COVID-19 Grant for Small Businesses in Sebastian Can Receive $5,000

The City of Sebastian has officially announced grants of $5,000.00 to eligible small businesses located within the City limits to assist in addressing their immediate cash flow needs as a result of demonstrated economic injury due to the COVID-19 Virus. Each business can only receive one grant.

Applications will be reviewed to confirm eligibility using the parameters listed below:

1. Must be a for-profit, privately-held small independently owned and operated business currently maintaining a commercial physical location within the City limits of Sebastian.
2. Must not have any current unpaid code enforcement liens and must not be operating in violation of any state, federal or local laws. Submitting any false, fictitious, or fraudulent information or the omission of any material fact may subject the applicant to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties for fraud, false statements, false claims, or otherwise. (U.S. Code Title 18, Section 1001 and Title 31, Sections 3729-3730 and 3801-3812).
3. Must have been mandated by the government to reduce or eliminate services or have a demonstrated reduction in sales revenues of 25% or more due to the loss of business income related to COVID-19. Documentation may consist of (1.) certified Point of Sale or QuickBooks reports, (2.) certified income statements, or (3.) sales tax returns, which demonstrate a comparison of the monthly sales revenues from March 1st through July 31st 2020 versus the same months the previous year.
4. Must be a small business that, as of March 1st, 2020 had no more than 20 full time and/or part-time employees or independent contractual workers in addition to the owner. Documentation may consist of (1.) the 2019 IRS Form W-3, (2.) the IRS Form 941 or (3.) the summary filed with IRS of 1099s issued to individual independent contractual workers for that time period.
5. Must not have received a small business assistance grant from Indian River County.
6. Must submit a copy of the primary applicant(s) current driver’s license(s), a copy of the applicant (s) current passport or other photographic identification.
7. Must submit a copy of a completed and signed IRS Form W-9.
8. Must submit completed COVID-19 Small Business Grant Application no later than September 30th, 2020.
9. Must submit COVID-19 Employee Grant Application(s) at the same time as submitting the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Application. Employers are encouraged to inform eligible employees of their intention to apply and the possibility that employees may also be eligible.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted electronically via the City of Sebastian Website, so the City may record the order in which they are received. Do not forget to include any Applications for the COVID-19 Employee Grants, as described on the next page. Eligible and fully completed applications will be promptly processed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Payments for those approved will be made via checks mailed to the applicant’s business mailing address or the employee’s mailing address.

Eligible Employees or Independent Contractual Workers:

The City has also decided that certain employees or independent contractual workers, excluding the owner(s) of the small businesses determined eligible for the above COVID-19 Small Business Grant may be awarded grants of $500.00:

1. Must reside within the City limits.
2. Must have worked an average of 20 hours or more per week prior to March 1st, 2020
3. Must have been involuntarily terminated, furloughed, or had their salary, commissions, tips, or contractual payments from the eligible Small Business Grant Applicant reduced by at least 25% during the period March 1st through July 31st, 2020 as compared to the same months in 2019. Must provide a statement signed by the Worker, and the Employer certifying the employee had at least a 25% loss of income.
4. Preference will be given to those demonstrating the severest economic need. Include evidence of experiencing a hardship due to being past due on rent, utilities, or other essential expenses (Past-due notices or letters from landlord or utility company).
5. Must submit a copy of the individual’s current driver’s license, current passport, or other photographic identification.
6. Must submit a copy of a completed and signed IRS Form W-9.

Submit the attached COVID-19 Employee Grant Application to the Employer in advance of the Employer’s submittal of the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Application. All applications must be submitted by the Employer at the same time.

Businesses in the City limits of Sebastian can begin the application process on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. by going to Covid-19 Grant.