legal Structure (Corp, LLC, LLP, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership)
• The year the business was established
• Date of operations in Springfield (may be the same as above)
• March‐July 2019 Revenue Statement
• March‐July 2020 Revenue Statement
• Total Revenue from Last Submitted Federal Tax Return
• Copy of the Business’ Last Submitted Federal Tax Return (schedule F, C or 990) and IRS determination letter (non‐profits only)
• Net Profit or Loss or revenue less expenses on most recent business tax return
• Number of employees (FT and PT) as of March 17, 2020
• Number of employees today
• Approximate amount and source of any other assistance funding (CARES Act, State of Illinois, PPP, etc)
• Narrative of current and projected future impact on operations and intended use of funds
• Unbudgeted expenses to‐date as a result of COVID
• Current operating status (not open, 25% capacity, etc.)

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The headcount is based on your full-time and part-time count on March 17, 2020.

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Employee headcount includes full-time and part-time employees for which the entity will issue a form W-2. Third party subcontractors are not included in headcount.

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Yes.

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Certain application information will be available publicly for all applicants: name and location of applicant, funding amount awarded. Proprietary business information that will NOT be publicly released includes revenue amounts, operating expense amounts, purpose of funding and whether other funding was obtained.

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No, a grant will not be awarded if the application is incomplete, not properly executed, contains erroneous information, or lacks proper documentation.

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Required documents include a completed vendor form, final executed grant agreement between the awardee and the City, plus the documentation listed in the application form.

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The City intends to announce awards and begin disbursing funds beginning the week of December 14, 2020. All funds must be disbursed by the end of January 2021.

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Awardees may be required to complete a brief close-out report to outline final use of funds and outcomes from fund utilization. Additional information may be requested per audit.