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Frequently Asked Questions

This page was published on June 18, 2020, to assist local Cedar Hill business owners who're navigating the Cedar Hill Strong Grant/Loan Program. Before this date, the Cedar Hill Economic Development office conducted a series of workshop sessions where business owners could attend to gain information on the program, process, and next steps. Discussion items below are providing answers to 'Frequently Asked Questions' assisting those pursuing funds through the program. If you have specific questions email [email protected] or call (972) 291-5100 during regular business hours (M-F, 8 AM-5 PM). Latest updates to this page made on June 24, 2020; including clarification on items within the final application released to qualified applicants on or following June 22, 2020.

** The application period for this loan is June 15 – June 30, 2020.  The review period is July 1 – July 15, 2020.  Awards will be distributed throughout the later part of July and into August. ** El período de solicitud para este préstamo es del 15 de junio al 30 de junio de 2020. El período de revisión es del 1 de julio al 15 de julio de 2020. Se distribuirán a lo largo de la última parte de julio y hasta agosto.

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified. 

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

What is the Grant/Loan Program?

The following information is edited for brevity from the press release issued on June 10, 2020.

  • The Cedar Hill City Council approved a $500,000 fund establishing a program to support local businesses at their June 9, 2020, regular meeting. The fund includes dollars provided by the CARES Act, distributed to local cities through Dallas County, which will be administered by the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation.

  • Cedar Hill Strong Grant/Loan funds are accessible through an application process where qualified applicants will be ranked by a point system. Minority and women-owned businesses, as well as business owners who have not received previous government assistance, will be given top priority.

  • Immediate grants to aid with operational expenses will be awarded to qualified businesses that employ less than 50 people. Additionally, development loans for enhancing business’ image and customer experience are available. The loan program includes an option for businesses to participate in activities that can earn them up to 100 percent loan forgiveness.

  • The application period for the Cedar Hill Strong Grant/Loan Program is June 15 through June 30, 2020. Free informational workshops were held Thursday, June 11, 2020, through Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at the Cedar Hill Government Center and will be made available online soon. Meanwhile, see the workshop presentation and more details at www.cedarhilledc.com/letsgrow.

 

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified.

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

How do I apply for the funds?

The process to apply for funds includes the following steps:

  1. Complete the Eligibility Questionnaire

  2. Eligible applicants must complete application

  3. Submit Required Documentation

  4. Wait for Committee Review

  5. Receive Notification

  6. If awarded, finalize the legal agreement

  7. Once signed, funds are disbursed

 

 

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified.

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

Are you considered an essential or non-essential business?

Those open and operating during the Dallas County Order issued on March 12, 2020, are to be considered ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES. If you have questions regarding your status, please email [email protected].  Visit Dallas County's FAQ: Stay Home Stay Safe for further details.

  • Government Services: police stations; fire stations; hospitals/clinics and healthcare operations; jails; courts; garbage/sanitation; transportation including DART; and utilities (water, power, and gas).

  • Healthcare Facilities: hospitals; clinics; dentists; chiropractor offices; optometry offices; pharmacies; healthcare suppliers; mental health to providers; substance abuse service providers; blood banks; and any other healthcare facility.

  • Food: Grocery stores; farmers markets; food banks; convenience stores; gas stations; and take-out, drive-through, and delivery restaurants.

  • Schools: Public and private educational institutions, only to facilitate distance learning or perform essential functions.

  • Maintenance Services: Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, cleaning services, and others who provide services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and critical businesses.

  • Animal Services: veterinary care; pet food and supply stores; grooming if necessary, for the health of the animal; pet daycare, but only for employees of essential businesses.

  • Financial Institutions: Depository lenders, such as banks and credit unions, can operate. Non-depository lenders, such as payday lenders, must close. Payroll services can also continue to work.

  • Other Essential Facilities: Laundromats/laundry services; gas stations; hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities.

  • Cemeteries and funeral services.

  • Churches can conduct services via teleconference.

*Further documentation in consideration of grant/loan funds is required.

 

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified.

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

The grant/loan fund is available, through a qualification and application process, to existing small businesses within the City of Cedar Hill, Texas. Through the Program, $500,000 in total funds has been allocated for disbursement.  The City will provide grants for qualifying businesses which may equal up to three months total operating, payroll, rent, etc. expenses, plus additional loans for business development - expanding marketing efforts, upgrading technology, and modernizing operations, based upon the number of employees.

Este fondo de subvención / préstamo está disponible, a través de un proceso de calificación y solicitud, para pequeñas empresas que existen en la Ciudad De Cedar Hill, Texas. A través del programa, se han asignado $500,000 en fondos totales para el desembolso. La Ciudad otorgará subvenciones para negocios calificados que puede equivaler a un total de hasta tres meses de gastos operativos, de nómina, alquiler, etc., además de préstamos adicionales para el desarrollo de negocios: expandir los esfuerzos de mercadotecnia, mejorar la tecnología y modernizar las operaciones, según el número de empleados.

