From US Small Business Administration

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Supplemental documents for applicants
Frequently Asked Questions: The list of FAQs answers common questions about the SVOG program, defines terms, and provides additional guidance. Please refer to and carefully review the FAQs for guidance as you complete the SVOG application.

Application Checklist: The Application Checklist is provided to assist you with gathering and preparing the necessary materials (documentation, information, and technology) needed for the SVOG application. Some of these items will be required, and some are examples of items that can be submitted as supporting evidence. The Application Checklist lists materials needed by all applicants as well as applicant-specific information. The application will direct you as you go through the application portal for your specific applicant type.

Applicant User Guide: The Applicant User Guide is a tool for technical assistance to guide applicants through the SVOG application portal with step-by-step instructions. Screenshots in the User Guide are for illustration purposes only. Content in the application portal will appear differently for different applicants.

• FAQ regarding Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
• SVOG application checklist
• SVOG applicant user guide
• Cross-program eligibility on SBA COVID-19 relief options

SVOG-specific information about the IRS form 4506-T

• SVOG-specific version of 4506-T
• Webinar recording: 4506-T instructions
• "Record of No Return" instructions
• Instructions on how to complete the SVOG-specific 4506-T, including:

1. Example 4506-T
2. Visual instructions
3. Detailed, step-by-step instructions
4. Checklist

Who can apply
Eligible entities include:

• Live venue operators or promoters
• Theatrical producers
• Live performing arts organization operators
• Museum operators
• Motion picture theater operators (including owners)
• Talent representatives

Other requirements of note:

• Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
• Venue or promoter who received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020, will have the SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount

Grant amount
Grant amounts will reflect either of the following instances:

• For an eligible entity in operation on January 1, 2019, grants will be for an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
• For an eligible entity that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be for the average monthly gross earned revenue for each full month you were in operation during 2019 multiplied by six OR $10 million, whichever is less.

How to apply
Those who have suffered the greatest economic loss will be the first applications processed under the following schedule:
Note: On January 20, 2021, SBA updated the proposed plan for issuing grants during the first and second priority periods. To clarify, priority awardees will not need to satisfy the small employer set-aside. During the first 59 days of opening SVOG, SBA will reserve no less than $2 billion of program funding for grants to entities that have no more than 50 employees.

First priority
First 14 days of grant awards
Entities that suffered a 90% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second priority
Next 14 days of grant awards
Entities that suffered a 70% or greater gross revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Third priority
Beginning 28 days after first and second priority awards are made
Entities that suffered a 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.

Supplemental funding
Available after all Priority Periods have passed
Recipients of first, second, and third priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of April 1, 2021, or later).

Allowable use of funds
Funds may be used for specific expenses, which include:

• Payroll costs
• Rent payments
• Utility payments
• Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal)
• Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to February 15, 2020)
• Worker protection expenditures
• Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100,000 in annual compensation for an individual employee of an independent contractor)
• Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
• Administrative costs (including fees and licensing)
• State and local taxes and fees
• Operating leases in effect as of February 15, 2020
• Insurance payments
• Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds)

Grantees may not use award funds to:

•  Buy real estate
• Make payments on loans originated after February 15, 2020.
• Make investments or loans
• Make contributions or other payments to, or on behalf of, political parties, political committees, or candidates for election.
• Pay for any other use prohibited by the Administrator.

Grantee recordkeeping
Grantees will be required to maintain documentation demonstrating their compliance with the eligibility and other requirements of the SVOG program. They must retain employment records for four years following their receipt of a grant and retain all other records for three years.

Video tutorials

• SAM.gov entity registration training
• Webinar recording: 4506-T instructions

Get technical support with the SVOG portal
For Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance. The call center is open from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. ET, 7 days a week.

What to expect after you have applied:
-Post-application frequently asked questions
-SVOG eligibility matrix, including:

• Eligibility details cross- referenced with the statute
• Common reasons certain types of applicants are ineligible

How to clear a "Do Not Pay" hold on your application
Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay - Privacy Program, scroll down to “Data Correction Process,” find the row for the match source, and use the Contact Information on the corresponding row to clear any misinformation. The applicant will have 30 days to provide SBA with information that their name has been cleared from the match source. For more detail, see the Post-application FAQs.

Information for awardees

• FAQs for SVOG Awardees

Program reports and data

• SVOG program reports
• All SVOG data

​The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) and Champaign  County Commissioners are announcing a 2nd round of CARES Act funds to Champaign County small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Businesses could be awarded up to $10,000 if approved for the grant.  Businesses that have received approval from the 1st round of the CARES Act Grant administered by the CEP will not be eligible for the 2nd grant.

“Over 50 local small businesses applied for the 1st round of CARES Act funds and after discussion with the Champaign County Commissioners, we decided to offer another application period to assist other eligible businesses," CEP Economic Development Director Marcia Bailey said.

“Our local economy has been negatively impacted with the Coronavirus and our small businesses are some of the hardest hit,” said Bailey.  “These funds are an expense reimbursement grant and will help get the businesses through this difficult time."

To qualify for the grant program, businesses must:

• Be currently in operation, locally owned and physically located in Champaign County
• Have 50 or less employees as of January 2020
• Be current on all state, federal and local taxes
• Be in good standing with all applicable government regulations

Some examples of eligible reimbursable expenses include:

• Business mortgage or lease costs
• Business utilities, such as electric, gas, sewer, water, trash, business insurance etc.
• Materials and supplies related to interruption of your business caused by required closures
• Business costs related to compliance with Responsible RestartOhio.

Businesses that have received funding for expenses arising from the pandemic cannot submit the same expenses for reimbursement under the CARES Grant for Champaign County Small Businesses.

“We are so appreciative of our small businesses and although there is great uncertainty, Champaign County is hopeful that businesses receiving these grant funds will successfully persevere through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bailey added.

Applications and grant guidelines are available at www.champaignworks.com/CARESGrantChampaignCounty beginning November 24, 2020. Application deadline is December 1, 2020 at 5:00 pm.   Due to the short application period, we recommend you apply as soon as possible.  In order to assist you, please send your questions to info@cepohio.com.

​Businesses are also encouraged to visit https://businesshelp.ohio.gov for additional assistance.  Governor DeWine announced CARES Act funding through the State of Ohio for small business and others that have been impacted financially by the pandemic.

​Recently, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that the administration, in partnership with the General Assembly, developed a package of more than $419.5 million CARES Act funding to help Ohioans.
 
The package includes $125 million in CARES Act funding to provide grants to small businesses with no more than 25 employees. The grant funding will help businesses pay for a variety of expenses, including mortgage or rent payments; utility payments; salaries, wages, or compensation for employees and contractors; business supplies or equipment; and other costs.
 
Each business that meets the criteria and submits a complete application will be eligible for a grant of $10,000 in accordance with the following guidelines:

• $44 million of the grant funds will be set aside to ensure businesses in all 88 counties receive funding. 50 businesses will be funded in each county.
• As applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis, grants will be awarded first from each county’s allocation.
• When a county’s allocation is depleted, grants will be awarded from the remainder of funding on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of the business’ location in Ohio.
• If Development does not receive eligible applications sufficient to award all 50 grants to businesses in each county within the first 21 days after the application is opened, the remaining funds allocated to that county will be available to businesses regardless of their location in Ohio.

​Applications and grant guidelines are available here: 
www.champaignworks.com/CARESGrantChampaignCounty 

Application deadline is November 13, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Due to the short application period, we recommend you apply as soon as possible.  In order to assist you, please send your questions to info@cepohio.com.
​
Businesses are also encouraged to visit https://businesshelp.ohio.gov for additional assistance.  Governor DeWine announced CARES Act funding through the State of Ohio for small business and others that have been impacted financially by the pandemic

​Small businesses in Champaign County have a new source of financial assistance to help them reopen and recover from the pandemic -- the COVID-19 Champaign County Small Business Emergency Grant Fund.
 
The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) established the local grant program with the support of the Champaign County Board of Commissioners, which allocated a portion of local tax dollars generated for economic development through conveyance fees collected on Champaign County real estate sales.
 
