The City of Longmont has launched the Boost Longmont Business Grant in an effort to encourage the recovery, resilience, and long-term viability of local small businesses and non-profits contributing to a strong local economy. Competitive grants of up to $15,000 will be available to eligible businesses and non-profits to help cover expenses and lost revenues associated with the variety of impacts resulting from the pandemic.

Any Longmont business or non-profit with 25 or fewer employees (or full time equivalents – FTEs) that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply. See the program website for a full list of eligibility criteria.

Yes! Non-profits that have been impact by the COVID-19 pandemic may apply.

No. Business must operate from a brick-and-mortar premises. Home based businesses may be eligible for individual assistance, but are not eligible for Boost Longmont Business Grant funding.

The application window will be open from October 20, 2020, through November 1, 2020. Applications submitted during this time will be considered.

Grant funding is provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Coronavirus Relief Fund (CVRF). The City has allocated approximately $1.1 million for this program, which will be administered by the City of Longmont.

Grants provided will be up to $15,000 for each eligible businesses and non-profits.

Grantees can use grant funding to cover any eligible expense incurred between March 10, 2020, and December 31, 2020 – all funds must be spent by December 31, 2020.

Eligible expenses may include:

• commercial lease/mortgage payments
• utility payments
• payroll and employee benefits
• debt payments
• inventory, equipment and services necessary to reopen/resume operations
• and other working capital expenses.

All expenses must be deemed necessary to relieve impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure business or non-profit viability.

The City of Longmont will administer this program.

This is a competitive grant program. Applicants will be vetted to ensure eligibility requirements are met. A review committee will score applications to determine funding priority.

All eligibility criteria must be met. Additionally, the review committee will use the following criteria to prioritize grant awards:

• Minority-, Woman-, Veteran, or Disabled person-owned business
• Business/non-profit is locally owned, operated, or headquartered in Longmont (not a franchise or chain).
• Business owner’s home address is in Longmont
• Business was substantially impacted by COVID-19 (ordered closed, ordered to limit capacity, etc.)
• Business/non-profit aids in COVID-19 Recovery (dependent care, medical/mental health/wellness, transportation, etc.)
• Business/non-profit serves to help other local businesses continue to operate (compounding economic benefit)
• Business/non-profit demonstrates continued viability by showing how they plan to recover and grow in the coming months and year
• Business/non-profit has not previously received local COVID-19 Recovery grant (e.g. Longmont Community Foundation, Longmont Downtown Development Authority, Longmont Chamber of Commerce, etc.).

Successful applicants will be required to submit additional documentation prior to receiving grant funds. Grantees will be notified and will have approximately one week to provide the following documentation:

• Documents to support hardship
• Receipts for eligible expenses from March 10, 2020 – December 31, 2020 (showing what grant is being used for)
• Duplication of Benefits Certification (certification of other sources and uses of assistance)
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure
• Documentation that business/non-profit is registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State
• Signed award letter certifying business is meeting terms of the program
• W-9
• Other documentation required by the City

Documentation supporting hardship can include:

• Bank statements
• Payroll reports
• Point of Sale Revenue Reports
• Reports from Accounting Software
• Tax Filings
• Copies of Financial Ledgers
• Expense Receipts
• Proof of Payment for Expenses
• Receipts from impacted period (from March 2020 on) and receipts from same period in 2018 and 2019
• Documentation of cancelled orders/jobs
• Other documents the City deems acceptable for this purpose

Yes. The City acknowledges that there is a tremendous need for assistance. Businesses that have been awarded funding through other grants or loan programs are still eligible to apply for the Boost Longmont Business Grant; however, businesses that have not received funding under another program will be prioritized.

Because CVRF funds are federal funds, the City of Longmont must ensure that it prevents the “duplication of benefits.”

In addition to meeting core eligibility requirements, the review committee will score applications and prioritize businesses based on prioritization criteria. This includes:

• Minority-, Woman-, Veteran, or Disabled person-owned business
• Business/non-profit is locally owned, operated, or headquartered in Longmont (not a franchise or chain).
• Business owner’s home address is in Longmont
• Business was substantially impacted by COVID-19 (ordered closed, ordered to limit capacity, etc.)
• Business/non-profit aids in COVID-19 Recovery (dependent care, medical/mental health/wellness, transportation, etc.)
• Business/non-profit serves to help other local businesses continue to operate (compounding economic benefit)
• Business/non-profit demonstrates continued viability by showing how they plan to recover and grow in the coming months and year
• Business/non-profit has not previously received local COVID-19 Recovery grant (e.g. Longmont Community Foundation, Longmont Downtown Development Authority, Longmont Chamber of Commerce, etc.)

The City is administering the Boost Longmont Business Grant. To assist with the evaluation and prioritization of applications, the City is being assisted by representatives from partner organizations including:

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP)
• Innovate Longmont
• E for All
• Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA)