Allegheny County announced that its COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) will begin accepting applications at noon on Monday, March 15 at https://alleghenycounty.us/CHIRP. The program allows businesses in the hospitality industry that were affected by the pandemic to receive grants of up to $50,000 to offset losses.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

•     Businesses that lost 25% or more in gross receipts between 2019 and 2020;

•     Businesses that operate in Allegheny County;

•     Businesses with fewer than 300 full-time equivalent employees;

•     Businesses with a maximum tangible net worth of not more than $15 million;

•     Businesses that were in operation on February 15, 2020, remain in operation now, and do not intend to permanently cease operations within one year of the date of application; 

•     Businesses that have experienced an adverse economic impact from COVID-19 that make the grant request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the business; and

•     Businesses with a 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code beginning with  721 (Accommodation) or 722 (Food Services and Drinking Places); this is your principal business activity code listed on Line B of your 1040 Schedule C tax return filed for 2019.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT?

•     IRS tax form W9 with taxpayer identification number or federal employer identification number;

•     Number of full-time equivalency employees;

•     Electronic copy of 2019 Business Tax Return, if the return exists, or gross receipts by quarter for 2019;

•     Electronic copy of 2020 Business Tax Return, if the return exists, or gross receipts by quarter for 2020;

•     Bank name, account name, account type (checking, money market, etc.), bank account number, and bank routing number;

•     Electronic copy of voided check for account to which funds will be sent (paper checks will not be issued); and

•     Operating expenses (including rent, payroll, utilities, etc.) incurred between March 1, 2020 and time of application that have NOT already been offset by other grants, reimbursements or forgivable loans.