CARES Abstract and FAQ

Phase II CITRUS COUNTY CARES Act - GRANT PROGRAM

Abstract

Citrus County Board of County Commissioners will provide a recovery grant to small businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Phase II will provide individual grants for Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians must be located in a commercial space a 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased on or after March 1, 2020: grant award $2,000, Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians must be located in a commercial space with a 2019/2020 BTR purchased before March 1, 2020: grant award $3,000 , Retail Non-Profit - $7,500, Food Trucks, not in a Commercial Space - $2,000, Bars and Restaurants (Second Round) - $5,000, acceptance of a business that was otherwise eligible, not awarded in Phase I, but with BTR subsequently resolved with 2019/2020 BTR issuance - $4,000, and Manatee and Dive Tour Captains shut down by governmental action with a current 2019/2020 BTR purchased before March 1, 2020- $3,000.

Phase II of the Citrus County’s CARES grant awards will begin at 8:00 a.m. on September 1, 2020 and end at 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2020. Phase II will include grant awards for Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians who must be located in a commercial space with a 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased on or after March 1, 2020-$2,000, Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians who must be located in a commercial space with a 2019/2020 BTR purchased before March 1, 2020-$3,000, Retail Non-Profit - $7,500, Food Trucks, not in a Commercial Space - $2,000, Bars and Restaurants (Second Round) - $5,000, acceptance of a business that was otherwise eligible, not awarded in Phase I, but with a BTR subsequently resolved with 2019/2020 BTR issuance - $4,000, and Manatee and Dive Tour Captains shut down by governmental action with a current 2019/2020 BTR purchased before March 1, 2020 - $3,000.
The emergency relief is targeted specifically to help local businesses with a commercial location within Citrus County to cover immediate financial needs. Grants are strictly limited to organizations located physically within Citrus County, including the cities of Inverness and Crystal River. Funds can only be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures, by governmental action, provided those costs are not paid by insurance or by another federal program.

Eligible Businesses

Organizations are eligible for a grant from Citrus County if:

  • The business occupies commercial space within Citrus County and has a 2019/2020 Citrus County Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Certificate, a 2019/2020 City of Inverness Business Tax Receipt Certificate (BTR), or a 2019/2020 City of Inverness Business Tax Receipt (BTR) Certificate. A retail non for profit organization may remit a form 990 or their Sunbiz registration.

  • Has at least one (1), but no more than 35 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including the business owner. The firm can have many more part-time employees as long as the total weekly hours of all employees does not exceed 1,400 (35 FTE x 40-hour work week).

  • The business can demonstrate ongoing business operations in Citrus County.

  • The business has or will return to full operations after local and state emergency guidelines during COVID-19 are rescinded.

Ineligible Businesses

  • Businesses determined “essential retail and commercial” by the State of Florida.

  • Businesses with more than 35 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Citrus County has limited funding. Small businesses tend to be in a more precarious financial condition. The County intends to preserve and promote small local businesses.

  • Publicly traded companies. These firms are owned by the stockholders, who may not be local residents and are not involved in the day to day operations of the company.

  • Home-based businesses. Home-based businesses tend to have very few employees and do not pay the additional rent or utility expenses of brick and mortar businesses.

  • Businesses with unpaid code enforcement liens or fees due to a City and or the County.

  • Businesses with an owner, officer, partner, or principal actor who has a felony, or financial mismanagement conviction within the last two years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation).

  • Businesses without a valid County, City Business Tax Receipt Certificate, or State Business license or form 990 or their Sunbiz registration.

Eligible Grant Uses

This is a grant program, so no payback is required; however, funds may only be used for the approved eligible uses listed below. These funds may be considered taxable income, please contact your financial advisor for guidance. The funds must be used to cover any of the eligible expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Expenditures cannot have been paid for under another federal program.

Applicant Criteria

  • Citrus County registered business in operation.

  • Has at least one (1) but nor more than 35 full-time equivalents.

  • Must have been negatively affected by the onset of COVID-19 Pandemic (e.g., non-essential business, reduction of hours, lost revenues, furlough employees, etc.).


Application Requirements

  • A completed and signed IRS W-9 form. You can find this form at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

  • A business tax receipt purchased by the Citrus County Tax Collector, by the City of

    Crystal River, by the City of Inverness, or was a business as of March 1, 2020 and is expected to return to full operations after local and state emergency guidelines during COVID-19 are rescinded.

  • Staffing documentation: Detailed Payroll Report as of March 1, 2020 (indicates employees, wages, full/part-time status).

