SBBGtranslations
Translated Versions of Boost Grant Eligibility, FAQ and Application Questions
A full copy of the Eligibility Criteria, Frequently Asked Questions and Application Questions are included below. You can view a translated version by selecting your preferred language using the translate option on this website. In addition, there are links to translated materials in:
Kauai Small Business Boost Grant – Eligibility Criteria
1. Eligible entities that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 may receive a one-time grant of $7,500 (once awarded a grant, an entity may not reapply).
2. Eligible Entity Types
a. “Small businesses,” 501(c)(3)’s, and 501(c)(19)’s that have:
i. Less than 20 employees; and
ii. who have been in operation on Kauai for at least one year, as shown by their general excise tax license, prior to their application; and
iii. who intend to remain in business on Kauai amidst the new COVID-19 landscape; and
iv. who meet at least one of the following:
Have at least one employee.
Hire at least one independent contractor.
Operate from a commercial location (P.O. Boxes or “Care Of” addresses do not satisfy this requirement) or contribute to a lease of such a commercial location to operate their business.
b. Eligible entities may be required to provide proof of registration for doing business in the State of Hawaii and County of Kauai via a current Hawaii Compliance certificate, GET reconciliation document, or DCCA registration.
c. Businesses deemed illegal by any governmental agency are not eligible for grants, in the discretion of the Credit Union.
3. Entities must certify that they were negatively impacted financially by COVID-19 and/or that they need financial assistance to adapt. Examples:
a. Reduced sales or suspended operations.
b. Increased costs related to COVID-19 prevention measures.
c. Disrupted supply network leading to shortage of critical inventory or materials.
4. Entities must certify that funds will go toward expenses related to COVID-19, or reinvestments necessary because of COVID-19, and maintain expense records, subject to audit.
a. Examples of expenses include Rent, Utilities, Payroll, COVID-19 Safety Precautions, or re-investment into the business in light of the new COVID-19 landscape.
b. Examples of re-investment into the entity in light of the new COVID-19 landscape:
i. Technology
ii. Education
iii. New business plan and execution
iv. New market strategy to re-focus on local market
v. Other expenses related to generating revenue or curbing expenses
5. Entities must certify that they will not use funds for ineligible expenses. Examples of ineligible expenses:
a. Taxes, fees, or fines due to any county, state, or federal government.
b. Damages covered by insurance.
c. Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any federal program, such as PPP, etc.
d. Reimbursement to donors for donated items or services.
e. Workforce bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime.
f. Severance pay.
g. Legal settlements.
Kauai Small Business Boost Grant – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I submit an application?
A: Applications will be submitted via an online portal. A link to the application portal is shared on the Kauai Forward website here: https://kauaiforward.com/businessgrant/.
Q: Do I need to be a member of one of the credit unions to apply?
A: No, you do not need to be a member of the credit union. Further, being a member of a credit union does not confer any advantage or disadvantage.
Q: How do I know if my business is eligible?
A: To be eligible for the grant, your business must meet the following criteria:
“Small businesses,” 501(c)(3)’s, and 501(c)(19)’s that have:
- Less than 20 employees; and
- who have been in operation on Kauai for at least one year, as shown by their general excise tax license, prior to their application; and
- who intend to remain in business on Kauai amidst the new COVID-19 landscape; and
- who meet at least one of the following:
- Have at least one employee.
- Hire at least one independent contractor.
- Operate from a commercial location (P.O. Boxes or “Care Of” addresses do not satisfy this requirement) or contribute to a lease of such a commercial location to operate their business.
You can review the full eligibility criteria here.
Q: What documentation will I need to prepare before applying?
A: Applicants will be asked to provide a digital copy of their non-expired State of Hawaii Driver’s License or State ID card, as well as a digital copy of the businesses’ completed W-9 form (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf). Failure to provide this documentation may disqualify the applicant from the application process.
Q: How can I check the status of my application?
A: The portal will give you a confirmation when you submit your application. Applicants will receive either Notices of Award or Notices of Non-selection upon completion of review of the application. Unfortunately we cannot update individual applicants as to the status of their applications during the process.
Q: If I own more than one business, can I apply for the grant for each separate business?
A: Yes, to the extent that each separate business has its own GET # and its own eligible expenses. However, duplication is not allowed. In other words, the same salary could not be paid from separate businesses.
Q: How do I find my State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) number?
