Indiana’s Small Business Restart Grant program has itself been restarted.
It was originally launched in May with $31 million in federal funding from the CARES Act.
On Dec. 21, the program application period was extended to Jan. 22, 2021, according to a news release. Businesses are encouraged to get applications and supporting documentation in byare due by 5 PM that day.
In order to be eligible, a business must have been launched before Oct. 1, 2019, have fewer than 75 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2019 and less than $5 million in revenue.
Grants can be used tor cover business expenses such as payroll, insurance premiums, rent, mortgage payments, utilities and COVID-19 safety equipment.
Businesses can be reimbursed up to $10,000 a month for times during the March- December 2020 time period when their revenue dropped at least 30%.
The maximum grant is $50,000. Documentation such as 2019 tax returns, driver's license or other ID, utility bills, and copies of mortgage payments, rental, or lease agreements and other receipts are required.
“The program reimburses expenses only and not lost revenue,” the state said. “Expenses covered by another Cares Act supported program such as PPP, EIDL, or from a local government entity (CDBG) may not also be reimbursed by this grant.”
Businesses that were approved earlier for the grants but did not receive the maximum $50,000 are eligible to reapply.
The state has made numerous adjustments to the program since it was launched in June, “due to various reasons, and most notably to ensure more Hoosier small businesses are able to leverage this recovery funding,” the state said.
The maximum grant amount was increased from the previous $20,000 limit, the maximum number of employees was raised to 75 from 50 and payroll and insurance premiums were added as qualified expenses.
Also, as of As of Sept. 21, small businesses that had received funding through programs such as Paycheck Protection Program, were eligible to apply for the Restart Grant program.