ARPA Applications for Small Business, Not-For-Profits, Congregate Living Programs Now Available

Application packages for the American Recovery Program Act (ARPA) along with supporting reference federal guidance packages to state and local governments are available on the Jefferson County, Montana website http://www.jeffersoncounty-mt.gov.

This application applies to COVID-19 impacted small businesses located in Jefferson County, Montana, not for profits (NFPs) in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State Corporations office; assisted/congregate living facilities, and nursing home programs with addresses in Jefferson County.

For the purposes of this application, the following definitions apply:

A small business (SB) has a primary business address in Jefferson County and has 10 or fewer employees. Up to 25 grants of $2,500 will be awarded across the county to businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Negative impact includes reduced opportunities for work and income generation, employee layoffs, reduced working hours, increased costs associated with meeting business requirements imposed by COVID-19.

A not-for-profit (NFP) has a primary business address in Jefferson County and has filed required annual reports with the Montana Secretary of State Corporations office within the past 24 months. Negative COVID-19 impact includes reduced opportunities for service to constituencies and income generation; increased burden on the organization to provide services to constituents; and the need to provide remediation and COVID abatement support to constituents in a host of recovery areas such as health care, housing, or food insufficiency due to job losses or school closing, or impact of illness on family resources. Organizations that wish to apply are encouraged to complete and return the application package with supporting documentation. Applications will be reviewed and prioritized for funding based on local needs by the two Community Foundations located in Jefferson County.

Assisted and congregate living homes, nursing homes, and assisted living centers are those that provide primary residential support to vulnerable populations, are licensed by the state, and have experienced additional costs and burdens imposed on providing essential services in congregate settings. The negative impacts might include staffing recruitment and support, increased costs of safety tools or routines and acquisition of personal protective equipment, increased training, overtime, income reduction due to delayed admissions, cost of building modifications, and more. Grants will be awarded based on the number of persons regularly domiciled in the facility.

Completed applications may be returned via email, mail, or directed delivery (UPS, FedEx) in accordance with the application package information.

Questions about the application or for assistance in completing the application process should be directed to Terri Lewis at terri.lewis@jldcmt.com or call 931-267-3532.