Last week to apply to CARES Act funded COVID-19 expenses program

Concord, NH – On September 9, the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) launched the COVID-19 Expenses Relief Program to assist New Hampshire for-profit Main Street businesses with COVID-19 related business expenses in 2020 and 2021.

Awards will be issued following the application deadline, utilizing approximately $20 million from the State’s CARES Act funds on a capped, pro-rata basis dependent upon total eligible expenses. Roughly $10 million of the overall fund is money that was required by U.S. Treasury to be returned to the State and is now being reinvested into the business community.

Eligible businesses can apply for reimbursement of a portion of their eligible expenses until 4 PM this Friday, October 1, 2021, via the GOFERR portal.
 
Eligible expenses for reimbursement include but are not limited to broad categories, such as:

• Costs incurred while closed due to COVID-19 (such as prorated rent, mortgage payments, and utilities);
• Costs incurred as a result of reopening after COVID-19 related closure (such as PPE, workforce safety training, and installation of physical safety measures); and
• Increased costs of doing business as a result of COVID-19 (such as HVAC improvements, creation or addition of indoor or outdoor space for social distancing purposes, and increased costs due to supply chain disruptions or increased demand).

Note: More information on the program, including eligibility information, can be found here.