Alexandria Queen Street Business Corridor Grant Program

Page 1

Welcome to the application for the Alexandria Queen Street Business Corridor (QSBC) Grant Program, an initiative of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and City of Alexandria, Virginia The goal of this program is to encourage the preservation and profitability of community-serving businesses on Queen Street and adjacent streets in accordance with the vision set forth in the Braddock Metro Neighborhood Plan. For purposes of this program, the Queen Street Business Corridor is defined as North Columbus Street to N. West Street (East to West) and Cameron Street to Oronoco Street (South to North). A map showing the defined area is available at [Link] This program is open to certain businesses located within the Queen Street Business Corridor. All businesses must be licensed to operate and in “good standing” with the City of Alexandria. The program is available to Independent Contractors and small businesses with no more than 100 employees. Please review the full eligibility criteria before applying [Link] Qualified businesses will be eligible for a grant of no more than $5,000. Funding for this program is limited, so grants will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. Grant funds must be used to pay for expenses within seven spending categories related to supporting ongoing business operations and long-term business resiliency as defined by the program. Specific details about eligible uses of funds can be found at [Link] Applications cannot be saved and continued later. Applications must be submitted by 5:00PM EST on October,18, 2021.

Applicants are encouraged to gather the following information before beginning the application:

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) associated with the business
City of Alexandria Business License Account Number
State Subsidy Vendor ID number (if applying as Childcare Provider)

All applicants will receive an automated email when their application is submitted. If you do not receive the email, please contact AEDP by email at info@alexandriaecon.org. AEDP will provide general program updates by email as needed during the review process.

If, during the application process, an applicant has questions, they should call 703-739-3820 or email info@alexandriaecon.org.

Thank you for operating your business in Alexandria and for your interest in this program.

Page 2

Section 1 - Basic Business Information

This section of the application requests basic information about the business and business owner.

First Name

Business Owner First Name

Last Name

Business Owner Last Name

Phone

Business Owner Phone Number

Email

Business Owner Email Address

Confirm Email

Business Owner Email Address

Are you the Owner of the business?

Business Name

Full Legal Name of the Business

Business Trade Name

Business Trade Name (If no business trade name, re-enter the legal name of the business)

Local Business Address (You must have a physical, commercial presence within the defined Queen Street Business Corridor in the City of Alexandria. Home-based businesses, with the exception of certain licensed/regulated child care providers, are ineligible.)

Address Line 1

Local Business Address (You must have a physical, commercial presence within the defined Queen Street Business Corridor in the City of Alexandria. Home-based businesses, with the exception of certain licensed/regulated child care providers, are ineligible.)

City

State

Postal Code

test

Do you own the building where your business is located or lease commercial space from a landlord?

Please describe the type of business by selecting one of the following categories:

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) associated with the business (9 digits)

Page 3

Section 2 – Program Eligibility

An applicant must meet all the program’s criteria to be eligible for an QSBC grant. Supporting documentation, when required, must be included with the application. All information obtained as part of this program is deemed confidential and protected subject to Sections 2.2-3705.6 and 58.1-3 of the Code of Virginia and will not be shared with others beyond the administration of this grant program.

Is the business licensed to conduct business in the City of Alexandria?

City of Alexandria 6-Digit Business License account number (For family day home child care providers ONLY, who are exempt from the business license requirement, enter all zeros)

Is the business a nonprofit or charitable organization?

Is your business a child care provider that provides full-day or part-day child care for children 0-13 years of age and is licensed or regulated by a local ordinance or the Virginia Department of Social Services?

For child care providers with a State Subsidy Vendor ID number, enter the 9-Digit number (applicable only to child care providers with a State Subsidy Vendor ID)

Is the business current on all tax payments to the City of Alexandria, VA or currently on a formal payment plan with the City?

Has the business had any license or permit suspended or revoked in the last 90 days?

Is the business currently involved in business bankruptcy proceedings?

Is the business locally owned and operated?
(This program excludes corporate-owned locations, branches, or subsidiaries and franchise businesses unless they are locally owned and operated.)

Section 3 - Employee Information

This program is open to qualifying entities that employ no more than 100 employees, to include Independent Contractors who are self-employed with no employees.

How many owners does the business have?
(If you are a self-employed Independent Contractor with no employees, enter 1 for yourself)

Not including any owners, how many active W2 employees did the business have on June 30, 2021?

