Program Guidelines
Small business owners may be awarded up to $5,000 through the City of York 3E Grant Program supported by ARPA funds. This grant program is intended to increase the operating capacity of small businesses owned by minorities, women, and people with disabilities through education and job training, empowerment and professional development, and enhancements to business operations – 3E’s. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility:
The City’s ARPA grant programs are designed to support residents, organizations, programs, and activities that benefit City of York residents and community. Per the Final Rule, the U.S. Treasury recognizes small businesses located within a Qualified Census Tract (QCT) area as disproportionately impacted and eligible to receive funding for this program. Qualifying expenses must be related to the following: Education (classes, certificates, training), Empowerment (retreats, workshops, coaching), and Enhancement (new software, products, equipment) for business owners and/or their employees to promote business growth and stability.
The City of York is required by law to obtain the following information from all grant program applicants. This information is used by the City to determine the eligibility of the applicant under US Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) guidelines. You must meet all eligibility criteria and submit ALL the required documentation to be considered for the grant. The information you provide on this form will be kept confidential. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
See below for additional eligibility requirements and a list of required application documents:
- Business must be majority owned by a minority, woman, or person with a disability.
- Earn $500,000 or less in annual gross revenues.
- Must be registered, licensed, and in good standing on all City taxes and obligations.
- Business must be physically located within a QCT in the City of York.
- No owners have been convicted of financial crimes within the past three years.
- Eligible costs must occur within a year of receiving grant funds.
Required application documents:
- Fully completed 3E grant application submitted by the deadline.
- Proof of address to confirm location within the City of York (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, etc.)
- Proof of completed New Business Start Up registration with the City of York
- Proof of York Adams Tax Bureau Business Privilege e.g., Mercantile Tax License
- One fiscal year bank statement for the organization
- Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) or SSN if Sole Proprietor
- Business bank account Information or personal account if Sole Proprietor
- Current copy of IRS W-9 Tax Form
- Copy of 2022 Individual Tax Returns
- Copy of 2022 Schedule C Profit and Loss statements
- M/W/DBE certifications (if available)
- Articles of Incorporation (if available)
- Complete itemized breakdown of all anticipated costs, as well as any matching grants or business-supplied funds that will be used. Note: The City of York reserves the right to require proof of purchase before awarding grant program funds.
- Completed Statement of Goals and Outcomes explaining the nature of the training, class, or equipment desired with detail on how your staff and/or business operations will benefit from it.
- Self-Certification Form (completed within the application)
- City Agreement (if awarded grant funds)
- Monitoring & Compliance (if awarded grant funds)
**Please note that photos of documents are not a suitable form of submission. You must provide scanned copies of the required documents for consideration.
Ineligible Costs
- Contributions to rainy day funds, financial reserves, or similar funds.
- The purchase of an already existing business.
- Payment of interest or principal on outstanding debt instruments.
- Expenses reimbursed or eligible for reimbursement through any other contract or agreement with the City, including but not limited to City Small Business Assistance previously administered or CARES Act funding.
- Not for use on enhancements to physical space or bills for business operations.
Preferential Consideration
While all applications will be reviewed at the same standard, priority will be given to those that fulfill all the eligibility requirements AND achieve the following:
- Community Collaboration: Demonstrated commitment to community growth by splitting training costs, shared enrollment in training courses (as allowed), utilizing York city based training or other 3E related opportunities. This partnership must be clearly outlined in the application packet including acknowledgement of plans from the partner organization(s).
Note: Priority is given to applicants who have not previously received awards in the 3E program, but re-application is permitted.
