Tomorrow is the last day for area businesses to apply for CARES Act funding.
Umatilla County received $1.18 million in CARES Act funding from the state of Oregon to distribute to small businesses being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A county-wide grant program is being administered by Umatilla County Economic Development.
Applications are now being accepted and the process closes on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- The business is headquartered and operating in Umatilla County.
- If required by Oregon law to be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State to do business in Oregon, the business is so registered.
- The business is either for-profit or an entity tax-exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- The business was adversely affected in either one of the following two ways: 1) The business was prohibited from operating as directed by Executive Order 20-65 or 20-12; 2) The business can demonstrate a one-month decline in sales of 25 percent or more, incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, between March 1 and Nov. 30, 2020, as compared against the same period of time in 2019.
- Employ 50 or fewer Full Time equivalent (FTE) employees.
The following businesses are ineligible to apply for or receive funding under the program:
- Passive real estate holding company or other entity holding a passive investment in a small business but with no operational ties to that business.
- Non-profit entities that do not have Federal 501(c)3 status.
- Businesses that experience a decline in revenues for reasons other than those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. seasonal or cyclical business cycles).
- Businesses that are delinquent on Federal, State or local taxes that were due on or before the date of application.
- Businesses that do not comply with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations. (Marijuana-related businesses are not eligible due to Federal status).
- Businesses that have closed and do not intend to reopen.
- Businesses that are an adult-oriented business or derive a majority of income from gambling activities.
Umatilla County will prioritize the hospitality industry, businesses impacted by the state-mandated two-week freeze and small businesses. Grant award amounts will vary depending upon type of business and economic impact.
A grant review committee will work to ensure equitable distribution across Umatilla County based on population.
Those who do not have computer access may also pick up a paper application at each community’s city hall and return the completed application to that city hall by the Dec. 15 deadline.
Any questions can be sent to grants@umatillacounty.net.
For more information, call the Umatilla Electric Cooperative Business Resource Center at 541-289-3000 or email uecbrc@gmail.com.
