BRI Grant FAQs.

• Must be an active business or nonprofit (Nonprofits are eligible to receive funding if they have a primary business activity that is similar to the eligible businesses who qualify for this program)
• Must have a valid government issued photo identification (ID)
• Must have less than 51 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Have not reported annual gross income of more than $5,000,000 in calendar year 2019
• Headquarters or main office physically located in Benton County where a majority of employees are assigned
• Business must be independently owned and operated (Independently owned and operated means that the ownership interests, management, and operation of the business are not subject to control, restriction, modification, or limitation by a person or corporation with no formal role in the operation of the business)
• Valid and current state and/or local business license as required by law
• No pending compliance or regulatory issues with state or federal agencies, as of March 1, 2020.
• Must provide financial documentation to validate business income
  • 2019 Federal Tax Return (if business was open in 2019)
  • 2020 Federal Tax Return
  • 2021 Federal Tax Return (or four quarterly Department of Revenue filings)
  • Accounting records (bank statements) for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application showing revenue in prior months, payroll expenses, rent payments, and utility expenses

• Disbarment, or current compliance/regulatory issues with state or federal agencies, as of March 1, 2020.
• Actively pursuing a bankruptcy declaration or actively engaged in current/pending lawsuits.
• Ineligible business categories:
  • Marijuana/cannabis operation
  • Government entity or elected official offices
  • Passive business, investment companies and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns
  • Financial Businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending
  • Businesses engaged in socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature
  • Businesses of a prurient/sexual nature
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
  • Businesses that restrict patronage for any reason other than capacity or age, due to regulations

Businesses that do not receive a grant award in Phase One are eligible for potential funding in subsequent phases. No need to reapply – your application will automatically roll over to the next phase.

Yes. An active application with another organization will not affect eligibility for BRI grant funds. However, all funds (loan and/or grant) received between March 2020 and the date you submit your BRI application must be disclosed.

The time applications open to the time funds are awarded is approximately 10-12 weeks.

• Month one: Applications open
• Month two: Applications processed
• Month three: Funds awarded
• Month four: Awardee expenditure verification

• Phase One: October 2022 – January 2023
• Phase Two: February 2023 – May 2023
• Phase Three: June 2023 – September 2023

• Phase One: The BRI grant application will open on October 1, 2022 and close at midnight on October 31, 2022.
• Phase Two: The BRI grant application will open on February 1, 2023 and close at midnight on February 28, 2023.
• Phase Three: The BRI grant application will open on September 1, 2023 and close at midnight on September 30, 2023.

Up to one million dollars is awarded in each Phase.

Applications are reviewed (based on American Rescue Plan Act and Benton County requirements) by the Evaluation Panel – a diverse panel of local community and business leaders. Grant awards are based on greatest need.

Grants range from $3,000 to $30,000. A maximum grant award will not exceed 6-10% of the applicant’s annual business revenue. Businesses are not eligible for more than one BRI award.