ARPA Small Business Assistance

ARPA Small Business Safety Net Grant Program

Application form

The Clinton ARPA Small Business Safety Net Program provides assistance to qualified local businesses to address the lingering economic impacts of COVID. The Clinton Board of Selectmen has made $150,000 in APRA funding available for this program. 

ARPA Safety Net assistance is available to eligible businesses that can either demonstrate unmet financial hardship as a result of COVID, or unusual expense related to public health requirements put in place during the COVID state of emergency. 

The ARPA Safety Net Program is structured in two tiers, based upon eligibility requirements and maximum award amounts:

Tier I Assistance:  Maximum award of $1,500. Business must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following adverse impacts:

• Any reduction of gross revenue/net profit over a 12-month period between March 10,  2020 and May 11, 2023. 
• Expense related to public health response, including temporary barriers, cleaning supplies, ventilation/ air purification equipment, and similar expenses.

Tier II Assistance:  Maximum award of $10,000. Requests for additional assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Businesses must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following adverse impacts:

• Loss of business, as demonstrated by either:
  • A reduction of either gross revenue or net profit of greater than 25% over a 12-month period between March 10, 2020 and May 11, 2023 or;
  • A cumulative, multi-year reduction of either gross revenue or net profit of at least 15% since March 10, 2020.
• Expense related to public health response, including temporary barriers, cleaning supplies, ventilation/ air purification equipment, and similar expenses

Eligible Businesses

• Businesses that are currently in operation, and that were in operation at a Clinton location during the Federal COVID State of Emergency (January 31, 2020- May 11, 2023) 
• Businesses that have been determined by the US Department of Treasury as having been disproportionally impacted by COVID will be prioritized for funding. These include but are not limited to:
  • Food and Nutrition (including Food Trucks)  
  • Retail  
  • Arts, Entertainment and Recreation 
  • Healthcare and Social Assistance 
  • Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality
  • Personal Services, including Barbershops and Cosmetology   
  • Janitorial Services (Cleaning Businesses)  
  • Child Day Care Services
  • Business to Business (B2B) establishments servicing affected industries 

Prior public assistance received by the business will be considered by the Town when reviewing Safety Net Program applications. Prior assistance includes, but is not limited to:

• Town of Clinton Resiliency Loans
• Town of Clinton Micro-enterprise Stabilization Assistance Fund (MSAF) grants
• Grants or loans from agencies of the Commonwealth, including Mass Growth Capital grants and loans
• Discover Clinton Lankton Family Grants 
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance in excess of committed payroll 
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grants 
• Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID loans or grants, including Restaurant Recovery Fund or Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program

Eligible Uses of Funds

• Normal business expenses
• Loss of sales (limited), inventory, or equipment
• Unusual expenses related to COVID-19 response

Application and Submittal

Online Applications must be received by the Town before 11:59pm on October 13, 2023. 

Submittal requirements:

• ARPA Small Business Safety Net program application
• IRS Form W-9
• Federal Tax returns to document baseline (pre-COVID) business operations and to verify subsequent loss of business
•  Documentation of loss. Financial statements may include a Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, Schedule C or Schedule 1120-S, or other commonly used statement. If you need assistance in compiling information, please contact the Community & Economic Development Office at cedo@clintonma.gov
• Documentation of expenses related to public health response to COVID. Documentation should include invoices and proof of payment. Because it is assumed that certain businesses were obligated to implement public health measures during COVID, you may submit a request for up to $350 without documentation provided that:
  • Your business was open during COVID and serves customers or clients at a place of business, or;
  • Your business employs at least one other employee in addition to the Owner.

Please note: if you are applying for reimbursement of COVID-related expenses only, you are not required to submit tax returns or financial data with your application.

Additional application information may be required. All information submitted shall be strictly confidential, and will be used only for the purpose of application review.

Review and Award

Applications will be reviewed by the Community & Economic Development Office. Review criteria include:

• Magnitude of impact upon business operations.
• Demonstration that the business is forward-looking; that it is planning for recovery and post-COVID-19 operations.
• Demonstration that the business is in good standing relative to permits, licenses, municipal liens, and taxes; and that it is not subject to any outstanding judgements.

Based upon a review of application materials or the availability of funds, the Town reserves the right to make partial grants. In no instance shall the grant exceed the applicant’s demonstrated losses.

DISCLAIMER:  The submittal of an application is not a commitment by the Town of Clinton to offer or provide ARPA Safety Net Assistance.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information, contact Philip Duffy, Community & Economic Development Director at pduffy@clintonma.gov or by telephone at (978)365-4113.