City Of Sandy Springs Launches Small Business Relief Assistance Program

Sandy Springs businesses with 99 or fewer employees that have experienced a loss of revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for financial assistance as part of the City of Sandy Springs Small Business Relief Assistance Program beginning December 9, 2020. The Sandy Springs City Council allocated $1.2M to fund the COVID Relief program during its November 17, 2020 meeting.

The business owner must submit a completed application through the Program's online portal  - sandyspringsperimeterchamber.com/sbra-program - to apply for assistance. Funding will be available in three different tiers, based on the total number of employees reported on the business' 2020 Third Quarter IRS Form 941.  

• Sole Proprietor or Independent Contractor: up to $5,000
• One employee: up to $5,000; 
• Two to 10 employees: up to $10,000; and 
• 11 to 99 employees: up to $15,000.

Businesses must have their principal location within Sandy Springs city limits. The company must have operated a minimum of one year prior to March 1, 2020, and must demonstrate a reduction in sales/revenue due to COVID-19 through their 2019 and most recent Year-to-Date Profit and Loss Statements. Sole proprietors and independent contractors are eligible. Publicly traded and corporate-owned franchises are not eligible. Details related to eligibility and requirements to participate in the program are listed on the portal. 

Funds may be used to reimburse certain costs related to business interruption due to COVID-19. Included are: 

• Working capital
• Machinery and equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Health care benefits
• Contract labor
• Supplier payments
• Rent, lease, or mortgage payment for real property used for business purposes
• Rent, lease, or purchase payment for business property
• Utility payments for business properties
• Cost of critical business operations
• Personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, and equipment

Applicants will need to upload the following documents as part of their application:

• Copy of current 2020 City of Sandy Springs Business License;
• Valid state issued photo ID;
• Certificate of Organization (or Articles of Incorporation) AND  2020 Annual Registration from the Secretary of State’s office;
• IRS Form W-9 for all businesses, including sole proprietors and independent contractors;
• IRS Form W-3 for 2020 for businesses with two to 99 employees;
• IRS Form 941 for the first three quarters of 2020 for businesses with two to 99 employees;
• Itemized summary of eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses;
• Profit and Loss statements for 2019 and Year-to-Date for 2020; and
• Completed Vendor Information Form and Applicant ACH/Wire Information Form (available on the portal).

Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be paid out as a reimbursement after all contract requirements are met, including proper documentation of the funds' expenditure. Businesses receiving funds will be required to provide an accounting of how the funds are dispersed. Recipients must acknowledge that the City is contracting these agreements to promote the continued economic development of the City and promote job retention, and funds must be used within one year following the date of the award disbursement.

The portal opens December 9, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.  The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020.  Program details are posted on the portal at sandyspringsperimeterchamber.com.