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WELCOME TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER
Our Mission Statement:
“To Provide Efficient, Courteous And
Professional Service To Our Community”
"Success Comes By Helping Others"
We're Proud To Serve You In Representing District 22
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Tax Day is July 15th, and scammers are using the extra time to commit fraud against the treasury and taxpayers. Remember, the IRS will never initiate contact by phone, text, or email. Only via USPS. Never give out any personal information in an interaction that you did not initiate.
- Scammers are targeting your unemployment benefits due to shutdown-related joblessness, whether or not you’re out of work. Criminals work in a number of ways. Under the guise of a government agency, health authority, or financial services organization, they call, email, or text. They may even make you the unwitting accessory to a crime, tricking you into providing your own information to file a fraudulent claim.
- If you receive a message via text, email, or social media that says you have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, it could be a scam. The message, which purports to be from the health department, instructs you to self-isolate and provides a link for more information. Don’t click the link. It could contain malware.
- Malware-infected Excel spreadsheets are being sent out as email attachments purporting to come from respected organizations. The spreadsheets supposedly carry data and updates on the pandemic. Don't click on them!
- Don't believe the latest "free groceries" scam that claims retailer Target is giving away products. A text or email message says the recipient is entitled to $175 worth of groceries. But if you click the link in the message, you end up with malware.
- Use cryptocurrency? Beware of scams! If you receive an email from a big cryptocurrency exchange, alerting you to a COVID-19 issue affecting your account, don’t click on the link. It could be a fake page in which you give away your account information. Then, your entire cryptocurrency account is untraceably drained.
- Scammers are sending messages claiming they have COVID-19 and they are threatening to spread it to your family if you don’t pay up. The scammer even claims to know where you live (often found on social media). Don’t fall for it!
- Scammers are adapting business email compromise tricks into COVID scams. They pose as existing clients of an organization or small firm. They already have details of senior executives from phishing activities, so they message the boss, posing as a known supplier, saying invoices have to be paid to a different account because of the pandemic. The new account belongs to the crooks.
- If you receive communication from a charity asking for money, make sure it is legit. Charity-related phishing scams are on the rise. Go directly to the organization’s website or call them. Never click a link or open a random attachment. Check out give.org for more information on charities.
- If you use a smartphone or tablet, beware of Fleeceware, which describes apps that rip off users. It’s not illegal, but the app will either overcharge you upon download or you will see excessive charges on your account month-to-month. Do your homework before you download any app.
Saving Jobs • Providing Relief • Restoring Businesses
The application will opened for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants on Wednesday, July 1, 2020,. Applicants must have a business located within Louisville/Jefferson County. At least 50 percent of the funds will be spent in low-to-moderate income census tracts.
Purpose of the Fund
The Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants program is designed to help prevent business closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to preserve the hundreds of fun and funky businesses that make Louisville unique. Download a flier with information about the grant program.
Grant Program Funding
Louisville Metro Government’s FY21 operating budget includes up to $21 million in federal CARES funding for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants.
Amount of Grants
The program will provide eligible businesses with grants up to $50,000 based on demonstrated impact from COVID-19.
Eligible Business Criteria
Businesses meeting the following criteria will be eligible for a grant:
- Businesses with 20 employees or fewer as of March 16, 2020
- Non-retail businesses with 50 employees or fewer that have remained closed or whose business activity have been severely restricted under state executive order dated March 25, 2020
- Businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Businesses must be located in Louisville/Jefferson County
- Businesses must be in good standing with Louisville Metro Revenue Commission
- Business must be in "active" standing with Kentucky Secretary of State
Industries of focus include retail (including direct services), food service, arts & entertainment, recreation, and childcare.
Grant Use
The funds may only be used for the following business expenses:
- Payroll
- Utilities
- Lease/mortgage assistance
- Fixed cost support – to include debt service (interest only), business insurance, other fixed costs
- Technology for online platform to allow online sales
If you received funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s PPP and/or EIDL programs, you cannot claim funds to be used for the same expenditures.
Application Process
Additional details about the application will be available soon.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED (please attach with application):
- Documentation demonstrating negative impact of COVID19 to your business
- 2019 tax return, personal and business
- W-9
- Current record of financial condition of the business, including a profit & loss statement and balance sheet
- Vendor Questionnaire
- Proposed six-month budget for use of funds (If you received funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s PPP and/or EIDL programs, you cannot claim funds to be used for the same expenditures.)
- Louisville Metro Revenue Commission business number
- Proof of ownership of business, including any disadvantaged status (certification not required)
Reporting/Accountability Requirements
Funds must be spent and accounted for by December 30, 2020. Funds will be released in up to three batches (every two months), with recipients required to submit reports with backup documentation showing all payments made for payroll, utilities, lease or mortgage, and fixed costs prior to release of second and third payouts.
For more information, please visit:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/small-business-covid-19-relief-grants
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