City Of Sandy Springs Launches Small Business Relief Assistance Program

Sandy Springs businesses with 99 or fewer employees that experienced a loss of revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic could apply for financial assistance as part of the City of Sandy Springs Small Business Relief Assistance Program beginning December 9, 2020. The Sandy Springs City Council allocated $1.2 million to fund the COVID-19 relief program during its November 17, 2020 meeting.

Business owners must submit a completed application through the program's online portal at sandyspringsperimeterchamber.com/sbra-program to apply for assistance. Funding is available in three tiers based on the total number of employees reported on the business's 2020 Third Quarter IRS Form 941.

• Sole proprietor or independent contractor: up to $5,000
• 1 employee: up to $5,000
• 2–10 employees: up to $10,000
• 11–99 employees: up to $15,000

Businesses must have their principal location within Sandy Springs city limits. The company must have operated for a minimum of one year prior to March 1, 2020, and must demonstrate a reduction in sales or revenue due to COVID-19 through their 2019 and most recent year-to-date profit and loss statements. Sole proprietors and independent contractors are eligible. Publicly traded and corporate-owned franchises are not eligible. Details related to eligibility and program requirements are listed on the portal.

Funds may be used to reimburse certain costs related to business interruption due to COVID-19, including:

• Working capital
• Machinery and equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Health care benefits
• Contract labor
• Supplier payments
• Rent, lease, or mortgage payment for real property used for business purposes
• Rent, lease, or purchase payment for business property
• Utility payments for business properties
• Cost of critical business operations
• Personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, and equipment

Applicants must upload the following documents as part of their application:

• Copy of current 2020 City of Sandy Springs Business License
• Valid state-issued photo ID
• Certificate of Organization (or Articles of Incorporation) and 2020 Annual Registration from the Secretary of State's office
• IRS Form W-9 for all businesses, including sole proprietors and independent contractors
• IRS Form W-3 for 2020 for businesses with 2–99 employees
• IRS Form 941 for the first three quarters of 2020 for businesses with 2–99 employees
• Itemized summary of eligible reimbursable COVID-19 expenses
• Profit and loss statements for 2019 and year-to-date for 2020
• Completed Vendor Information Form and Applicant ACH/Wire Information Form (available on the portal)

Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and paid out as reimbursement after all contract requirements are met, including proper documentation of expenditures. Businesses receiving funds will be required to provide an accounting of how the funds are disbursed. Recipients must acknowledge that the City is entering these agreements to promote the continued economic development of the City and support job retention. Funds must be used within one year following the date of award disbursement.

The portal opened December 9, 2020 at 8 a.m. The deadline to apply was 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020.