  • Businesses must have one to 25 employees to qualify for up to a one-time $5,000 grant/$10,000 loan, not to exceed a combined total of $15,000 per business. Los negocios deben tener de uno a 25 empleados para calificar para una subvención única de hasta $ 5,000 / préstamo único de $ 10,000, sin exceder un total de $ 15,000 por negocio.

  • Businesses must have 26 to 50 employees to qualify for up to a one-time $10,000 grant/$15,000 loan, not to exceed a combined total of $25,000 per business. Los negocios deben tener de 26 a 50 empleados para calificar para una subvención única de hasta $ 10,000 / préstamo único de $ 15,000, sin exceder un total de $ 25,000 por negocio.

  • Limit one grant/loan per business owner per business address. Cada dirección de negocio es limitado a una subvención / préstamo por dueño(s).

Non-qualified applicants are as follows / Los solicitantes que  no califican son los siguientes:

  • Home-based businesses / Negocios basados en el hogar

  • Non-profit organizations or associations / Organizaciones o asociaciones sin fines de lucro

  • Businesses affiliated or owned by national chains / Empresas afiliadas o propiedad de cadenas nacionales

  • Age restricted businesses such as a tobacco, pawn shops, liquor, wine, or beer stores /Negocios con restricción de edad como, tabaquerías, casas de empeño, licores, vinos o cervecerías

  • Employees, Elected and/or Appointed Officials (board and commissions members) of Cedar Hill and their relatives within the first degree of consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage), persons/entities who are a party to a lawsuit by or against the City, and persons/entities who have been a party to a contract with Cedar Hill that has been terminated by the City for cause in the past 13 months. Empleados Oficiales elegidos y / o nombrados (miembros de la junta y comisiones) de Cedar Hill y sus familiares dentro del primer grado de consanguinidad (sangre) o afinidad (matrimonio), personas / entidades que son parte de una demanda por o en contra de la Ciudad y personas / entidades que hayan sido parte en un contrato con Cedar Hill que haya sido rescindido por la Ciudad en los últimos 13 meses.

  • Essential business such as / Negocios esenciales como:

    • Grocery stores, farmers markets, and food markets / Supermercados o mercados de productos locales/regionales

    • Gas stations and convenience stores / Gasolineras y tiendas de conveniencia

    • Banks, lending, and financial institutions / Bancos, préstamos e instituciones financieras.

    • Plumbers, HVAC technicians, and electricians / Plomeros, técnicos de climatización y electricista

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified.

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FROM JUNE 15 THRU JUNE 30  *eligible businesses began receiving applications June 22, 2020

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 2020

REVIEW/DOCUMENTATION PERIOD FROM JULY 1 THRU JULY 15

DOCUMENTS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE JULY 15

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE (WITH OR WITHOUT REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) BY JUNE 30, 2020.  SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MAY BE RECEIVED THROUGH JULY 15, 2020.  REQUEST THE APPLICATION, COMPLETED IN ALL OTHER SECTIONS, BY JUNE 30, 2020.  If you need assistance uploading the documents, please contact our office at (972) 291-5132.

ESTA APLICACIÓN SE SOLICITA (CON O SIN LOS DOCUMENTOS REQUERIDOS) ANTES DEL 30 DE JUNIO DE 2020. LOS DOCUMENTOS SUPLEMENTARIOS SE ACCEPATARN HASTA EL 15 DE JULIO DE 2020. ENVÍE LA SOLICITUD, COMPLETADA EN TODAS LAS OTRAS SECCIONES, ANTES DEL 30 DE JUNIO DE 2020. Si necesita asistencia para subir los documentos, comuníquese con nuestra oficina al (972) 291-5132. 

 

** Please note that the award of these grant/loan funds may impact funding from other Federal and State programs. Applicants should check terms of other such grants and loan programs. Any recipient of a CARES Act-funded Dallas County small business loan is automatically disqualified.

** Tenga en cuenta que la adjudicación de estos fondos de préstamos puede afectar la financiación de otros programas federales y estatales. Los solicitantes deben verificar los términos de otros programas de préstamos y subvenciones. Cualquier beneficiario de un préstamo para pequeñas empresas financiado por la ley CARES del Condado de Dallas queda automáticamente descalificado.

