Surry County Business Recovery and Reinvention Grant Program

On April 7th, the Board of Supervisors approved and appropriated funds in the creation of a Surry County Business Recovery and Reinvention Grant Program to help enable companies to make changes to their business models, adopt new technologies or practices, or otherwise reinvent their businesses to cope with the economic and/or public health impacts of the pandemic. The Board of Supervisors authorized the budget, appropriation and transfer of $50,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Economic Development Authority of Surry County (EDA) for the purpose of administrating this grant program. On April 26th, the Surry County EDA approved the program and will begin on June 1st to June 22nd, 2022.

The Program provides for a one-time, emergency grant to eligible, small businesses in Surry County to assist with unplanned costs incurred as a direct result of business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a limited amount of funds available for the program; therefore, eligible businesses will be selected by the EDA until the total amount of funds are distributed.

Applications for funding should be submitted to the Surry County Economic Development Department who will screen applicants and ensure all documentation and requirements are met. This is a first come, first serve program. All applicants must submit information as provided below and all applications must be deemed complete before the Economic Development Department submits the application to the Economic Development Authority of Surry County, Virginia (the “EDA”).

Please submit applications at lgholston@surrycountyva.gov or at the Surry County Resource Center located at 11916 Rolfe Highway, Surry, VA 23883 during working hours of Monday – Thursday, 10AM-3PM.

The factors for the award are set forth below. The EDA may also request additional information before finalizing its review. All applicants must further certify that the information provided below and submitted with this application is true and accurate. Please note that funds for this program are not guaranteed and the EDA may choose to award as many or as few grants as it chooses, but, in any event, the amount of the program is limited to $50,000.

Grants will be awarded based on the following factors:

1. Licensed and operational for-profit business in Surry County

2. Operational prior to March 1, 2022

3. Currently open and operating (Funds may NOT be used to restart a business closed during COVID-19)

4. Commitment to maintain funded project within Surry County for a minimum of 2 years post-award

5. Business must be in good standing with Surry County or Town taxes and zoning regulations

6. 25 employees or less (not to include out of county contractors)

7. Funds will only be distributed via ACH or by check (If awarded the business must provide the Economic Development Authority additional banking forms for financial disbursement)

8. Business has made efforts to retain employees during the COVID-19 outbreak

9. Possession of current Surry County or Town of Surry, Claremont or Dendron Business License

10. This is a first come, first served basis

11. Submission of a timely and complete application (including all additionally required documentation). Applications will be tracked and numbered as they are received.

12. If approved, grant funds will be distributed to the business for qualifying business costs or current expense up to the amount of the grant award. Qualifying expenses include payroll, rent, utilities, mortgage payments, supplies, and business expenses during the last 12 months.

13. Qualified small businesses will be awarded a maximum of $5,000.

Grant amounts vary by size of business, based on number of employed (documented by payroll statements and federal employment records)

The EDA will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, status as a veteran, including status as a service-disabled veteran, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law. Allegations of any discrimination should be made to the County Administrator, Melissa Rollins, mrollins@surrycountyva.gov.

Any questions regarding this application should be addressed to Linda Gholston, Workforce Development Coordinator: lgholston@surrycountyva.gov

Eligibility and Terms

Eligibility for the SBRRGP:

1. Must be a Surry County small business with 25 employees or less (national chain and/or nationally franchised locations or out of county contractors are not eligible)

2. Businesses must have been established and operational within Surry County for at least 12 months.

3. Businesses and business owners must possess a current Surry County or Town Business License.

4. Business owners must indicate on the application how their business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Factors to be considered for grant awards:

1. Have made efforts to retain employees during the COVID-19 outbreak (taking into consideration that legally required closures may have made employee retention easier in some industries than

others).

2. Possession of current Surry County or Town Of Surry, Claremont or Dendron Business License.

3. Submission of a timely and complete application (including all additionally required

documentation). Applications will be tracked and numbered as they are received.

4. If approved, grant funds will be distributed to the business as a reimbursement for qualifying business costs that occurred after March 17, 2021.

The Business must provide documentation where the qualifying expense was paid and then the EDA will reimburse the business for the expenses up to the amount of the grant award.

Qualifying expenses include:

1. Payroll, rent, utilities, mortgage payment, supplies, and business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. The applicant must clearly demonstrate the financial benefit this grant would have on their business operations and articulate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business.

3. Other relevant factors may be considered by the Authority.