Matanuska-Susitna Borough

FAQs

Yes. However, grants will go first to those businesses that have not received any COVID-19 assistance, second to those who have received $10,000 or less in prior federal, state, or local COVID-19 assistance, and third to those who have received $10,000 or more.
Yes. Cannabis-Related Businesses, Liquor Stores, Tobacco/Vaping Businesses, Bail Bonds, Check Cashing Facilities, Payday Loan and other Short-Term Loan Operators, Adult Oriented Businesses, and Bingo halls, pull-tab businesses, and other businesses related to gambling, betting, or gaming except for nonprofit organizations engaged in lawful fundraising activities.
National chain or franchises are not eligible. However, wholly-owned local chains or franchises are eligible.
Yes, as long as they are based in Mat-Su and meet all the other eligibility requirements.
Yes, seasonal and mobile businesses are eligible if they can show they are based in Mat-Su (outside the cities of Palmer, Wasilla and Houston) or do 50% or more of their business within Borough boundaries.
No.
Yes. Grantees shall retain financial and other records relating to the performance of this Grant for a period of six years and will allow, on request, an audit by the Borough of its expenditures of monies made available to the Grantee under this grant and of transactions related to those expenditures.
Yes, your business or non-profit must have a physical location within the Mat-Su Borough. Your location may be an office, store, restaurant, or other physical location. Home-based businesses are also eligible.

Once the application period opens on August 10, you may complete and submit an application online at https://msbcares.matsugov.us. You can also fill out an application in person at kiosk in the Mat-Su Borough Building at 350 E. Dahlia Ave. Palmer Ak 99645.

Applications for the first round will be accepted starting at 10:00AM Monday, August 10 and ending at 11:59PM Sunday, August 16.

Eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations are those that have 50 or fewer full-time and/or part-time employees.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis. The order of distribution will be determined by when the submitted application is complete, with all requested information received by the Borough. Priority for grants will be given first to those businesses that have not received any COVID-19 assistance, second to those who have received $10,000 or less in prior federal, state, or local COVID-19 assistance, and third to those who have received $10,000 or more.

Applicants will be contacted by email and informed whether they have or have not been selected to receive an award.
2019 federal filed Schedule C income is considered “gross income” for sole proprietors.
Sole proprietors may provide their Social Security Number or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
Yes, as long as the business accounts for 20% or more of annual gross income as reported on your 2019 tax return filed with the IRS, (or if your business or non-profit has not filed for 2019, a financial statement prepared by a third party professional).
No. If an individual owns a majority interest in more than one business, then only one of those businesses may receive an award. If an individual owns a minority interest in multiple businesses, each business is eligible.
No. So long as you use the money to pay for eligible operating expenses in compliance with the grant terms and conditions, you do not have to repay it.

The maximum amount of the grant is the lesser of $10,000 or 20% of the business’ gross reported revenues in 2019 as reported to the IRS.

Yes. Businesses and nonprofits must been substantially negatively impacted (i.e. suffered 25% loss in revenue and/or 25% increase in expenditures) due to COVID-19.
Eligible uses for funding include payroll, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses and other expenses that occur in the ordinary course of operations that have been incurred March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020, or for costs associated with implementing COVID-19-related safety measures.
  • Must employ on average 50 or fewer full-time and/or part-time employees over the course of one year.
  • Must be physically located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, outside the city limits of Palmer, Wasilla, or Houston. Check your business location our Address Lookup Map
  • Must have active state of Alaska and Matanuska-Susitna Borough business licenses (as of January 1, 2020) and do 50% or more of their business within Borough boundaries
  • Must be current on all Mat-Su Borough tax bills
  • Have been substantially negatively impacted (i.e. suffered 25% loss in revenue and/or 25% increase in expenditures) due to COVID-19
  • One grant per individual (If an individual owns a majority interest in more than one business, then only one of those businesses may receive an award. If an individual owns a minority interest in multiple businesses, each business is eligible)
  • Organizations and businesses that have received CARES ACT funding through other programs may apply (including receipt of PPP loans)
  • Applicant must agree to the grant terms and conditions with the Mat-Su Borough and supply required documentation
  • The applicant must certify that the information provided is true and accurate
You will be notified via email your application is incomplete. Applications will not be considered for approval or ranking until complete.

Questions may be submitted to msbcares@matsugov.us

If a business has not filed for 2019, a financial statement prepared by a third party professional may be supplied instead.

You will not be eligible for this program. However you can apply to the cities.

Palmer Wasilla Houston

You may also qualify for funding from the state.

State of Alaska Small Business Grant Program



Grants will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis as long as funding is available. The total amount of funds available is $13 million which will be awarded in three separate rounds.
  • National chain or franchise (Wholly-owned local chains or franchises are eligible)
  • Sole proprietors whose business income accounts for less than 20% of the owner/applicant’s annual gross income
  • Businesses with active Mat-Su Borough or city code violation injunctions, or tax liens
  • Businesses that have filed for bankruptcy
  • Cannabis-Related Businesses, Liquor Stores, Tobacco/Vaping Businesses, Bail Bonds, Check Cashing Facilities, Payday Loan and other Short-Term Loan Operators, Adult Oriented Businesses, and Bingo halls, pull-tab businesses, and other businesses related to gambling, betting, or gaming except for nonprofit organizations engaged in lawful fundraising activities.
Please provide a current telephone number and email address for a legally authorized representative of the business or nonprofit. The representative must be authorized to receive funding on behalf of the business or nonprofit in order for funds to be disbursed.
It is possible but not guaranteed that more funding will become available in the future. Should that occur, applicants who are determined eligible but did not receive funding will not be required to submit a new application.
Yes. You will have to verify your eligibility by providing documentation such as tax returns and a signed statement. If you provide false information, you will be required to pay back any funds you receive, and you may be subject to criminal prosecution.