Lucas County Small Business Stabilization Grant

Funder: Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Lucas County

Geographic Scope: Lucas County, Ohio

Program Overview:
Financial assistance to aid small businesses in Lucas County with relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded via Lucas County's allotment from the federal CARES Act.

Award Amounts:

• Businesses with 1-20 employees: Up to $10,000
• Businesses with 21-50 employees: Up to $25,000
• Not-for-profit entities with 50 or fewer employees: Up to $25,000

Eligible Expenses (incurred between April 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020):

• Salaries, wages, and compensation paid to employees
• Rent or lease costs
• Mortgage costs including interest
• Utility costs for electric, natural gas/propane, internet, and phone
• Business insurance costs
• Inventory and supplies
• Personal Protective Equipment or other Responsible RestartOhio related costs

Ineligible Expenses:

• Cost of vehicles or equipment leased or purchased (except to comply with Responsible RestartOhio requirements)
• Personal, non-business expenses
• Construction costs (except to comply with Responsible RestartOhio requirements)
• Any tax, license, or fee obligations payable to governmental entities
• Costs already covered or reimbursed by COVID-related funding (PPP, EIDL)
• Costs for political or religious activities

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity with primary operation in Lucas County, Ohio
• Must have been established on or before January 1, 2019
• Must have a Federal Taxpayer Identification Number
• Must have a physical business location inside Lucas County
• Must be a small business with 50 or fewer employees
• Must have less than $5 million in annual gross revenue (evidenced by 2019 federal tax return)
• Must certify experiencing a loss in gross revenue in 2020 due to COVID-19
• Must certify being current on all federal, state, and local taxes, and not having liens on property
• Must certify compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements
• Must certify not being in bankruptcy
• Must attest to remaining in business through December 31, 2020 at minimum

Ineligible Businesses

• Banks, savings and loans, or credit unions
• Businesses with costs originating solely from a personal residence
• Franchised businesses not locally owned and independently operated
• Businesses currently in bankruptcy
• Cannabis businesses and businesses ancillary to cannabis

Program Timeline: Applications accepted October 27, 2020 - December 1, 2020 (or until funds depleted)

Application Submission Process

Submission Method: Web-based form at toledochamber.com/grant

Application Period: October 27, 2020 - December 1, 2020 (or when funds depleted)

Processing: Completed applications processed on first-come, first-serve basis until funds exhausted

Required Documentation

1. Copy of 2019 tax returns, including:
   • Form 1040 with Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business
   • Form 1120 (if corporation)
   • Equivalent documentation
2. Copy of 2019 Form W-3 Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements (showing number of employees)
3. Copy of business's Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (signed in 2019)
4. Proof of reimbursable business expenditures (receipts/invoices)

Submission Requirements

• Complete application form via web-based portal
• Submit all required documentation
• Applicant receives confirmation upon submission

Final Decision and Notification

• Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce contacts applicants once decision made
• Approved applicants complete grant agreement before fund release
• All grant funds distributed via electronic payment (ACH)
• Applicants must provide ACH form with payment information