FAQ
Q: Where do the funds for the Emergency Loans come from?
The Emergency Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) was initially funded with $1 million from the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, from the General Fund, which is funded in part through the millage rate (property tax). As loans made from the RLF are repaid by businesses, those repaid funds will be loaned again to other businesses, allowing the funds to revolve.
Q: Where do the funds for the Emergency Business Grants come from?
Federal funds for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) were sent to the state of Georgia, and a portion of those monies ($1.6 Million) are being distributed through the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACCUG) to the Joint Development Authority of the ACCUG and the City of Winterville, as emergency business grants.
Q: What types of businesses are eligible for emergency loans or grants?
These programs are both targeted to for profit or 501c(3) charitable organizations. Businesses or 501c(3) with 1-20 employees that are physically located in Athens-Clarke County and that are current on their ACC or City of Winterville occupational tax and have paid it for at least the past 2 years (years (2018 & 2019 or 2019 & 2020 ) are eligible. Exemptions for OTC exist for 501(c)3 organizations that do not conduct commercial activity. Businesses must agree to perform at least one Public Benefit Commitment. The loan program requires businesses or 501c(3) non profits to provide evidence of 25% revenue loss between 2nd quarter 2019 and 2020 .
Q: Can I apply for both a loan and a grant?
Absolutely. While most businesses may only want a grant, some businesses may need more cash than is available through the grant program. The application will allow you to apply for grant, loan or both grant and loan. The maximum combined award (loan and grant) per applicant ranges from $3,751 to $20,600, but the JDA may consider awarding up to $25,000 based on need. Award amounts will be based on eligibility criteria, public benefit commitment, community benefit, application scoring factors, and justification for exceptional need.
Q: How are loan amounts determined?
The JDA will evaluate applications from responsive and eligible applicants using the Public Benefit and Financial scoring factors in the Scoring Matrix. The scoring factors are designed to identify the most advantageous Applications as determined by the JDA. Subject to the availability of funding in each funding round, the JDA will make loans to the Applicants in each funding round whose Applications are determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the citizens of ACC and the City of Winterville, taking into consideration these scoring factors. Each Application will receive a total score that is the sum of points awarded under its Public Benefit and its Financial factors. The scoring factors shall be the basis on which the loan decisions are made. However, the JDA reserves the right to decline any or all Applications in the exercise of the best judgment of the JDA. Without limitation, the JDA may decline any Application whose approval it does not deem to be in the best interest of the citizens of ACC and Winterville, notwithstanding the Applicant’s score. Subject to the foregoing, the JDA intends to make the loans in each funding round to the Applicants receiving the highest total scores.
Q: How much would my loan payments be?
The first payment will be due on September 30, 2021. The estimated monthly payments range from $169 to $703. View our estimated loan payments page to see estimated monthly payments at $500 increments.
Q: How are the grant amounts determined?
The JDA will evaluate applications from responsive and eligible applicants using the Public Benefit and Occupation tax records. Any eligible business that applies, and agrees to at least one public benefit within the funding window will be considered until funds are depleted. Applications are evaluated on a first come first served basis. Eligible businesses will receive 15x their most recently filed occupation tax. Businesses that paid City of Winterville occupation tax will receive 15x the ACC tax rate that corresponds to their most recently declared business size.
Examples:
You declared 1 employee on your 2019 or 2020 occupation tax application for Athens Clarke County. Your business would receive 15x the occupation tax rate of $50. Your grant amount would be $750.00.
You declared 7-10 employees on your most 2019 or 2020 occupation tax application for Athens Clarke County. Your business would receive 15x the tax rate of $540. Your grant amount would be $8,100.00.
You declared 4 employees on your 2019 or 2020 occupation tax application for Winterville. Your business paid $240 but will receive 15x the corresponding tax rate that Athens Clarke County charges for 4 employees which is $327. Your grant amount would be $4905.00.
Q: How are grant amounts determined for professional firms?
If you report that you pay professional occupation tax fees, you will be asked to enter the number of professionals in your firm. We will cross reference the number of professionals to the number of employees to determine the occupation tax fees that serve as the basis of the grant amount.
Examples:
You declared 3 professionals on your 2019 or 2020 occupation tax application for Athens Clarke County. Your business would receive 15x the occupation tax rate for Athens Clarke County for a business with 3 employees which is $131. Your grant amount would be $1965.00.
Q: What is a Public Benefit Commitment, and why is it required in order to receive a loan or grant?
