Windham Region Chamber of Commerce

Grants & Funding

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ARTS GRANTS

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is accepting applications for its CARES Act Emergency Relief Grants. These grants are for Connecticut non-profit arts organizations that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 3, 2020 by 11:59 pm. No grant will be less than $1,500 or more than $3,000. Due to limited funds and anticipated high volume of applications, grantees will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible applicants with attention to geographic distribution.
Funds may be used for:
·     Salary support, full or partial, for positions that are critical to an organization’s mission
·     Fees for artists and/or contractual personnel to maintain or expand the period during which such persons would be engaged
·     Facility / occupancy costs, such as rent and utilities
·     Costs directly associated with an organization’s ability to continue operations now and in the future
The FY21 Supporting Arts grant program is open and accepting applications.
Supporting Arts grants provide unrestricted funding to help support Connecticut non-profit arts organizations and municipal arts departments as they pursue their missions. This type of grant is flexible and gives the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most needed. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending upon the size of the organization. For eligibility and how to apply, visit www.ct.gov/arts
The following is the anticipated schedule for the Artist Fellowship Program:
Release of Program Guidelines and Application: June 2020
Application Deadline: September 2020
Award Notification: Late November 2020
Funding Period: January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
The following is the anticipated schedule for the ARTE-accesible Program:
Release of Program Guidelines and Application: June 2020
Application Deadline: September 2020
Award Notification: Late November 2020
Funding Period: January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021

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NEED PPE?

Are you looking for masks, gloves and cleaning supplies? Here is some sources:
Surgical masks for free, from Congressman Courtney: email info@windhamchamber.com with # employees.
Masks-surgical and KN95, cleaning supplies, sanitizer, gloves: Staples in Mansfield. Email Caitlin.smith@staples.com to reserve items as soon as they are shipped.
COVID floor decals, banner etc: email rkjohnson372@comcast.net
Disinfecting your office: Renee’s Cleaning Service, Renee Kraus, 860-377-6401
Spectrum Business – Free Business Recovery offer:
To help during the Business Recovery phase, Spectrum is pleased to announce the offer of one free month of service with free installation for any NEW customer, this includes any of the following services: 200m internet, voice, and video.
Please call Chamber member, Spectrum Account Executive Linda Goodbrand at 774-261-5809 to learn more about this offer.

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WBDC PPP FORGIVENESS CALCULATION TOOL

WBDC has created a PPP Forgiveness Calculation Tool to help business owners that received funds to track expenses and maximize PPP loan forgiveness. WBDC Business Advisors Sherry Konwerski and Beth Scarborough are assisting clients in using this tool. Download Tool and request counseling appointment by e-mailing info@ctwbdc.org
Gearing up to re-open your business? Make sure to check out the latest FAQ’s from WBDC volunteer & HR Expert, Deb Gogliettini. Read More

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REMINDERS ABOUT PPP FORGIVENESS

Allowable Costs
The SBA requires that payroll costs be documented as follows:
  • Bank accounts or third-party payroll service reports documenting cash compensation paid to employees
  • Tax forms (or equivalent third-party payroll service provider reports) for the periods that overlap with the covered period or alternative payroll covered period.
  • Payment receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements documenting employer contributions to employee health insurance and retirement plans.
Other costs allowed:
  1. Rent includes “business rent or lease payments pursuant to lease agreements for real or personal property in force between February 15, 2020.”
  2. Personal property items such as copiers, servers, vehicles, and other leased items can be included with forgivable non-payroll costs.
  3. The mortgage interest payment definition includes loans for real property and personal property, with interest paid on loans for equipment, vehicles, and other items eligible for forgiveness.
  4. Personal property items such as copiers, servers, vehicles, and other leased items can be included with forgivable non-payroll costs.
  5. Utility expenses are also allowed, and include “electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone, or internet access, for which service began before February 15, 2020.”
Documentation
  1. The SBA requires that borrowers document rent, mortgage interest, and utility costs, to prove the existence of an obligation or service prior to February 15, 2020 and evidence of payments during the eight-week post-loan period.
  2. Lender amortization schedule, payment receipts, and statements from February 2020 and during the eight-week covered period are acceptable for documenting mortgage interest payments.
  3. PPP lenders are required to act on loan forgiveness applications within 60 days.
  4. For rent or lease payments, the SBA requires a copy of the lease agreement and copies of account statements or cancelled checks.
  5. Utility payments must be documented with invoices or account statements from February 2020.
  6. Borrowers are required to submit PPP forgiveness applications to their lender, with the lender then required to act on the application within 60 days.
To date:
Almost 73,000 Connecticut small businesses—representing 79% of the state’s small business payrolls were approved for a total of $10.82 billion in PPP loans. If you have not applied there is still money in the Payroll Protection Program.

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“SKILLUP CT” PROGRAM FOR THE UNEMPLOYED WORKER

This program grants access to 5,000 on-line courses and allows jobseekers to upgrade their skills while remaining in the safety of their own homes. These courses include subjects such as information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, digital literacy, and more. It also includes training tracks with over 100 industry certifications (in both English and Spanish). To register, please visit https://ewib.metrixlearning.com/ and click on yellow box entitled “SIGN UP FOR METRIX LEARNING”. Metrix Learning Content Coaches are available for assistance through the American Job Centers.