The Town of Nashville has been awarded another $250,000 to aid small businesses in town in their recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the awards to 80 Hoosier communities on April 19. They’ll receive a share of more than $18.6 million in federal grant funding through OCRA’s COVID-19 Response Grant Program. The money comes from the federal CARES Act.

“This grant program has already provided support to more than 600,000 Hoosiers across our state,” Crouch said. “This round we expanded the COVID-19 Response Grant Program so we can continue helping Hoosiers, their families and their businesses recover from the pandemic.”

In April 2020, OCRA began addressing COVID-19 impact on Indiana communities. Last year, 112 grants were awarded to 96 communities, totaling more than $20.9 million. Brown County and Nashville both received money at that time.

For this round, eligible applicants could apply for up to $250,000 to provide mental health services, childcare services, public WiFi locations, food pantry or bank services, subsidence payment programs, or grants or loans to businesses to retain low-to-moderate income (LMI) jobs.

Brown County did not apply this time. Nashville did and was awarded $250,000 to grant up to $10,000 to small businesses that have been most severely impacted by the pandemic.

Last fall, the town was able to give out 29 grants to Nashville businesses through this program.

More information about applying is being developed. Town Records Clerk Sandie Jones estimated the town would be able to start the process in early May.

<strong>OTHER BUSINESS AID PROGRAMS:</strong>

<strong>Small Business Restart Grant</strong>

The Small Business Administration has expanded its Small Business Restart Grant. The program provides working capital to eligible companies by reimbursing certain expenses incurred during and related to the global pandemic.

Businesses may be eligible if they:
<ul>
<li>were established prior to Oct. 1, 2019;</li>
<li>are registered to operate in Indiana, except sole proprietors, and must be seeking reimbursement for expenses related only to their Indiana operations;</li>
<li>are in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue or have entered into a payment plan approved by the Indiana Department of Revenue;</li>
<li>had fewer than 100 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2019;</li>
<li>have been profitable and have had less than $10 million in revenue (gross receipts or sales) in 2019; and</li>
<li>demonstrate a monthly gross revenue loss of at least 30 percent compared to pre-COVID 2019 average monthly revenue.</li>
</ul>
Businesses can apply for reimbursement for qualified expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021. Reimbursements may be awarded up to $10,000 for each month during that period but may not exceed $50,000.

Qualified expenses include payroll, insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, lease payments and safety investments. These expenses may be reimbursed up to 80 percent for non-payroll expenses and up to 100 percent for payroll expenses.

The program may give preference to Hoosier small businesses in the hospitality industry, but all eligible businesses are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applying is Dec. 31. Eligible small businesses are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible; grants will be issued in the order in which applications are received until funding is exhausted or until the program expires.

For more information, visit <a href="https://backontrack.in.gov/2377.htm">https://backontrack.in.gov/2377.htm</a>.

<strong>Restaurant Revitalization Fund</strong>

Allowable uses of these funds include, payroll, rent, utility payments, scheduled mortgage payments, supplies, food and beverage expenses within scope of normal business practice, operational expenses, paid sick leave, and maintenance expenses.

The covered period of the award is Feb, 15, 2020 to March 11, 2023.

Eligible entities include restaurants; food stands; food trucks; food carts; caterers; saloons; inns; taverns; bars; lounges; brewpubs; tasting rooms; taprooms; licensed facilities or premise of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample or purchase products; or other similar places of business in which the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink.

Onsite sales to public must have made up at least 33 percent of gross receipts in 2019.

Entities that own or operate more than 20 locations or are publicly traded are not eligible. Entities that have applied for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will not be eligible for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund award.

More information is posted at <a href="http://sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund">sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund</a>.

<strong>Shuttered Venue Operators Grant</strong>

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is a $16 billion grant program for eligible live venue operators, promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, or talent representatives who demonstrate at least 25 percent reduction in revenues.

The entity must have been in operation as of Feb, 29, 2020.

More information is posted at <a href="http://sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant">sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant</a>.