Program Overview:

The Bucks County Economic Development Corporation and the County of Bucks are working in partnership with the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority (BCRDA) and the Visit Bucks County (VBC) to administer, review and communicate information regarding the state funded Covid-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP).

Program Information:

• CHIRP Grant Applications will be accepted from March 15th through April 2nd. Application window has been extended through April 12th.
• All applications MUST be submitted using the electronic application linked below.
• Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000 and will be based on need, fund availability and on a first come, first serve basis.
• This program was created in accordance with Act 1 requirements, and all recipients of this grant program must certify that they will use any funds that are received as the act designates.
• Businesses that have not received prior financial assistance will be prioritized for an award.
• Future application rounds may open depending on funding availability.
• Multi-business owners holding 20% or more in more than one company may only accept one grant through this program for one business.
• All applicants certifying their application acknowledge the requirements mandated by the County of Bucks False Claims Ordinance, No. 163.
• Businesses applying to this program must remain in operation without intent to permanently close within one year of the date of their application.
• Any applicant applying on behalf of a business they do not own must be authorized and legally qualified to bind the Applicant Business into an agreement in order to submit for them.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Operates a place of business within this Commonwealth having a NAICS designation within the Accommodation subsector (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places subsector (722) and where accommodations, food or drink is served to or provided for the public, with or without charge.
• Has fewer than 300 full-time equivalent employees, shall include each employee of the eligible applicant notwithstanding whether the eligible applicant has employees at multiple locations.
• Eligible businesses must have a maximum tangible net worth of not more than $15,000,000 computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• For-profit company.
• Must have experienced at least a 25% revenue decrease demonstrated through gross receipts from March to December 2019 as compared to March to December 2020. If the business was not open during this timeframe, gross receipts will be examined from month to month expenses from March-December 2020 to January- 2021 year to date (YTD) statement.
• Multi-business owners may only apply for one business if they own more than 20% in more than one company.
• Businesses may not be publicly traded entities.
• Applicants must have been in operation since at least February 15, 2020.

Eligible Expenses:

• An operating expense, including a payroll and nonpayroll expense, that is both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in an eligible applicant’s industry. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for an eligible applicant’s trade or business.
  • Operating expenses must be incurred between March 1, 2020 and the date that your application is submitted; utility, mortgage and rent agreements must have been agreed upon before February 15, 2020
• A grant may not be awarded to pay for the same eligible operating expenses for which an eligible applicant receives or received payment, reimbursement, or loan forgiveness previously.
• Expenses that a business plans to cover using this grant must be itemized in Section C of the application form, for up to $50,000

Required Documentation:

• 2019 Federal Tax Return
• 2019 State Tax Return
• Gross Receipts/2020 End of Year Statements for required timeframes
• Business Profit and Loss by calendar quarter for 2019 (Business that began operating in 2019 should complete for quarters they were in operation).
• Business Profit and Loss by calendar quarter for 2020 (Business that began operating on or before February 15, 2020 should complete for quarters they were in operation).
• Completed Agreement Form (download)
• IRS Form W9 (download)
• 2021 YTD Statement

Please contact Deanna Giorno, Bucks County Economic Development Program Manager, with any questions at dmgiorno@buckscounty.org.