Businesses must make at least one public benefit commitment to our community to receive loan or grant funds. Loan applications that make more that one public benefit commitment will be prioritized. These public benefits further the mission of investment into and support of our community, and help build engagement among businesses and the community.
Q: Is my business eligible to receive emergency grants from both the JDA and the Northeast Georgia Business Alliance?
No, to ensure fair distribution of funds among businesses in Athens-Clarke County, each business is eligible to receive only 1 emergency grant, subject to the eligibility criteria and application consideration of each organization. Please review the eligibility criteria and application for each organization to determine which best suits your needs. The JDA and the Northeast Georgia Business Alliance will share information regarding potential grant applications and awardees with each other to ensure there is no duplication.
Q: How can grant and loan funds be used?
Grants and loans will provide working capital for small businesses to support payroll, rent, accounts payable and expenses related to shifts in operations in order to retain existing businesses, retain current employees or retain business viability for future re-employment.
Q: Do I have to be a resident of Athens-Clarke County to apply?
A: No, but your business must have a physical location in Athens-Clarke County, must be current on its ACC or City of Winterville occupational tax, and must have paid ACC or City of Winterville occupational tax for the past 2 years or more.
Q: What counts as having a physical location in Athens-Clarke County?
The address listed on your Athens-Clarke County or City of Winterville occupation tax application must be located within Athens-Clarke County.
Q: If I own more than one business located in Athens-Clarke County, and am current on occupational tax for each business, may I apply for a loan or grant for each business?
Yes. Each business must meet all of the required eligibility criteria, and you must submit a separate application for consideration on behalf of each separate business.
Q: When is the deadline to apply?
Businesses have until Monday, October 26, 2020 at 11:59p to submit their applications for grants or loans.
Q: After I submit my application, when will I be notified whether I will receive a loan? When will I receive the funds?
A: Due to the high volume of applications received, exact processing times are not currently available. However, applications are being processed as quickly as possible and notifications will be sent out as loan decisions and awards are determined. All notifications will be made by email.
Q: Who could help me with my application?
We understand loan and grant applications can be intimidating for small businesses. We have some community partners who are ready to assist you in applying. Please view our Business Support Partner list. Alternatively, if you don't feel you need direct assistance but want to verify you have the documents we are requesting, please review the sample documents if you aren't sure what we are asking you to submit.
Q: Can I change my application after it’s been submitted?
It is recommended that before completing and submitting the online form, respondents review answers carefully, as your work may not be saved if you leave the web page before submitting the application. You may also lose your work if your internet is disconnected, or as a result of other potential web browser issues. The JDA cannot accept changes to the application once it has been submitted, so please review it carefully.
Q: If I applied in a previous round, do I have to apply again or will my application roll-over?
No, applications do not roll over to later rounds. You must submit a new application for each round of funding in order to be considered for funding that round.
Q: When will the application portal close for submission?
Applications are being accepted in “rounds”. A round is open for a specified period of time and then closed. Dates for each round are posted on the JDA web site so check back frequently.
Q: How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant or loan?
The JDA will primarily utilize email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email updates to all applicants will come from JDA@accgov.com.
Finalists will be notified by email and must respond within 7 business days. The return of any awardee notification message or document as undeliverable may result in disqualification of the applicable awardee, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the grant or loan and the selection of a substitute from among all remaining eligible finalists.
Q: What is a Public Benefit Commitment, and why is it required in order to receive a loan or a grant?
In addition to repaying their Turntable Emergency Loan, businesses must make at least one public benefit commitment to our community. Businesses that are approved for a CARES emergency business grant must also make at least one public benefit commitment. These support the JDA’s mission of supporting investment into and support of our community, and help build engagement among businesses and the community.
Q: If I received a RLF Emergency Loan or a CARES Grant in a prior round, may I reapply for subsequent rounds?
Prior awardees (businesses) from earlier RLF Emergency Loan or CARES Grant rounds are ineligible for multiple awards and should not reapply. An individual who owns multiple businesses may apply for RLF Emergency loans or CARES Grants for each separate business. If one of your businesses was not funded in a prior round, you may reapply for subsequent rounds.
Q: When will the RLF Emergency Loan & CARES Grant portal close for submission?
Applications for both emergency loans and grants are being accepted in “rounds”. A round is open for a specified period of time and then closed. Dates for each round are posted on the JDA web site, so check back frequently.