HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson Small Business Relief and Recovery Grant Program is intended to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as responding to the needs of an adequate workforce to fully support our local Small Businesses. This grant focuses on the identified needs and impacts faced by local small businesses.
The grant funds are designed to help small businesses keep their doors open, protect local jobs threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, support community recovery, and increase the resiliency of local businesses in the Hutchinson community. Through the program, eligible small businesses operating in the City of Hutchinson have the opportunity to apply for cash assistance to help mitigate the impacts of revenue reductions associated with COVID-19, reimburse them for Covid-19 related expenses, and assist with employee retention and development.
This grant will also allow funding of new small business ventures based on a sound and complete business plan, located in the City of Hutchinson. The City anticipates awarding eligible small businesses with a onetime cash grant commensurate with impact to their business, based on justifiable need and business resiliency. Grants will be awarded up to $20,000.00 per eligible business.
To be eligible for grant funding, a small business must meet the following criteria:
- Business has a drop in revenue directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., a decline in gross receipts, comparable to measures used to assess eligibility for the Federal Paycheck Protection Program);
- Business must register with Sam.gov and obtain a UEI number, though they do not have to have the number by the application deadline, but will need it before receiving funds.
- Business has 25 or fewer employees (including the business owner/worker); employee count shall be based on number of employees as of 3/4/2021.
- Business is licensed to do business in the State of Kansas and in the City of Hutchinson
- Business had been in operation for at least three months in the City of Hutchinson prior to March 04, 2021
- Businesses facing pending litigation or legal action will include an explanation and any supporting documentation. A letter from their attorney explaining the situation and risk to the business is preferred. The city will evaluate these applications on a case-by-case basis.
- Business is not suspended or debarred from the use of federal funds
- Business is physically located in the City of Hutchinson
- Business is not a franchise - unless that franchise is not a subsidiary of a larger corporation and is able to document that it is not a subsidiary
- Business is not a chain (unless the majority of locations are located in the City of Hutchinson)
- Business is not restricted to patrons over the age of 18
- Businesses in the hardest hit sectors including: restaurant/dining, retail, hospitality, Travel & Tourism, and other service sector businesses will be prioritized for funding
- For any Small Business Startup Assistance, the proposed business must be in Hutchinson, and must have a complete business plan. Failure to provide a business plan will result in denial of funding in this category.
The deadline for the program is Friday, March 3 at 4:30 p.m.
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