All information in this COVID-19 Response Resource issue is effective as of June 23, 2020.

The Utah State Legislature has recently made changes to the state’s $40 million COVID-19: Commercial Rental Assistance Program (S.B. 5005). The changes were made to help more small businesses pay their rent by easing prior requirements under the program. The changes will become effective when the bill is signed by Governor Hebert, which is expected to happen soon. 

The Commercial Rental Assistance Program is administered by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The program is for small businesses (including nonprofits, sole proprietors, independent contractors and those that are self-employed) that: 

  • Have a current lease on commercial property in the state of Utah
  • Claim Utah as its principal place of business
  • Register with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
  • Operates with less than the equivalent of 100 full-time employees
  • Demonstrate at least a 30 percent loss of gross monthly revenue over a four-week period after March 1, 2020, as a result of federal, state or local public health measures taken to minimize the public's exposure to COVID-19; and
  • Have not received funds from the COVID-19 Agricultural Operations Grant Program 

Businesses can receive:  

(a) 50 percent of monthly rent for two months, if the monthly gross revenue loss is more than 30 percent and less than 45 percent, or

(b) 100 percent of monthly rent for two months, if the monthly gross revenue loss is 45 percent or more.

The maximum amount of commercial rent assistance under the program is $15,000 for a qualified business with one location; or $30,000 for a qualified business with more than one location, with no more than $5,000 awarded each month per location.

The application period for the COVID-19: Commercial Rental Assistance Program opened on Monday, May 11, 2020, and remains open. The applications should be submitted at www.coronavirus.utah.gov. Grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until the $40 million is exhausted. 

More information about the COVID-19: Commercial Rental Assistance Program (including application requirements) can be found at https://business.utah.gov/utah-covid-19-commercial-rental-assistance-program/#faq

For questions, contact Jason Nichols by calling (801) 536-6907 or send an email to jnichols@parsonsbehle.com.

 

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