MARCH 2023 STORM BUSINESS GRANT POLICY
FAQ: March 2023 Storms Disaster Assistance for Business
Q: What is the fund for?
A: The $2 million fund was made available to provide support to unincorporated Tulare County businesses who sustained damages to land and property, or had unanticipated expenses related to the March 2023 storms, and have no other means to recover their losses. This includes local businesses, farmers, and ranchers who do not qualify for funds through traditional channels for their storm damage and mitigation work.
Q: Who is administering the fund?
A: The Tulare County Resource Management Agency in coordination with the County Administrative Office and County Treasurer-Tax Collector/Auditor-Controller.
Q: Who is eligible for the funds?
A: For-profit businesses located in unincorporated Tulare County who did not receive FEMA assistance or insurance proceeds. They must be able to provide documentation of damages and unanticipated expenses.
Q: Do I qualify as a homeowner?
A: No. This fund is available to for-profit businesses in unincorporated Tulare County who did not receive FEMA assistance or insurance proceeds only.
Q: How much money can my business qualify for?
A: There is a maximum of $50,000 per recipient.
Q: What is a qualifying loss?
A: There are two qualifying loss categories:
- Land and/or Property Damage is physical damage, caused by the disaster, to property owned by the business when the damage is not covered by insurance.
- Unanticipated Expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Costs incurred to mitigate the effects of the disaster, including reinforcing berms, removing debris from waterways, or relocating assets to avoid flood damage. Mitigation refers to the prevention of flooding or damage to land or property caused by flooding, whether directly or indirectly.
- Costs incurred in the preservation of private existing essential infrastructure such as bridges, roads, or buildings due to the March 2023 storms.
Q: My business had a loss of business earnings and income due to the March storms. Do these losses qualify?
A: No. Loss of business earnings and income are not qualifying losses.
Q: What documentation will I need to make a claim?
A: For claims of land and/or property damage, you will need to demonstrate that the damages were reported to the County via the Property Damage Form or Agricultural Damage Reporting Form and attest to said damage or provide other supporting evidence of damage and attest to said damage. For claims of unanticipated expenses, you will need to produce invoices for costs incurred between March 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, for qualifying unanticipated expenses and attest to said expenses or provide other supporting evidence of unanticipated expenses and attest to said expenses. In addition, you will need to provide your business parcel APN information, W9, and IRS Business Activity Code.
- Impacted parcel(s) Assessor Parcel Number(s) (APNs)
- Submission of Property Damage Form or Agricultural Damage Reporting Form or attestation to damages via application check box
- Completed W9 Form
- Invoices for unanticipated costs incurred between March 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023
- Cover page from most recent business tax return showing the IRS Business Activity Code
Q: If I did not submit a Damage Form, is my business eligible?
A: Yes, you may be eligible by checking the final attestation box on the application.
Q: What will disqualify my business from receiving funds?
A: Unpaid or delinquent property taxes (existing payment plans in good standing are eligible), if your business has been approved or received disaster-related reimbursement from a federal or state program (e.g.: private insurance claim, etc.), not having proof of business, an incomplete application.
Q: How many grants is my business eligible for?
A: Grants are limited to one (1) award per business owner. A grant application will be denied if it is determined that applications from two or more businesses share the same majority owner or share common ownership such that the business interests and/or alleged damages suffered are deemed inseparable.
Q: How will I be notified if my application is incomplete or ineligible?
A: You will be notified via email of an incomplete application. You will need to resubmit a fully completed application to be considered for funding. Ineligible applications will be notified via mail.
Q: How are funds awarded?
A: Grant funds will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis until funds are exhausted. The administrator’s decision to approve or deny grant funding cannot be appealed.
Q: Is the grant taxable?
A: You will receive a 1099 form for monies awarded under this grant program.
Q: Where can I find the full policy document for the March 2023 Storms Disaster Assistance For Businesses?
A: Find the document at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/isi7gtkoiv3mvdbuw49a9/March-2023-Storm-Business-Grant-Policy.pdf?dl=0&rlkey=np4v4rjhlfeolfcqqnyau2l9s.
Q: Where can I apply for grant funds?
A: Apply now at https://tinyurl.com/4ku7hz8b.