Fulton County CARES

Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, 2020 Enacted H.R. 748, 116 Enacted H.R. 748, (the “CARES Act”), the U.S. Department of the Treasury is authorized to transfer funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to cover costs of the Commonwealth that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of the date of enactment of this section for the State or government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.

Under Article I-C entitled Emergency COVID-19 Response, Subarticle D, Section 130-C entitled County Block Grant of the act of May 29, 2020 amending the Fiscal Code (the “Act”), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is authorized to distribute funding counties for the following purposes:

1. Offsetting the cost of direct county response, planning and outreach efforts related to COVID-19.
2. Small Business Grant Programs to support businesses with fewer than 100 employees and to support businesses and other entities that are primarily engaged in the tourism industry.
3. Grant programs to support the following entities for costs related to assisting businesses during the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency: Certified Economic Development Organizations, Local Development Districts, Industrial Resource Center, Small Business Development Centers, and Economic Development Corporations.
4. Assistance to cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, or townships located within eligible counties for response and planning efforts to COVID-19.
5. Behavioral Health & Substance use disorder treatment services.
6. Nonprofit assistance programs for entities that are an exempt organization under section 501(C)(3) or 501(C)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
7. Broadband internet deployment with priority given to unserved or underserved areas.

Fulton County is fortunate to have been awarded $1,312,188. The Board of Commissioners has three overarching priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis:

1. Protecting the health, welfare and safety of County citizens in the 13 municipalities (Allocation of $100,000)
2. Maintaining County services in a safe and secure manner (Allocation of $175,000)
3. The reopening and support of the local economy so that individuals, families and businesses can once again thrive. (Allocation of $1,012,188)

The remaining $25,000 will be used to cover administrative costs incurred by the County to ensure Federal and State compliance with applicable regulations.

Record Keeping and Transparency

The County must ensure and be able to demonstrate compliance with funding requirements. Therefore, it will require internal departments, elected offices, and external agencies receiving funds to provide documentation on the expenditure of these funds. Such documentation may include, but not be limited to, receipts, invoices, and reports that provide a brief explanation of the necessity of the expenditure(s) in relation to addressing COVID-19.

As previously stated, all expenditures will be tracked by the Fulton County Business Office, who will issue regular reports (not less than monthly). These reports will be provided to the County Commissioners for review and/or approval as necessary, and at a minimum, include a detailed summary of expenses.

Grant Opportunities

As of July 21, 2020, the Fulton County Commissioners have allocated $100,000 to assist 1) local municipalities, and $1,012,188 to assist 2) nonprofit organizations and local businesses. Grant applications, required certifications and other guidance is provided below.

After reviewing the applications received from the first round, the Fulton County Commissioners are opening a second round for applications.

How do I apply for a Grant?

• We strongly encourage applicants to submit their application and required documentation to CountyRelief@co.fulton.pa.us.
• Paper applications can be printed form the website or picked up at the Chief Clerk’s office 116 W. Market Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233.
• Applications can be submitted starting at 11:59 p.m. on September 8, 2020 and will be accepted through 3:00 pm on September 25, 2020.
• Any applications received after 3:00 pm on September 25, 2020 will be placed on a waiting list and will be processed on a first-com, first-serve basis and are dependent on available funds.
• There is no application fee.
• Applications will be reviewed and scored by Wessel & Company in the Fulton County Business Office using objective scoring criteria to recommend which grants are funded. The review process will take into consideration the following factors:
  • Negative impacts from COVID-19, including declines in income.
  • Total number of full-time and or part-time employees that will be impacted.
  • Businesses or organizations that have applied and accepted/received or are still waiting to receive COVID-related grants or loans (i.e. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
  • Length of time that business has maintained operations.
• County anticipates processing applications and awarding grants on a timely basis (2-4 weeks) after the application window closes. Applications are NOT first come, first serve.
• Due to anticipated demand, not all applications may be funded or funded up to the maximum level.

Eligibility Requirements

• All local municipalities within Fulton County are eligible to apply
• Nonprofit Organizations
  • Must be a registered 501-c-3 or 501-c-19.
  • Total revenue under $5,000,000.
• For-Profit Businesses
  • Annual gross revenue under $5,000,000.
  • Businesses primary operations and headquarters must be physically located in Fulton County regardless of owner’s residence or location of business incorporation.
  • Passive businesses are not eligible. These include rental properties or any business in which the owner does not actively participate.
  • Franchises are ineligible
  • Applicants must have less than 100 total employees (full and part-time) to be considered.
  • Applicant businesses must have been formed and in operation no later than 12/31/2018.

How can the funds be used?

Funds can be used to cover working capital costs necessary to maintaining a business during the COVID-19 disruption. The County will require applicants to outline what the award will be used for. Examples of eligible uses include:

• Payroll
• Rent
• Mortgage
• Supplies
• Other operating expenses

Additional Resources:

• COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant Contract
• For Municipalities:
  • Local Municipality Grant Application
  • FAQ Act 24 of 2020 for Municipalities
• For Nonprofits and small businesses
  • Non-Governmental Business Interruption Grant Application
  • FAQ Act 24 of 2020 for Nonprofits and small businesses
  • DCED Expenditures Supplemental for Application
• County CARES DCED FAQ 8-18-20

Questions?

Please email your questions with your contact information to CountyRelief@co.fulton.pa.us.