Not including any owners, how many active Independent Contractors/1099 workers did the business have on June 30, 2021?

Section 4 – Use of Funds

Funds from the QSBC Grant Program must be used to offset costs related to ongoing business operations and/or to make investments in the business’s long-term resiliency. Please explain how the business intends to use the grant funds by selecting from the list of Allowable Uses. You may select more than one option.

Business Operation

Ongoing or deferred business rent or mortgage payments

Deferred utility payments

Business Resiliency – investments to support the long-term profitability of the business in the areas of:

Marketing & Promotion – professional services related to the development and implementation of marketing strategies to attract customers through increased brand awareness.

Technology Enhancements – the purchase of technology to facilitate e-commerce and/or vital business operations.

Professional Services / Business Consultants – to procure services to assist with business planning, operations, and other business needs (i.e., accountants, lawyers, etc.).

Equipment Replacement & PPE – the replacement and/or upgrading of business equipment to include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Interior Space Improvements – includes furniture and fixtures and professional services related to the design and construction/alteration of the business’s built environment, as well as the actual costs for alterations

Outdoor Space Improvements – the purchase of equipment and materials to activate outdoor spaces.

Façade Improvements – the purchase of services and materials to make physical improvements to the exterior of the business to make the location attractive to customers, businesses, and residents.

Page 4

Section 5 – Additional Information

It is requested that applicants answer the following demographic questions which will only be used for program reporting. All data will be reported in the aggregate. Declining to answer these questions does not impact an applicant’s eligibility for the program.

Race/National origin of the business owner

With which gender identity does the business owner most identify?

What is the age of the business owner?

How many years has the business owner been in business?

Has the business owner ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard?

Is the business owner registered with the State of Virginia and the City of Alexandria as a Small, Woman-Owned, and Minority (SWaM) business?

To process your application, we may need to contact you. What language do you prefer to communicate in?

Has the business applied for federal small business relief through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program? (Note: the answer does not affect eligibility for this program)

Was the business's application to the federal EIDL Program approved?

Has the business applied for federal small business relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)? (Note: the answer does not affect eligibility for this program)

Was the business's application to the federal PPP approved?

Has the business applied for state small business relief through the Rebuild VA Grant Fund program? (Note: the answer does not affect eligibility for this program)

Was the business’s application to the Rebuild VA Grant Fund program approved?

Page 5

Section 6 – Review & Submit

Alexandria Queen Street Business Corridor Grant Program

Application Terms & Conditions and Consent

Application for the Alexandria Queen Street Business Corridor (“Grant”) constitutes an unconditional agreement to and acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions. The Applicant is responsible for ensuring his or her familiarity with the Terms and Conditions.

1. By applying, the Applicant certifies that it is not under any agreement or restriction that prohibits or restricts its ability to disclose or submit the materials included in the application or otherwise to apply for the Grant.

2. The Applicant acknowledges that all proprietary information provided by the Applicant will be kept confidential by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. (“AEDP”) and the City of Alexandria (“City”), collectively known as (“Grantors”) to the extent permitted by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and other applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the disclosure of records in Grantors possession.

3. The Applicant acknowledges that any non-proprietary information provided by the Applicant may be used in public reporting and promotion about the Grant.

4. The Applicant acknowledges that all grant award decisions are final and are not subject to appeal.

5. If the Applicant becomes a Grant recipient, following successful granting of an award, they acknowledge and agree to report to the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership on the status of their business including information on existing employees, revenues, and how Grant funds were used at a date and time determined by AEDP.

6. If the Applicant becomes a Grant recipient, they acknowledge and agree to meet with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, or their designee.

7. The Applicant covenants to save, defend, hold harmless and indemnify the “AEDP” and the “City”, and all of their officers, departments, agencies, agent and employees, from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, injuries, fines, penalties, costs including court costs and attorney’s fees, charges, liability or exposure, however caused, resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with this application.

I certify that I have read and understand and am authorized to complete and submit this application on behalf of the Applicant. I verify that the statements contained herein are true, accurate and complete. I acknowledge that false and inaccurate statements made on the application are grounds for immediate rejection of the application.

Print Your Name as Signature Below

Signature

I agree and understand that by checking this box equivalent of my manual/handwritten signature and I consent to be legally bound to this agreement.

First Name :

Last Name

Phone

Email