Small Business Grant (SBG)

Longview small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for a new grant program that will provide zero-interest forgivable loans of up to $30,000.

The United States Congress enacted into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist in alleviating the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and the act provided supplemental funds for use by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The program funds will be known as CDBG-CV and funds awarded will assist low-to-moderate qualified businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Longview COVID-19 Response and Recovery Stabilization Forgivable Loan Program (RRSFLP) will provide short-term loan relief to businesses and organizations within the corporate limits of Longview that are seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. The City of Longview recognizes the need to support small businesses and organizations that are struggling to access capital and keep their doors open in response to COVID-19. The RRSFLP loans of up to $30,000 will be made at zero interest in an effort to mitigate losses experienced by our small business community and organizations. This amount may be adjusted to provide immediate assistance to as many small businesses and organizations as possible.

The City of Longview defines a small business/organizations as a business with fifty (50) employees or less. Eligible applicants must demonstrate significant revenue decreases due to the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, priority will be given to the most vulnerable business owners and organizations.

Requirements

Applications will be accepted by qualified for-profit, privately held small businesses and eligible nonprofits that have been in business for at least a year (as of April 1, 2020) and located within the corporate limits of the City of Longview, Texas All qualified applicants must illustrate the economic injury suffered as a result of COVID-19. The loan is for a period of two (2) years with 50% of the original loan forgiven annually at the anniversary of the origination of the loan. Businesses must remain in good standing throughout the term of the loan in order to receive forgiveness. Due to limited funding, only one application is allowed per a business owner. Approved applicants must comply with all federal certifications and contractual agreements.

Eligible Applicants

Businesses with 50 or less employees at the time of loan submission;
Businesses with a physical establishment within the corporate limits of the City of Longview;
Businesses with documented or exhibited losses due to COVID-19; and
Applicants must agree to rehire or retain low/mod jobs and provide a job summary and verification report after RRSFLP loan funds have been exhausted, the report must indicate how the loan funds were spent and include supporting documentation (i.e. payroll records, etc.) and job retention data. Failure to submit these reports will result in borrower having to pay the loan back in full and forgiveness revoked.
Applicants cannot be delinquent on local taxes or federal reporting prior to COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants must not be the subject of an existing lien.
Applicants must not be in default of any grant, loan agreements, leases, or financing agreements with creditors prior to COVID-19 pandemic.

Restrictions (Ineligible Applicants)

The following types of business are not eligible:

Businesses Exclusively Residential
Franchises
Hotels or Motels
Liquor Stores
National/Regional Chain Businesses
Financial/Lending Institutions
Private Membership or Fraternal Organizations/Businesses
Business owners that have defaulted on loans for other federally-sponsored programs
Adult Oriented Businesses
Businesses owned in part or fully by City of Longview staff, administration, or leadership

Submittal Instructions

The application period opens November 2022 and will remain open until all funds have been disbursed. Use the Community Development Division's online portal to register an account and then apply for the forgivable loan program. Please be aware that the application requires several attachments. Please prepare the following required documents. If you have all of your documents, the application will not take very long to complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All submitted materials will be used in determining the organization’s eligibility for funding.

Proof of Employer ID Number
DUNS Number (Register here if your business does not have one yet)
Most Recent Year’s Business or Personal Federal Tax Returns for All Owner(s);
2020 Income Statement Showing Monthly or Quarterly Sales (Feel free to use format that you normally use – if you use an accounting software, just upload file from that software);
Nonprofit: most recent financial audit
2021 Earnings Statement, Year-to-Date (YTD), By Month (Feel free to use format that you normally use – if you use an accounting software, just upload file from that software); and
Current payroll documentation;
Weekly/Monthly payroll documentation prior COVID Pandemic, (i.e. January and February Payroll);
Complete Exhibit 1: Job Retention Table
If you use an accrual accounting system, on a separate sheet, please subtract any revenue that has not been received on as to date. A list of accounts receivable must be provided.