Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone has announced Monmouth County CARES, the Coronavirus Economic Assistance Grant Program for small businesses and nonprofits.
“The freeholders have worked alongside chambers of commerce and mayors to deliver assistance to our small businesses and I am excited to announce that the Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant Program will be ready to launch at 8 a.m. Aug. 3 at monmouthcountycares.com,” Arnone said.
“I encourage businesses to spend the next few days reviewing their COVID-19 costs and related paperwork so they are prepared when the application process opens on Aug. 3,” he said.
According to a press release from the county, in order to qualify for a Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Physically located in Monmouth County since Jan. 1, 2019 or earlier;
• Negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;
• $5 million or less in annual gross revenue;
• 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including the owner, as of March 1, 2020.
Nonprofit organizations registered with the Internal Revenue Service, including local and regional chambers of commerce, may also apply for this program, according to the press release.
Banking, educational, governmental and medical service providers are not eligible for the grant program at this time.
Applicants should check the website for specific eligibility requirements at monmouthcountycares.com
Before the online application process opens on Aug. 3, applicants should be prepared to submit information electronically through the application portal regarding the costs their business incurred due to COVID-19, such as: tax identification number or employee identification number; legal business name; business contact information; tax returns for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (if filed); business banking information such as routing and checking account numbers; and an itemized list of eligible costs for reimbursement.
Funding cannot be used for reimbursements already made under other state and federal assistance programs, according to the press release.
“Upon receipt of the application and required documents, each application will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility on a first come, first served basis,” Arnone said.
“Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete and will be given time from the incomplete notification to resubmit missing or incomplete information in order to hold their place in the submission process,” he said.
For further information, questions or assistance, visit monmouthcountycares.com
