ABOUT THE FUND
For all businesses and nonprofits that have incurred employee and customer health and safety expenses that were a direct impact of COVID-19
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Timing: Opened August 4, 2020; Closed on September 15, 2020
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Funding: Up to $500,000; Cannot apply more than one time per program
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Eligible Entities: Wyoming businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes
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Eligible time frame: March 1, 2020 - application date
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Total Funding Available: $40 million in total.
BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY
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No limitation on number of employees
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Established on or before March 13, 2020
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For-profit, privately or publicly owned businesses
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Headquartered in Wyoming or principal operations in Wyoming and at least 60 percent of their employees employed in Wyoming or 60 percent of the business payroll paid to individuals living in Wyoming.
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Any government-owned entity, including tribal government-owned business, is not eligible.
NOTE: Eligible businesses that received dollars from the Interruption Fund and the Relief Fund can apply for the Mitigation Fund. These businesses must certify new or increased expenses due to the public health orders.
NONPROFIT ELIGIBILITY
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Any nonprofit entity registered with the Internal Revenue Service
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Established on or before March 13, 2020
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Headquartered in Wyoming or principal operations in Wyoming and at least 60 percent of their employees employed in Wyoming or 60 percent of the business payroll paid to individuals living in Wyoming.
NOTE: Eligible nonprofits that received dollars from the Relief Fund can apply for the Mitigation Fund. These nonprofits must certify new or increased expenses due to the public health orders.
Eligible businesses and nonprofits can apply for both the Relief Fund and the Mitigation Fund but applicants cannot apply more than one time per fund. Businesses that received a stipend from the Interruption Fund can also apply for these next funds. Recipients are not required to pay back the funds; however, all funds received through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program are considered taxable income.
ALLOWABLE EXPENSES
Applicants need to show certification of actual COVID-related expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and the application date for the health and safety of Wyoming employees and to comply with public health guidelines.
Examples of eligible expenses include:
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Cleaning products
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Sanitizers
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Personal Protection Equipment
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Other safety equipment
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High-efficiency air filters
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Expenses related to training to implement necessary and required protocols to continue operating the business
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Expenses related to hiring and paying employees necessary to implement protocols associated with screening, safety, security, cleaning, and sanitizing business premises
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Gloves
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Installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards
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Face shields & face masks
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Respiratory protection, when appropriate
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Announcements, signage, and visual cues to promote social distancing
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Thermometers for temperature checks
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Expenses to promote telework and other social distancing practices that were required for an employee to perform the essential function of their job from their remote work location
Examples of ineligible expenses include
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Legal fees
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Travel expenses
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Mortgage or rent expense
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Lost wages or salaries
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Undocumented items
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Any expenses that have not actually incurred
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Expenses reimbursed from another funding source
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If approved for a fund, how will I receive my money?
Monies will be disbursed either via electronic funds transfer or by paper check from the Wyoming State Auditor’s Office. Checks will be mailed to the mailing address listed in the application. Businesses/nonprofits set up in the state Vendor Management System will receive an electronic funds transfer; businesses/nonprofits not in the system will receive a check mailed to the mailing address listed in their application.
I’m a nonprofit. Can I apply?
Any nonprofit entity registered with the Internal Revenue Service of any size can apply for the Mitigation Fund.
How do I know my application was submitted?
After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirming the successful submission and a unique application number.
I received funding from the Interruption Fund. Can I apply for this too?
Yes. Eligible businesses that received dollars from the Interruption Fund can apply for the Mitigation Fund. These businesses must certify new or increased revenue loss and expenses due to the public health orders between March 13, 2020 and their Mitigation Fund application date.
Are government entities eligible?
Governmental or government-owned entities are not eligible to apply for the Relief and Mitigation Funds. This includes tribal government-owned businesses.
Who is considered a full-time employee?
Someone who works 30 hours or more per week
What does “headquartered in Wyoming” mean?
Eligible entities must have more than 50 percent of their primary work located in Wyoming and at least 60 percent of their employees employed in Wyoming or 60 percent of the business payroll paid to individuals living in Wyoming.
What does “principle operations in Wyoming” mean?
Have more than 50 percent of your primary work located in Wyoming and at least 60 percent of your employees employed in Wyoming or 60 percent of the business payroll paid to individuals living in Wyoming.
How do I apply?
Applications must be completed and submitted online at wyobizrelief.org.
Is there a paper application?
No, applications must be completed and submitted online at wyobizrelief.org.
What is the application review process?
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Each application will be assigned a unique identifying number.
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Wyoming Business Council staff reviews to ensure accuracy, eligibility, and completeness.
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Secretary of State’s Office reviews for accuracy and to insure the entity is in good standing.
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The Wyoming State Auditor’s Office performs a final check to ensure accuracy for IRS reporting requirements.
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Monies will be expended on a first come, first served basis.
How long will it take to know if my application is approved and to receive funding?
Timing to receive funding after approval depends on a number of factors; however, most applicants should receive their funds within 21 business days from their review date.
If my application is denied, is there an appeal process?
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After three (3) business days the application will no longer be eligible for funding.
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Denied applicants may appeal with a typed summary of business’ activities, history, industry, etc. plus one or more of the following documentation:
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Tax Return forms filed with the IRS; (B) Schedule C of IRS form 1040, Schedule F of IRS form 1040, any other form necessary to establish a business’ existence
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Documentation of EIN from IRS
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Failure to submit the aforementioned documentation within three (3) business days will result in denial of the application.
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Any eligible business found using multiple methods (EIN and SSN) to apply for numerous awards may be denied any or all applications at the Business Council’s sole discretion.
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The approval or denial determination of the Business Council is final.
Will I be audited if I receive funds?
Who is eligible to apply for the Mitigation Fund?
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A business independently owned and operated that was established on or before the date of enactment of any applicable public health order issued by the state or any local government of Wyoming (March 31, 2020) that required closures of businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
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Headquartered in Wyoming and has its principal operations located in Wyoming
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Must have incurred actual expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or as a result of business interruptions due to a required closure or public health order
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Any nonprofit entity registered with the Internal Revenue Service may apply
What can the funds be used for?
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Cleaning products
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Sanitizers
-
Personal Protection Equipment
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Other safety equipment
-
High-efficiency air filters
-
Expenses related to training to implement necessary and required protocols to continue operating the business
-
Expenses related to hiring and paying employees necessary to implement protocols associated with screening, safety, security, cleaning, and sanitizing business premises
-
Gloves
-
Installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards
-
Face shields & face masks
-
Respiratory protection, when appropriate
-
Announcements, signage, and visual cues to promote social distancing
-
Thermometers for temperature checks
-
Expenses to promote telework and other social distancing practices that were required for an employee to perform the essential function of their job from their remote work location
-
Legal fees
-
Travel expenses
-
Mortgage or rent expense
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Lost wages or salaries
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Undocumented items
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Any expenses that have not actually incurred
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Expenses reimbursed from another funding source
Can I submit an application for anticipated expenses in the future?
How much can I apply for?
Can I apply multiple times?
How long do I have to apply?
What documents do I need to complete the application?
How do I know if I need to provide my EIN or my SSN?
If the applicant is applying as a business entity, they need to provide the EIN (Employer Identification Number) that exactly matches the business' legal name on IRS registration documents.
If I claimed other federal funding in my Interruption Fund application, do I need to include it in my application for the Mitigation Fund?