Time expiring for small businesses to get COVID-19 expenses reimbursed

Local News Micro: Taney County is making the second phase of applications available to request Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) funds. In this second phase of funding, local governments, non-profits, and small businesses will be eligible to apply for reimbursement for the period of March 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020. Small businesses may apply for direct costs and expenses incurred due to COVID, such as cleaning, disinfecting, signage, and personal protective equipment, but excluding economic loss or business interruption.

Applications can be found on the Taney County website at taneycounty.org. Applications for the second round of funding are due on October 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Questions regarding the second round application process may be directed to Melissa Duckworth at 417-546-7233 or by email melissa.duckworth@taneycountymo.gov.

For further information, please read the Source Section below and or contact Melissa Duckworth at 417-546-7233 or by email melissa.duckworth@taneycountymo.gov.

Source Section

For Release, Friday, October 09, 2020

Press Release

TANEY COUNTY ANNOUNCES APPLICATION DATES FOR PHASE 2 OF CARES ACT FUNDING

Taney County is making a second phase of applications available to request CARES Act funds. In this second phase of funding, local governments, non-profits, and small businesses will be eligible to submit an application for reimbursement for the period of March 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Small businesses may apply for direct costs and expenses incurred due to COVID, such as cleaning, disinfecting, signage, and personal protective equipment, but excluding economic loss or business interruption.

Applications for the second phase of funding must be based on request for reimbursement of eligible expenses or costs already incurred from March 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 and must satisfy the requirements of the CARES Act and Treasury guidance. Applicants will be required to submit sufficient supporting documentation such as quotes, bids, invoices, receipts, and proof of payment. Supporting documentation must show that the applicant has paid for the goods or services for which reimbursement is sought. An expenditure detail tracking spreadsheet will also be made available and is required to be submitted, ensuring accurate information is maintained for future auditing purposes.

Applications can be found on the Taney County website at taneycounty.org. Applications for the second round of funding are due on October 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The County will then review and evaluate the applications for completeness, compliance with the CARES Act requirements and Treasury guidance, and will then make award decisions. Award recipients will be required to enter into a written agreement with the County prior to disbursement of awarded funds.

Background:

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund and appropriated $150 billon to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Under the CARES Act, the funds are to be used to make payments for specified uses based on the requirements of the CARES Act and United States Department of Treasury guidance. Generally, the CARES Act provides that payments may only be used to cover costs that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 for a government entity; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.

Expenditures must be used for actions taken to respond to the public health emergency. Funds may not be used to fill shortfalls in government revenue to cover expenditures that would not otherwise qualify under the CARES Act. Expenditures using CARES Act fund payments must be reasonably necessary. For further information, please refer to the latest guidance issued by the United States Department of Treasury.

In phase I, Taney County awarded and distributed $1.589 million in CARES Act funding.

Questions regarding the second round application process may be directed to Melissa Duckworth at 417-546-7233 or by email melissa.duckworth@taneycountymo.gov.

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