Windsor Recovery Grants: Applications Open!

The Town of Windsor has established a Small Business and Nonprofit Recovery Grant Program to provide limited, one-time direct financial assistance to eligible Windsor small businesses and nonprofits that have been adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Eligible businesses and nonprofits may apply for grants of up to $10,000. The Program is funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and administered by the Town of Windsor’s Economic Development Department.

The town has allocated a total of $500,000 for this program, $200,000 of which is reserved for small businesses and nonprofits that have not previously received any federal or state recovery funds.

An online application workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 2 p.m. Click here to register! Chamber members can call the Chamber hotline for 24/7 assistance at 860-688-5165 or email arpa@windsorcc.org.

When will applications be available? How long will it take for applications to be approved and funds to be disbursed?

The Town will receive online applications starting Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 9 a.m. The application period will end Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Award notices will go out starting January 4, 2022, and disbursements are planned to begin on or about January 15, 2022.

What businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply?

To be eligible, your business or nonprofit must:

Be located in Windsor.
Have been in operation as of January 1, 2019.
As of November 1, 2021, have a maximum of twenty-five (25) full or full-time equivalent employees (FTE) (One FTE totals 40 hours per week. This can be one employee or any combination of part-time employees whose weekly hours total 40.
Be in good standing with the Connecticut Secretary of the State in terms of business/nonprofit filings.
Be in good standing and current on its federal, state and local tax obligations and have no outstanding liens or judgements. If COVID 19 impacted the business' ability to pay local taxes then that should be indicated in the application.
Real estate projects including short-term rental operators are not eligible.
Town employees and elected and appointed officials are not eligible to participate in this program.

A nonprofit entity is defined as an entity with a Windsor address organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit (nonprofit status may be demonstrated by supplying the organizations CT-990 form or 501(c) incorporation documents.).

Are sole proprietorships eligible? What about franchises?

Yes! Sole proprietors and locally-owned franchises are eligible to apply.

How much can I apply for?

Eligible businesses and nonprofits may apply for grants of up to $10,000. Not all businesses or nonprofits approved for participation will receive the maximum amount. If awarded, the amount will be based upon the documented need of the business or nonprofit. Businesses and nonprofits must demonstrate economic hardship and demonstrate that the operating funds are necessary to sustain the business.

How Do I Apply?

Click here to access the application, starting 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 16.

Information required for the application includes:

Documentation, such as payroll tax filings, supporting the number of employees before the pandemic and at the time of the application.
Listing of all federal or state assistance applied for and/or received (i.e., Payroll Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, CT CARES Grant, etc.)
If applicable, dates of closure due to the pandemic.
The applicant must provide a written statement clearly identifying the negative financial impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency to the organization or business, and how the grant request addresses the identified need or negative impact.

How can I demonstrate economic hardship as a result of the public health emergency?

Here are some examples of negative impacts from the COVID-19 health emergency:

Loss of revenue during government required shutdowns
Rent, utilities and other carrying costs paid during periods of closure
Supply chain issues – lack of or delay in supplies which drove up costs
Increased costs of products (like food, lumber)
Extra cleaning expenses and costs of PPE (personal protective equipment)
Physical improvement requirements – barriers and other social distancing measures
Extra advertising, e-commerce costs, job training expenses
Costs of other mitigation tactics (provision of outside dining areas, etc.)

Applicants must be able to demonstrate either a decrease in revenue AND/OR an increase in COVID-19 related expenses up to the amount of your request not to exceed $10,000. In the application narrative, applicants should be as specific as possible in demonstrating the financial impact by including cost estimates or information from actual receipts.

What is the approval process?
All applications will be reviewed for compliance with program requirements. The Town may seek additional information or backup if there are gaps in the information provided or there are questions about your application.

$200,000 of the grant pool will be reserved for small businesses and nonprofits that have not previously received any federal or state recovery funds. If the number of applications that have not previously received federal or state funding exceeds $200,000 then the Town will implement a lottery system for those applicants. Businesses or nonprofits not chosen through this initial lottery, would be entered into a separate lottery along with other program applicants for the
remaining program funds.

If selected to receive a grant, the recipient must demonstrate an existing relationship with banking, accounting and/or financial advisors or agree to participate in a free business consultation with one of the following technical assistance providers within two months of grant award: CT Small Business Development Center; HEDCO; SCORE Hartford Chapter; or the Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center at the University of Hartford.

How do I learn more?

An online application workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 2 p.m. Click here to register! Chamber members can call the Chamber hotline for 24/7 assistance at 860-688-5165.

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