“We are very thankful to the Champaign County Commissioners for funding this important initiative,” Kyle Hall, president of the CEP Board of Trustees, said. “The COVID-19 grant fund can really make a difference in our county. It will help small businesses bridge the gap in revenue during the shutdown and help them meet safety requirements for reopening, so that consumers will return to them with confidence.”
 
Through 5 p.m. May 15, qualifying local businesses may complete and submit a simple application for $500 to $2,500 in grant funds, at www.champaignworks.com/PayItForwardGrant.  Businesses may submit their applications directly from the website. But if they prefer, they may print out the application form, complete it, and drop it in the Champaign Economic Partnership mailbox (next to the CEP office door, inside the ATM lobby of Security National Bank, 3 Monument Square, Urbana), or email their completed, scanned application to the CEP at info@cepohio.com, by the 5 p.m. May 15 deadline.
 
“The commissioners want to support the health and vitality of the Champaign County business community during the pandemic,” said County Commissioner Steve Hess, who serves on the CEP Board of Trustees. “Through this grant fund we want to help our local businesses get through this crisis by supplementing the support they’re getting from the state and federal government.”
 
To be eligible for the grant program, commercial or retail businesses must have a storefront in Champaign County (cannot be home-based or nonprofit), have fewer than 50 employees, be current on local, state and federal obligations such as taxes and assessments, been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, if a franchise, have no more than two storefronts in the county and not be corporate owned.
 
CEP Director Marcia Bailey said the grants may be used for operating expenses such as rent, utilities, payroll, and the cost of supplies and modifications needed to comply with safety requirements for reopening. Grant money cannot be used for taxes or other assessments. Grant recipients will be required to report to the grant committee how they spent the money.
 
“Our grant committee desires to make this a self-perpetuating fund so that money will be available to support future economic sustainability in our community,” Bailey said. “Through the Pay It Forward provision of the program, we will encourage grant recipients to contribute financially to the Champaign County Small Business Grant Fund once their businesses are back on their feet – in an amount equal to or greater than their grant.”
 
She added, “Our small businesses are essential to the vitality of Champaign County. We want to do what we can to help get them back on track, to continue providing jobs and valuable products and services that make our county a better place to live and work.” 
 
For grant guidelines and the application, visit www.champaignworks.com/PayItForwardGrant. 

Governor DeWine announced beginning May 1, 2020, Ohio will begin a phased-in reopening of the state economy.

Below are some resources that the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce shared this week.

• The Ohio Department of Health released a graphic outlining PPE needed for healthcare workers based on exposure and patient symptoms, a COVID-19 Checklist for Safe Food Handling, COVID-19 Modeling 101, Information and Checklist on COVID-19 Antibody Test Kits, Checklist for Long-term Care Facilities, and a Director's Order to release protected health information to Ohio's first responders.
  
  
• To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund.  This fund is a key pillar of the U.S. Chamber’s Save Small Business Initiative. 
  
  The Fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States, including chambers of commerce. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between 3 and 20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community (Eligibility is by zip code-Every zip code in Champaign County qualifies except 43084). The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT.  To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund and to apply for a grant, visit savesmallbusiness.com.
  
  
• Path Forward, a new program from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy. When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests? Masks? Gloves? Who’s going to pay for all this? Each episode features conversations between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark and experts with practical recommendations for businesses of all sizes.
  
  Path Forward events take place at 3 p.m. EST every Monday and Thursday. Register Now. If you can’t attend, you’ll find a recording of each episode on the Foundation’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. 
  
  
• The Ohio Chamber of Commerce held a webinar on Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and its impact on employers. Watch the recording and find other webinars here.

The new rules have been clarified for self-employed individuals, self-proprietors and partnerships to be eligible to apply for the PPP Federal Loan. Click below to download and read the new Eligibility Criteria and Requirements.

Below are a trio of helpful PowerPoint presentations. The presentations are used by the Springfield Small Business Development Center, which serves Champaign County, to help figure out available loans and grants for small businesses.

Below is the information presented in a webinar by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on The Paycheck Protection Program and Other CARES Act Assistance for Businesses.