BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY
Outlined below are the grant categories and eligibility criteria for a business to receive a grant. Eligibility exceptions may be considered by the City Manager.
Small Business Eligibility:
- Commercial business located and licensed in Citrus Heights, since at least 2019
- Business was operational as of March 1, 2020, and is still in business at the time of application submittal, and intends to remain open indefinitely
- Open to all industries, available to franchises and affiliate businesses
- Business entity earned $3 million annual revenue or less in calendar year 2019
- Business experienced a net revenue loss (gross revenue net of operating expenses) of at least 25% for the calendar year 2020 OR calendar year 2021 compared to the calendar year 2019.
- A business cannot receive more in ARPA grant funding than total revenue loss
- Business employed 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees or less, as of March 1, 2020.
- For businesses with multiple locations, only employment and revenue figures for the Citrus Heights location(s) can be used to qualify for a grant under the Program, and all grant funds received must be used only to support Citrus Heights business operations. Multiple locations within Citrus Heights operating under a single business entity will be considered one business for purposes of the Program.
- Passive businesses are not eligible. These include rental properties or any business in which the owner does not actively participate.
- This program does not include non-profits at this time.
FUNDING ALLOCATION LEVELS
Grant amounts to eligible businesses will be a flat amount determined by the 2019 Annual Gross Revenue for each small business applicant as indicated in the table below:
2019 Annual Gross Revenue Brackets | Grant Amount |
$1,000 - $100,000 | $2,000 |
$100,000 - $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
$1,000,000 - $3,000,000 | $15,000 |
USE OF FUNDS
Grant funds can be used to offset or reimburse the business for operational costs or revenue loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to support:
- General business operations
- Payroll expenses
- Supplier payments
- Rent, lease, or mortgage payments for business real or personal property
- Façade improvements to resolve COVID related blight
- Outdoor improvements
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and/or sanitation supplies and equipment
- Costs of compliance with county, state, or federal requirements or recommendations
- Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
Ineligible use of grant funds are as follows:
- Anything outside the scope relating to COVID-mitigation
- Any expense not applicable through ARPA
- To fund any business other than that which is receiving the grant
APPLICATION, REVIEW, AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Applications are open from February 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. through March 26, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (30 days). Applications may be submitted electronically, through the City's online form available here: https://www.citrusheights.net/FormCenter/City-Managers-Office-33/Small-Business-COVID19-Recovery-Grant-Pr-118. The City will also accept written applications mailed or dropped off to the attention of the City of Citrus Heights Accounting Manager at 6360 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621.The City will not accept applications after the application period closes. Please click here to download a fillable, printable version of the application.
The application process will include:
- Business submits application with required documents: Business License Certificate, 2019 and 2020 OR 2021 Filed Business Tax Returns, and W9
- City reviews application and supporting materials
- City determination of business eligibility and grant amount
- A discretionary administrative level review process by may be used if the program is oversubscribed
- Initial application period will be 30 calendar days; subsequent rounds may be initiated if funds are not exhausted during initial round
- The City Manager or his/her designee will make all final decisions on Program eligibility and adherence and any related interpretations necessary to make a grant decision.
PUBLIC RECORD
Unless otherwise exempt under applicable law, applications and application materials are public records. All information received from an applicant, whether received in connection with a grant application or in connection with any grant-funded activities performed, are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act, unless otherwise exempt. Examples of potential exemption include social security numbers, tax identification numbers, or other security related information.
AFFIDAVIT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE FORM
All businesses offered a grant who choose to accept the grant will be required to sign a non-negotiable affidavit, waiver, and release form prior to payment being made. The affidavit will require the applicant to declare that all information contained in the application is true and correct and can be used as admissible evidence in any legal proceeding against the company if the City attempted to recoup any grant funds provided under false pretenses.
PAYMENT METHOD
Grant payments will be made by check in the business’ name. The City anticipates that qualified, selected small businesses will be issued payments by the end of April 2022.