New Phase II Small Business Relief Program applications now available for Washington, Daviess County businesses

October 20, 2020

OCRA CDBG grant to fund local city and county programs on tiered basis.

6/23/21 UPDATE – COVID SMALL BUSINESS RELIEVE GRANT PROGRAM IS WRAPPING UP
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY JULY 30, 2021

WASHINGTON (Indiana) – To help area small businesses navigate the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis and related economic downturn, a new Small Business Relief Program will begin taking applications on October 23 to help businesses in the city of Washington and Daviess County. This Phase II program will be for businesses who did not receive funding under the original Small Business Relief Program, according to Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC). Qualified grant recipients do not have to pay back the grant if conditions are met.

Daviess County officials are presently administrating 32 grants awarded under the initial Phase I of funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). “We received more applications than we had funds available under the first phase of this OCRA program, so we’re grateful and excited that a new and larger round of funding has been made available,” said Niehoff.

Both Daviess County and the city of Washington received $250,000 each for this new Phase II program through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from OCRA.

Funding levels and the application process for the half million dollars in new funding have also been modified from the initial program. Beginning October 23, qualifying businesses can submit an application for a tiered level of grant funding. Companies with full-time employees totaling 20 or less can apply for up to $5,000; companies with 21 to 40 full-time employees can apply for up to $7,500; and companies with 41-100 employees can apply for up to $10,000.

For this round, priority consideration for funding will be given to certified minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned businesses.

As before, applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications early while funding is available, said Niehoff. “Assistance is available if those applying for the grant have questions.”

Companies will no longer be required to complete an intake form for each employee in the business, as was the process with Phase I applications. A completed spreadsheet with a tabulation of each employee’s annual income will be required as part of the application and is available via a link provided in the online application. Once downloaded and completed, the form should be uploaded in the online application prior to final submission.

Made possible by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Daviess County program  is intended to provide working capital to Daviess County businesses, assist businesses to remain operational during the COVID-19 economic downturn, and support remote work for businesses that are following the Governor’s Back on Track Indiana Plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“OCRA and state administrators did a phenomenal job in reallocating funds to make these critical grants possible for Indiana businesses in rural areas,” Niehoff said. “Phase I had a strong impact in Daviess County and we’re looking forward to the positive outcomes from this new round of funding.”

Applicants must be a for-profit, established business in either the city of Washington or Daviess County (excluding franchisees); must be able to demonstrate that funds will be used to retain jobs; and that funds will be used for working capital, operational expenses, and/or to support remote work for businesses during the COVID-19 economic downturn.

Click here to access the online application.
Click here to download the required spreadsheet.

“As before, Phase II applications for both Daviess County and city of Washington businesses will be reviewed by an Advisory Review Committee consisting of representatives from the Daviess County Commissioners, the County Council, the Mayor’s office, a representative from the Washington City Council, the Daviess County EDC, and the Daviess County Chamber & Visitors Bureau,” Niehoff explained. “Recommendations will then be made to OCRA who will determine final eligibility.”

Questions may be directed to Jill Campbell at JCampbell@DevelopDaviess.com.

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About the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs COVID-19 Response

In mid-March of this year, Governor Holcomb took additional actions to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak with Executive Order 20-05. This order directs multiple state agencies on the expectations of providing support and protection to Hoosiers across the State. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) received notice that Community Development Block Grant funds may be redirected to assist with COVID-19 needs based on guidance from the United States Housing and Urban Development.

The COVID-19 Response Program was created to address the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on Indiana’s rural communities. Funds are derived from the State’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation and guidance was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how the funds were to be used. 

About the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation

As a private/public partnership for county-wide economic development, the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is working to build a foundation for a better tomorrow in the communities within Daviess County, Indiana.  A founding organization of the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park, DCEDC’s mission is to improve the standard of living in Daviess County by expanding and diversifying the economic base, promoting quality employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of place. For more information, please visit www.developdaviess.com