CIRCLEVILLE – The city of Circleville has released information on a small business emergency relief grant program that will help small business throughout the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently the city was a recipient of funds through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
Eligibility Criteria
Grants are available to City of Circleville businesses meeting each of the following requirements:
A. To be eligible for grant funds under the Program, City of Circleville businesses must meet the
following requirements as of March 23, 2020.
1. The business must operate for profit. Non-profit entities of any type are not eligible. (Businesses
that are for-profit generally file an IRS Form 1040 with a Schedule C, 1040-SR with a Schedule
C, 1065, 1120 or 1120-S.
2. The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation (both S and C), professional
association, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership.
3. The principal place of business, or headquarters, for the business must be located within the city
limits of Circleville.
4. The business must have been in operation for at least fifteen months prior to the March 23, 2020,
which at a minimum, may be evidenced by a filing with the Ohio Secretary of State or evidence of
operations prior to that time.
5. The business must not be permanently closed and must intend to continue its business operations
within the City following the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. To be eligible for a grant in an amount up to $5,000, the business must employ a minimum of
two (2) employees and a maximum of twenty-five (25) employees. Businesses that employ one
employee will be eligible for grants of up to $2,000. For the purposes of this criteria “employee”
shall mean the following:
An employee who regularly works at least 20 hours per week and is provided an IRS Form
W-2 at the end of each calendar year.
An independent contractor who works at least 20 hours per week and is provided an IRS
Form 1099 at the end of each year.
An individual who is the principal owner(s) of the business, sole proprietor, or partners,
whichever is applicable. The principal owner(s), sole proprietor or partners need not be
included in the number of employees if it would cause the business to exceed the
maximum number of individuals employed.
7. The business must not be in receivership or bankruptcy.
8. The business must be current on all City of Circleville municipal income tax obligations and
Pickaway County property tax obligations. All businesses will be required to provide the
businesses’ federal employer identification number, or, if the business does not have a federal
employer identification number, the social security number under which the business operates.
B. The businesses shall not be one of the following, regardless of its general edibility under subsection
(A) above:
1. Any business operating as an entertainment device arcade.
2. Any business operating a firearms retail establishment.
3. Any business operating primarily as a mobile food vendor.
4. Any business operating as a sexually oriented business.
5. Any business that primarily sells tobacco products, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, or vapor
products.
6. Any financial institution that makes loans or issues credit to the public, including, but not limited
to, banks, credit unions, payday lenders, or any other similar business.
Eligible Expenses
A. All expenses of the business that are related to the costs of business interruption caused by
mandated closures and COVID-19 compliance requirements that are deductible as ordinary and
necessary business expenses under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may be submitted for
reimbursement under the guidelines of the Program.
Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
1. Mortgage payments for the business’s principal place of business or such other business location in
the City of Circleville. Mortgage payments for businesses located in an owner’s primary residence
are not eligible.
2. Rent payments for the business’s principal place of business or such other business location in the
City of Circleville. Rent payments for businesses that are located in an owner’s primary residence
are not eligible.
3. Utility payments – electric, gas and trash removal – for the business’s principal place of business or
such other business location in the City of Circleville. Utility payments for businesses that are
located in an owner’s primary residence are not eligible. Water and Sewer payments to the City of
Circleville are not eligible.
4. Vehicle and equipment lease or rental payments for personal property incurred during the time of
mandated closure acquired on or prior to March 23, 2020.
For apply click here: https://www.ci.circleville.oh.us/DocumentCenter/View/1648/Small-Business-Grant-Application
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