The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County (The Chamber) has partnered with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grants to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The Southern Oregon Strong Business Success Grant Program is intended to provide direct payments to businesses in Oregon House District #4 who have or are currently experiencing losses due to the impact of COVID-19.
The program will cover revenue losses such as utility expenses, utility payments, mortgage and rent arrears, and other expenses to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19. Funds are allocated out of the US Treasury’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grants. The Chamber will award eligible small businesses up to $50,000 in funds.
To qualify, a business must be designated as a small business (per federal statue, that means no more than 500 employees) and their primary place of business must be located in Oregon House District #4 boundaries that were in effect prior to the 2021 legislative redistricting changes.
Please review the Responding to Negative Economic Impacts - Assistance to Small Businesses section of the SLFRF Overview of the Final Rule for more information about how these funds can be utilized.
TIMELINE AND SELECTION
The application period will be
open from March 15, 2023, through April 26, 2023. Once the application period is closed, The Chamber will review all eligible applicants and determine grant awards. Applicants will be notified of the selection results starting on May 17, 2023.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
In order to receive funds through this grant program, applicants will be prescreened to ensure they are compliant with federal and state guidelines. The Chamber reserves the right to reject applications not meeting federal and state requirements, or to request additional documentation showing eligibility, or if an application is not complete. The applications will be screened as follows:
- Is the applicant in good standing with federal and state entities?
- Did they demonstrate the negative impact(s) caused by COVID-19?
- Is the applicant receiving a duplicate benefit from other sources for the same Covid-19 related revenue loss?
- Is the organization located in Oregon House District #4 and/or serving community members that reside specifically in that district?
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- Complete Grant Application
- 2019, 2020, and 2021 (if available) Federal Income Tax Return documenting business income and loss
- Budget documentation to show how you will allocate the funding
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APPLY HERE