  • Required Documents:
    • Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians must be located
      in a Citrus County commercial space - $2,000
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased on or after March 1,
        2020
      • Lease agreement
      • 1099 or Schedule C
    • Hairstylists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians must be located
      in a Citrus County commercial space - $3,000
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased before March 1, 2020
      • Lease agreement
      • 1099 or Schedule C
    • Retail Non-Profit must be located in commercial space- $7,500
      • W-9
      • Lease agreement
      • Form 990 or Sunbiz registration
      • 1099, 941 or Schedule C
    • Food Trucks not in Commercial location (owner must be a Citrus County
      resident) - $2,000
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased before March 1, 2020
      • Lease/agreement
      • Schedule C, 1099, or 941
    • Bars and Restaurants (Second Round grant awarded in Phase I) - $5,000
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased before March 1, 2020
      • Lease/agreement
      • Schedule C, 1099, or 941
    • Acceptance of a businesses that was otherwise eligible not awarded from
      Phase I, but with subsequent BTRs has been resolved with 2019/2020 BTR
      issuance- $4,000
      • Same requirements as Phase I (eligible business, proper documents,
        commercial space)
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased after March 1, 2020
      • Lease/agreement
      • Schedule C, 1099, or 941
    • Manatee and Dive Tour Captains shut down by government action with a
      current 2019/2020 BTR purchased before March 1, 2020 - $3,000
      • W-9
      • 2019/2020 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) purchased before March 1, 2020
      • National Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel License (OUPV) or
        (a.k.a Six Pak) Captain's License
      • Lease agreement
      • 1099/Schedule C

Applications will be submitted using a digital online portal. Applicants will be required to
digitally sign the application and attest, under penalty of perjury, that all information submitted
is truthful. The application can be found at www.citrusbocc.com/cares

Application Process
The Citrus County Small Business Recovery Grant has allotted $3,425,498 for Phase II of the
program. Funds will be distributed on a first-submitted and eligible application basis. Please
submit your application online in its entirety. The County may determine further information
is necessary to process a grant request and will contact the applicant by email for additional
documentation. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide this information as requested.
Incomplete applications will not be considered; please submit in its entirety. Applications will be
accepted until funds are fully exhausted or September 30, 2020, whichever occurs first.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is the employee count determined?
A: The employee count is determined by the total number of full-time equivalent employees (FTE’s), which includes full time and part time employees, as well as 1099’s and the owner. Total weekly hours cannot exceed 1,400 hours for 1 –35 employees (35 FTE *40 hour work week).

Q: I have multiple businesses, is there a cap to what I can receive?
A: Grant funds are available for each qualifying business based on its federal identification number. There is one grant per federal identification number.

Q: How will I submit my documents to you?
A: Clear legible scans, photos, and screen shots of the required documents can be uploaded.

Q: Will my business be eligible to receive funds from the Federal CARES program if I receive funds from this program?
A: It depends on the funding program; please refer to the CARES Act for additional information.

Q: Are home-based businesses eligible to apply?
A: Home-based businesses are not eligible, at this time.

Q: I operate a franchise, am I eligible to apply?
A: Provided the franchise is independently owned, is not publicly traded, and meets all other qualifications, you would be eligible for the program.

Q: What happens if I do not include all of the required documents, when I submit my application?
A: Only submit your application when you are able to provide the required documents. Applications will only be considered when they are submitted in their entirety.

Q: Who issues a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) in Citrus County?
A: A Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is purchased by the Citrus County Tax Collector, the City of Crystal River, or the City of Inverness.
Please click on the following links for more information on BTRs:
Citrus County Tax Collector BTR link:
https://www.citrustc.us/services/business-tax-receipts/
City of Crystal River BTR link:
https://www.crystalriverfl.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_services/pag e/4461/business_tax_receipt_information_2019.pdf
City of Inverness BTR link:
https://www.inverness-fl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4756/BTR-PAGE-1?bidId=

Q: What if my business operates in Citrus County, but is foreign owned?
A: Foreign-owned companies can apply as long as they are registered as a Citrus County business with a business tax receipt and meet all other qualifications.

Q: What is a W-9 Form?
A: A W-9 form provides your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to the person who is required to file an information return with the IRS to report on income paid to to your organization.
Please see below web link for more information on a W-9 form to reference:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

Q: Can I apply in person or by mail?
A: No. The application must be completed online. Submit only once you are able to provide all of the required documents.

Q: What happens if my organization is awarded this grant?
A: You will receive a notice of award by email. All grant award checks will be mailed to the place business’ address.

Q: When will awarded grant payments be disbursed?
A: Payments will be issued every Thursday, commencing September 3rd 2020 until
October 1st 2020.

Q: What if I have questions?
A: Please call (352) 527-5449 or email cares@citrusbocc.com