Governor Northam Commits Additional $20 Million to Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund
Governor Ralph Northam today allocated an additional $20 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the Rebuild VA economic recovery fund to meet demand for the program and fulfill pending grant applications. This new funding will bring the program total to $120 million and will enable more than 300 small business and nonprofit organizations that applied before the last round of funding was exhausted in early December to receive grants. Eligible applicants that are still in the pipeline have been notified via email that their applications have been re-opened.
For additional information on Rebuild VA, please visit https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/december/headline-890465-en.html
**12/11/2020 - UPDATE**
The Governor’s office announced this week that all available funds have been exhausted at this time. They are hopeful that Congress will soon pass a stimulus package that provides additional relief to small businesses, and we will keep members informed about future relief options. The ADA is urging Congress to pass a new COVID relief package before the end of the year.
If you applied for a Rebuild VA Grant and have not yet received an answer, they will keep your application on file in case anything changes in the future.
The Rebuild VA Team has shared an updated Q&A document to answer questions you may have.
They are also inviting feedback on the program, which you can share with them through their online survey.
Original Story from October 28, 2020
Governor Northam announced today that he has expanded the eligibility requirements for the Rebuild VA small business grants to include dentists. The VDA has urged his administration to consider the ongoing impact that the coronavirus has had on oral healthcare providers and to expand the eligibility to include their small businesses. Not all dental offices may meet the criteria or have eligible expenses. If your office chooses to apply, please carefully read the requirements at
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/rebuildva/Dental offices that received funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are still eligible to receive grants of up to $100,000. Businesses that have received federal funds must certify that they will only use the Rebuild VA grant for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as the other CARES Act funds.
Rebuild VA funding may be utilized for the following eligible expenses:
- Payroll support, including paid sick, medical, or family leave, and costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during those periods of leave;
- Employee salaries;
- Mortgage payments, rent, and utilities;
- Principal and interest payments for any business loans from national or state-chartered banking, savings and loan institutions, or credit unions, that were incurred before or during the emergency;
- Eligible personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting materials, or other working capital needed to address COVID-19 response.
Can I apply for the grant if I’ve received CARES Act funding?
Yes, Small businesses that received CARES Act emergency funding are now eligible to apply for reimbursement of these eligible business operating expenses:
- Payroll and benefits
- Mortgage payments
- Rent or Lease payments
- Utilities
- Principal and interest payments for business loans incurred before or during the emergency
I don’t have a DUNS number. Do I need to apply for one?
Yes, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Substitute W-9 Form https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/07/W9_COVSubstitute.pdf with Taxpayer Identification Number and D-U-N-S http://www.dnb.com/us/ is required to process a payment check. You can get a D-U-N-S Number here: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html
Questions about your application? First, check the FAQ on the Governor’s site and the application guide. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for there, let us know by emailing logan@vadental.org and we will work to find an answer for you.
For additional information about Rebuild VA, expanded eligibility criteria, covered expenses, required documentation and filing instructions, visit
governor.virginia.gov/RebuildVA.
**This has been a breaking news announcement and we will provide more information for members as it becomes available**