A: Businesses may locate their GET number on their General Excise Tax License, copies of filed State of Hawaii G45 or G49 Forms, or by using the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation Tax License Search website here: https://tax.hawaii.gov/. Click on Search Tax Licenses to access the site.
Q: How will I receive the funds?
A: If you are awarded a grant, one of the participating local credit unions will send you a Notice of Award by email and then will mail you a letter and certified check.
Q: Do all businesses receive the same amount of funding from this grant?
A: All businesses who are awarded the grant will receive $7,500.
Q: What can the grant funds be used for?
A: Entities must certify that funds will go toward expenses related to COVID-19, or reinvestments necessary because of COVID-19, and maintain expense records, subject to audit.
- Examples of expenses include: Rent, Utilities, Payroll, COVID-19 Safety Precautions, or re-investment into the business in light of the new COVID-19 landscape.
- Examples of re-investment into the entity in light of the new COVID-19 landscape include: Technology, Education, New business plan and execution, New market strategy to re-focus on local market, Other expenses related to generating revenue or curbing expenses
Q: Are the grant funds subject to federal and state income taxes?
A: Yes. Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Service: “The receipt of a government grant by a business generally is not excluded from the business’s gross income under the Code and therefore is taxable.” Businesses and non-profits that are awarded a grant will be issued a 1099.
Q: I received funding from the Paycheck Protection Program for my business. Is my business eligible for this grant?
A: Yes, your business may still be eligible depending on the extent of your COVID-19 expenses. However, the small business boost grant funds may not be used for expenses that have been or will be reimbursed, or to duplicate benefits offered, under any federal program, such as PPP, SBA, County or State CARES programs etc.
Q: Why might some applicants not receive a grant?
A: Funding is limited, and it is unlikely that all applicants will receive a grant. Additionally, applications that do not conform to the eligibility criteria, will be rejected.
Q: If my business is not awarded a grant, who can I contact with questions?
A: There will not be a process for businesses to dispute the grant decisions.
Q: Will the grant awards be public record?
A: Yes. We will post a list of awardees’ organization names and business addresses on Kauaiforward.com
Kauai Small Business Boost Grant – Application Questions
KAUAI SMALL BUSINESS BOOST PROGRAM
BUSINESS INFORMATION
All fields with * are required.
Business Name*
Name of Business entity according to GET license
Where is Business located? *
- Kauai
- Oahu
- Maui
- Molokai
- Lanai
- Big Island
- Niihau
- Other
Do you meet one of the following requirements? *
Have one or more employees
Number of Employees *
Both full-time and part-time
Have one or more independent contractors
Number of Independent Contract Workers *
Operate from a commercial location
Contribute to a lease of a commercial location to operate your business
None of these
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please provide all documents as missing documents could disqualify you from receiving the grant. Please upload into the link provided only when all documents are available for upload. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
- Copy of valid and unexpired Hawaii driver’s license OR State of Hawaii ID
- Completed Federal Form W-9. You can find the form here https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf
Upload completed W-9 Form and Picture ID below *
Federal Tax ID Number *
Hawaii GET Number *
Enter the entire Hawaii GET number (example: GE:987-654-3275-01)
Which Classification is the business applying? *
- For-profit
- Non-profit 501(c)(3)
- Non-profit 501(c)(19)
Business Entity Type *
- Corporation/C
- Corporation/S
- Corporation
- Individual/Sole Proprietor
- LLC
- Non-profit Org
- Non-profit Corp
- Organization or Club
Industry *
- Accommodation and Food Service
- Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Construction
- Educational Services
- Finance and Insurance
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Information
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Manufacturing
- Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Public Administration
- Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
- Retail Trade
- Transportation and Warehousing
- Utilities
- Wholesale Trade
- Other
Business Established Date *
MMDDYYYY
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Business Address Line 1 *
- Business Address Line 2
- Business City *
- Business State *
- Business Zip Code *
- Business Email *
- Re-enter Business Email *
- Please re-enter your Businesses’ email
- Business Phone *
MAILING ADDRESS
This is the address your grant will be mailed to, if awarded. Returned mail may result in disqualification of the award.
