DED Reopens Small Business Stabilization Grant Program
Application deadline is Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. (CT)
While the Livestock Producer Grant Application has closed, applications for the Small Business portion of the Stabilization Fund – for which agriculture operations can apply – are re-opening with expanded eligibility through Friday, July 17, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. CT. Businesses with 75 or fewer employees are now eligible. The new eligibility requirements mean that 1099 contractors and the self-employed who withhold state income taxes for their employees on a Nebraska Form 941N are now eligible for funds.  

Due to receiving fewer applications than projected during the first round, Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) estimates it can award up to 14,000 more grants of $12,000 a piece. The grants — which will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until funds are expended — are available to businesses, including crop and livestock producers that have not previously applied under the Small Business Stabilization (SBS) program. 

The deadline to apply for the grants is Friday, July 17 at 4:00 p.m. (CT).
Potential SBS grant applicants must certify their eligibility by visiting https://getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov/nebraska-small-business-stabilization-grant/. If deemed eligible, applicants will be notified via email and sent a confirmation number and link to complete a full application. All interested businesses are strongly encouraged to view this user guide and this step-by-step instructional video for pertinent information.

Who is eligible?
Nebraska-owned businesses, including crop and livestock producers, with 75 employees or fewer employees who are licensed for withholding as of March 13, 2020 that have closed or sustained a loss of revenue or employment since March 13, 2020, are eligible to apply. The new eligibility requirements mean that 1099 contractors and the self-employed who withhold state income taxes for their employees on a Nebraska Form 941N are now eligible for funds.  

The State of Nebraska will be providing transparent reporting on the CARES Act funds and names of recipients will be made public.

How to apply
If eligibility requirements are met, the grant-seeking business should submit a Completed Eligibility Certification Form to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) by the deadline below. The Eligibility Certification Form will be used to verify that the business is a Nebraska taxpayer that has employees in the state. If the business is validated, it will receive an invitation to submit a full application, which must be submitted by the deadline below.

You will need the following: Business Name, Email, State ID (tax ID), Withholding FEIN (Federal Employment Identification Number)

Instructions
  • Complete the Eligibility Certification Form
  • If you receive a confirmation message and confirmation number from the Eligibility Certification Form, use the hyperlink in that email to apply to the full application in AmpliFund. See the “Preparing to Apply” section for assistance on using AmpliFund.
  • At any time, you can log into AmpliFund to check the status of your application.
  • Please note that the only one application is allowed per State Income Tax ID and Withholding FEIN.

Recipients will be notified by email sometime between mid-July and August 1st.
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