Business owners should consider the following items when determining eligibity for grant/loan funding:

  1. My business has been in operation in the City of Cedar Hill for at least 6 months. / Mi negocio ha estado en funcionamiento en la Ciudad De Cedar Hill por lo menos de 6 meses.
  2. My business is physically located within the corporate city limits of Cedar Hill, and must be in compliance with all applicable zoning, land use, and other ordinances. / Mi negocio está físicamente localizado dentro de los límites incorporados de la Ciudad De Cedar Hill, y debe cumplir con todas las ordenanzas de zonificación, uso de la tierra y otras ordenanzas aplicables.
  3. My business is in good standing (financial & compliance) with the City, all other Dallas County Appraisal District taxing entities for this jurisdiction, and creditors. / Mi negocio está en regla (financiero y de cumplimiento) con la Ciudad, todas las demás entidades tributarias del Distrito de Evaluación del Condado de Dallas para esta jurisdicción y los acreedores.
  4. I am aware that if awarded, a 380 Agreement and/or Promissory Note will be executed to complete the loan process and initiate payment of funds. / Soy consciente de que, si se concede, se ejecutará un Acuerdo 380 y / o pagaré para completar el proceso de préstamo e iniciar el pago de los fondos.
  5. I am aware that application for this program does not guarantee award of funding. Funding will be awarded at the sole discretion of the City of Cedar Hill and based on need, investment, and availability. / Soy consciente de que la solicitud de este programa no garantiza la adjudicación de fondos. La financiación se concederá a la sola discreción de la Ciudad de Cedar Hill y según la necesidad, la inversión y la disponibilidad.

Point Ranking System / Clasificación de puntos

Due to the limited availability of funds, applications will be scored on a point system to prioritize the awarding of funds. The following criteria will allow businesses to earn additional points on their application score. Qualified and completed applications will be selected in descending, sequential order based upon actual points scored.  Applications with equivalent scores which overlap the depletion of funds will be assigned a random code number and then be entered into a random lottery.  The lottery selection will be conducted by a third party as designated by the City of Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation.

Debido al límite de fondos disponibles, las solicitudes serán clasificados en un sistema de puntos para priorizar la adjudicación de fondos. Los siguientes criterios permitirá a las empresas ganar puntos adicionales en su puntaje de solicitud. Las solicitudes calificadas y completadas serán seleccionadas en orden descendente y secuencial en función de los puntos reales obtenidos. La selección de la lotería será realizada por una tercera persona designada por la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico de la Ciudad de Cedar Hill.

For each item below, one or more extra points per item on this list will be considered in scoring applicants.

  • Minority owned business / Empresas pertenecientes a personas de grupos minoritarios
  • Women-owned businesses / Empresas pertenecientes a mujeres
  • Cedar Hill business location more than five years / Ubicación de negocio en Cedar Hill por más de cinco años
  • Continuous operation since March 1, 2020 / Operación continua desde el 1 de marzo de 2020
  • Retained 75 percent of employees since March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 / Retención del 75% de los empleados desde el 1 de marzo de 2020 y el 31 de mayo de 2020
  • Have not received an EIDL, PPP or any other form of emergency funding related to COVID–19 / No ha recibido un EIDL, PPP o cualquier otra forma de financiación de emergencia relacionada con COVID–19
  • Supports local non-profits through sponsorship and donations / Apoya a organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro a través de patrocinios y donaciones.

All grants have no obligation for repayment. An applicant must provide documentation supporting actual business expenses as well as a loss of 15% or more in revenue between March 1st – May 31st, 2020 over the same period in 2019 (if in operation for less than one year, provide average monthly revenue for comparison). The grant request must be equal to actual expenses, not to exceed the maximum amounts based on the number of employees, as listed above.  

Para todas las subvenciones no hay obligación de reembolso. El solicitante debe proporcionar documentación que respalde los gastos comerciales actual, adicionalmente tienen que documentar una pérdida del 15% o más en ingresos entre el 1 de marzo y el 31 de mayo de 2020 durante el mismo período en 2019 (si está en funcionamiento durante menos de un año, proporcione un ingreso mensual promedio para comparar). El monto de la subvención tiene que ser igual a los gastos reales, que no excedan el monto basados en el numero de empleados, como indicado anteriormente.

All loans will be interest-free and have a 36-month repayment schedule with 12 months' first payment deferral.  Loan recipients are offered an option to have the loan partially or completely “forgiven” based upon meeting performance criteria within a designated time frame. Loan forgiveness criteria are listed in the application form.

Todos los préstamos serán sin interés y tendrán un plan de pagos de 36 meses con un aplazamiento de pago de 12 meses. Los préstamos pueden ser parcial o completamente "perdonados" según el cumplimiento de los criterios de rendimiento dentro de un marco de tiempo designado.

These small business grants/loans are being made available from the City in the form of a “380 Agreement” and “Promissory Note” between the business owner and the City of Cedar Hill.

Estas subvenciones / préstamos para pequeñas empresas se ponen a disposición de la Ciudad en forma de un "Acuerdo 380" y / "Pagaré" entre el propietario del negocio y la Ciudad de Cedar Hill.