Is Mailing Address Different than Business Address *
- No
- Yes
If yes:
- Mailing Address Line 1 *
- Mailing Address Line 2
- Mailing Address City *
- Mailing Address State *
- Mailing Address Zip Code *
MAJORITY OWNER’S OR CO-OWNER’S INFORMATION
- Owner’s Address Line 1 *
- Owner’s Address Line 2
- Owner’s City *
- Owner’s State *
- Owner’s Zip Code *
- Owner’s Email *
- Re-enter Owner’s email *
- Please re-enter Owner’s email
- Owner’s Best Contact Phone Number *
OPERATIONS AND FINANCES
Business Description *
Detailed description of business (product and services provided)
Revenue for 2019 (S) *
Business Impact Statement *
Detailed statement as to how your business was affected by the COVID 19 pandemic (a simple statement that revenues declined is not sufficient)
Please select one of the following to determine the need for this grant *
- Reduction in Income
- Reduction in customers
- Operate a non-essential business and had to close
- Incurred expenses in order to operate safely amidst COVID-19
- Had to implement business changes to adapt
- Other: please explain
- Please elaborate the other need for this grant *
Are you open for business as of today *
Yes
How had you modified business operations from pre-covid times? *
- No
- What is preventing you from being open? *
- Do you plan to re-open? *
- Yes
- When do you plan to re-open and what do you need to do so? *
- No
- Share with us your plans to remain in business. Please elaborate. *
How do you plan to use the funds awarded? *
Is this business your Primary, Secondary or Other source of income? *
- Primary
- Secondary
- Other
Please explain how this business is your Other source of income *
CONTACT INFORMATION
Best person to contact regarding this application
Is the owner the best contact person for this application? *
Yes, please contact the owner
No, please contact the person below
- Contact’s Full Name *
- Contact’s Email *
- Re-enter Contact’s Email *
- Contact’s Phone *
Required Response *
The Entity shall account for expenditures and maintain expense records, which shall be subject to audit. The Entity will not use Grant funds for ineligible expenses as specified in the program guidelines. The Entity is only entitled to only one (1) $7,500 grant under the KAUAI SMALL BUSINESS BOOST PROGRAM and will reimburse and return any excess funds. The Entity agrees to reimburse and return any funds deemed to have been used for an improper or ineligible purpose. Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to: Taxes, fees, or fines due to any county, state, or federal government; damages covered by insurance; expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any federal program, such as PPP, etc; reimbursement to donors for donated items or services; workforce bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime; severance pay; legal settlements.
Yes, I agree
No, I do not agree
Required Response *
The Grant funds are funded by a Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) Federal Subaward obtained by the County of Kauai from the State of Hawaii. The Coronavirus Relief Fund Hawaii State-County Handbook, dated June 3, 2020 (the “Handbook” governs the use of funds and is incorporated herein by this reference. The Entity agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of the Handbook, to the extent that such terms and conditions apply to the Entity. The Handbook is available from the County of Kauai and at the following: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showdocument?id=302189.
Yes, I agree
No, I do not agree
Required Response *
All applications are deemed to be public records and the County of Kauai may disclose and publicize the names and addresses of Grant fund recipients.
Yes, I agree
No, I do not agree
Required Response *
Grant fund recipients are subject to the Federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and the Entity agrees to comply with the requirements and restrictions of said Acts.
Yes, I agree
No, I do not agree
Required Response *
Applicant agrees that, if their business or non-profit is cited by the County of Kauai or the State of Hawaii for violating any emergency order or proclamation related to COVID-19, they will reimburse the County of Kauai the full amount of the any award granted as a result of this application.
Yes, I agree
No, I do not agree
Required Response:
By submitting this application, the Applicant and business owner(s): (a) warrant and represent that all of the information and documents provided are true, complete and accurate; (b) the business in not involved in any illegal activity (c) agree that if the Applicant is determined to be ineligible for any reason, any funds received under the County of Kauai Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund shall be returned promptly; (d) hereby hold harmless, indemnify, and waive all claims against the Processor, its agents and employees, related to any action the Credit Union takes with respect to this application; (e) agree that any dispute regarding this application will be determined by the County of Kauai, whose decision will be final. Federal law provides that whoever uses any false document or makes any materially false or fraudulent statement in a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States Government is subject to fine or imprisoned not more than five years or both. 18 USC § 1001.
- Yes, I agree
- No, I do not agree
Additional Comments
Please enter your Full Name Below (Signature) *
By entering your Full Name below, you are signing this application and all contents of this application to be true, complete and accurate.
Would you like to learn more about an upcoming traditional Kauai Small Business Advertising campaign?
- Yes, please send me details
- No, thank you
