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Microenterprise Assistance Program to Provide Financial Aid to Qualifying Small Businesses

Starting July 6, 2022, Housing and Community Services is launching the Microenterprise Assistance Program to provide financial aid to qualifying small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Published on: Jun 9, 2022

Osceola County, Housing and Community Services is launching the Microenterprise Assistance Program to provide financial aid to qualifying small businesses affected by COVID-19. The program will provide a one time $5,000 grant to qualified, for-profit businesses located within unincorporated Osceola County (Tax District 300) by using CDBG-CV funds to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus. This program will operate on a first-come, first-ready basis.

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Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must possess a business license and must be current on all County taxes, assessments and fees
  • Applicants must have no outstanding Safety Code Enforcement violations and free of violations within the last 12 months prior the application date
  • Business must meet HUD’s microenterprise definition: a pro-profit business with 5 employees or less; including prospective owner(s)
  • The applicant must own at least 51% of the said business and income qualify (low to moderate income household - view attached flyer for income levels)
  • The business will be required to submit a Duns & Bradstreet number and must be registered in the System for Award Management (sam.gov)
  • Evidence that the business was not failing prior to the pandemic

Eligible Activities:

  • Provide COVID resilience measure (i.e., touchless appliances in restrooms; reconfiguration of furniture/flooring/spacing; updating air quality system)
  • Salaries of current employees
  • Outstanding rent/mortgage for commercial space only
  • Outstanding utility expenses for commercial space only

Ineligible Activities:

  • Palm-reading Services
  • General government expenses and political activities
  • Religious activities
  • Purchase of construction equipment
  • Purchase of equipment, fixtures, motor vehicles, furnishing or other personal property that is not a permanent structure fixture

Documentation Requirements

Applicant’s Household Verifications:

  • Proof of Income for all household members (i.e., paystubs)
  • Proof of Assets (i.e., 6 months of bank statements)
  • Copy of driver license or government-issued ID
  • 2020 and 2021 Personal Tax Returns

Business Verifications:

  • Profit and Loss Statements
  • Cash Flow Statements
  • Payroll Registry
  • Business Tax Returns (2019, 2020 & 2021)
  • Business Bank Statements ( 6 months)
  • Commercial Lease
  • Commercial Insurance Policy

Disclosure: Osceola County Housing and Community Services reserves the right to request additional verification to properly income qualify applicants. Applicants must be able to prove that CDBG-CV grant funds were used for the approved use.