For
Immediate Release:
July 29, 2020
Freeholders
announce Monmouth County CARES program; provide COVID-19 free testing updates
FREEHOLD, NJ – On behalf of the Board of Chosen
Freeholders, Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director
Susan M. Kiley announced Monmouth County CARES, the Coronavirus Economic
Assistance Grant Program for small businesses and nonprofits, and provided updates
on the recently launched COVID-19 free testing program at a press conference
held today.
“The Freeholders have worked alongside chambers of commerce and mayors to
deliver assistance to our small businesses and I am excited to announce that
the Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant program will be ready to
launch at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 3 at monmouthcountycares.com,” said
Freeholder Director Arnone. “I encourage businesses
to spend the next few days reviewing their COVID-19 costs and related paperwork
so that they are prepared when the application process opens on Monday.”
In order to qualify for a
Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant, applicants must meet the
following criteria:
- Physically
located in Monmouth County since January 1, 2019 or earlier
- Negatively
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- $5 million or
less in annual gross revenue
- 50
or fewer fulltime equivalent (FTE) employees, including the owner, as of March
1, 2020
Nonprofit Organizations registered with the IRS Nonprofit
Organizations registered with the IRS including local and regional chambers of
commerce can also apply for this program.
It should be noted that banking, educational,
governmental and medical service providers are not eligible for the grant
program at this time.
Applicants should check the website for specific
eligibility requirements at monmouthcountycares.com.
Before the online application
process opens on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 8 a.m., please be prepared to submit
information electronically through the application portal regarding the costs
your business incurred due to COVID-19, such as:
- TIN/EIN
– This is your Tax Identification or Employee Identification Number
- Legal
Business Name
- DBA
– Doing Business As (if applicable)
- Business
Contact Information (contact name, organizational role, email address,
phone number, and business address)
- NAICS
Code of the Business: North American Industry Classification System
- Tax
Returns: Fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (if filed)
- Business
Banking Information: routing and checking numbers
- Itemized
list of eligible costs for reimbursement
Funding cannot be used for reimbursements
already made under other state and federal assistance programs.
“Upon receipt of the application
and required documents, each application will be reviewed for completeness and
eligibility on a first come, first serve basis,” said Director Arnone.
“Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete and will be
given time from the incomplete notification to resubmit missing or incomplete
information in order to hold their place in the submission process.”
For further information, questions or assistance, go to monmouthcountycares.com.
Freeholder Deputy Director Kiley
commended Freeholder Director Arnone for his dedication to helping the small
business community throughout the health pandemic. The Deputy Director then
provided an update on the recently launched COVID-19 free testing program in Monmouth
County.
“Since
the program’s kickoff on Tuesday, July 21, more than 600 tests have been
administered at various testing locations including Asbury Park, Freehold
Borough, Keansburg and Long Branch. Free testing will begin in Neptune and Red
Bank this Friday and Saturday respectively, “said Freeholder Deputy Director
Kiley. “Fortunately, out of the nearly 500 tests administered during the
first week of this free testing program at the Asbury Park, Freehold Borough,
Keansburg and Long Branch locations, only seven tests have come back positive.”
Deputy
Director Kiley explained that these low positivity percentages can be
attributed to wearing masks, practicing social distancing and getting tested
for COVID-19, but warned that summer parties could cause outbreaks of positive
cases.
“I
understand it is a beautiful summer, but we are still in the midst of an
international health pandemic. This should not be taken lightly,” said Deputy
Director Kiley. “I strongly encourage all those who choose to attend these
gatherings to stay vigilant with the purpose of protecting vulnerable
populations. If not careful, the prospect of joining in on these get-togethers
may have grim, severe consequences.”
The
testing site locations, dates and hours of operation are posted on the County’s
website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
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