Information on the Main Street Relief Fund

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (“flex funds”) to provide economic support to New Hampshire small businesses suffering from business interruptions as a result of COVID-19.

Main Street Relief Fund 2.0

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of $100 million from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (“flex funds”) for MSRF 2.0 in order to continue providing economic support to New Hampshire small businesses suffering from business interruptions as a result of COVID-19.

MSRF 2.0 supports both (1) businesses that did not receive grants from the initial round of MSRF or the General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) Fund, and (2) businesses that received grants of less than the maximum $350,000 from the initial round of MSRF or the GAP Fund, if eligible according to the criteria described below. Businesses that received a Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) grant are not eligible for MSRF 2.0.

The $100 million MSRF 2.0 will be shared among new recipients and prior recipients of MSRF and GAP Fund grants using a pro-rata formula based on gross receipts losses adjusted for other COVID-19-related funding received from all sources, including all grants received from GOFERR flex funds programs. MSRF 2.0 grants will be offset by GOFERR program grants previously received on a dollar-for-dollar basis, including, particularly, from the initial round of MSRF and the GAP Fund. The maximum amount received from MSRF 2.0 cannot exceed $350,000, including grants received from the initial round of MSRF and the GAP Fund.

Important Dates & Timeline:

• Application Period: October 19, 2020 – October 30, 2020
• Deadline to Submit Completed Application: 4:00 PM on October 30, 2020

Eligibility Criteria:

For a business (or group of affiliated businesses*) to qualify for MSRF 2.0, it must:

• Be a for-profit business;
• Have its principal business office in New Hampshire;
• Have typically employed at least one non-owner W-2 employee before COVID-19;
• Have been in operation since at least May 29, 2019;
• Anticipate a loss of gross receipts from 2019 to 2020 due to COVID-19;
• Have total 2019 gross receipts of less than $20 million;
• Have received a total of less than $350,000 from the initial round of MSRF or the GAP Fund, if a prior recipient;
• Not be currently in bankruptcy;
• Not have permanently closed; and  
• Not have received a Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) grant.

In addition, the following types of businesses are not eligible for MSRF 2.0:

• Nonprofit organizations;
• Agriculture businesses;
• Childcare providers;
• Elementary or secondary schools;
• Institutions of higher education; and
• Hospitals or other healthcare providers.

* For purposes of MSRF 2.0, a business is considered affiliated with any other business that:

1. Has the same Taxpayer Identification Number (including Social Security Number);
2. Has the same corporate parent or grandparent; or
3. Is majority-owned (more than 50%) by the same owner or group of owners.

MSRF 2.0 grant amounts will be calculated similar to the initial round of MSRF and the GAP Fund. The maximum amount received cannot exceed $350,000, including grants received from the initial round of MSRF and the GAP Fund. The State of New Hampshire is not directing businesses on how to spend the money. Businesses must demonstrate they have experienced or anticipate they will experience a financial loss due to COVID-19 in order to qualify for MSRF 2.0. It is expected that businesses will use the funds to assist in covering their operational costs and legal obligations.