Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes now accepting applications for CSKT Small Business Relief Grants 

•       Secure application portal now live at csktbusinessrelief.com.

•       Eligible CSKT-member-owned businesses and CSKT-livestock producers operating on the Flathead Reservation may apply for grant funds.

•       Business advisors are available to aid small business owners in the application process.

September 28, 2020 — Pablo, Montana — The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Economic Development Office is now accepting applications for coronavirus business relief funds. The CSKT Small Business Relief Grants program offers over $1 million in federally allocated financial assistance to qualified CSKT-member-owned small businesses and active CSKT-member livestock producers in the recovery, stabilization, and adaptation of business operations. Funds can be used for working capital to support payroll, rent, accounts payable (such as utilities and vendors), debt services, and expenses related to shifts in operations (such as the purchase of personal protective equipment).

“We are eager to get capital in the hands of our small business owners impacted by the pandemic,” said Tribal Chairwoman Shelly Fyant. “CSKT Small Business Relief Grants will help revive the health of our Flathead Reservation economy.”

The full list of eligibility requirements and the online grant application portal may be accessed at csktbusinessrelief.com. Applicants will be prompted to create a free account with Submittable, the submission management software CSKT used to create the application, before answering a series of eligibility questions and providing contact information and proof of CSKT Tribal enrollment. Printed applications may be requested as well.

To assist business owners with the application process, business advisors from the Economic Development Office and S&K Business Services are available to help Tribal business owners prepare documentation and complete their applications.

“We encourage business owners to reach out to our skilled business advisors with inquiries about eligibility requirements and the application,” said CSKT Economics Director Velda Shelby. “Our team is prepared to help qualified business owners successfully apply for funding.”

Within the application, applicants will define how their businesses have been affected by COVID-19 and describe how they plan to re-open, adapt, or stabilize operations. Businesses must also provide an estimate of their financial losses and estimated costs to re-establish business operations, along with a 2019 Federal Income Tax Return and payroll reports (if the business has employees). All financial documents, and proprietary and personally identifiable information provided, are secure and protected from public disclosure.

A business can apply for up to $20,000 of working capital to help stabilize business operations for up to 9.5 months. Businesses in default with lenders can use grant funding to resolve debt payments. CSKT will specify details as part of the award agreement terms. If needed, businesses can also apply for up to $10,000 toward adaptation equipment and supplies. Should a business need both stabilization and adaptation funds, the owner can apply for up to $30,000 in total funding.

The deadline for all applications is Nov. 15, 2020, or until funds are exhausted. Business owners will be notified if their application has been accepted within two weeks of submitting their application. Accepted applicants should receive their disbursement of grant funds a week after acceptance notification (within three weeks of application submission).

Grants are limited to one business entity per application, and the business or sole proprietor must have either a Preference 1 certification from the CSKT Indian Preference Office, a 2020 Montana Certificate from the Secretary of State’s Office showing good standing, or an active Montana Brand registration certificate with current CSKT agricultural lease. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received funding from the SBA Payroll Protection Program or other coronavirus relief programs, such as the Montana Business Stabilization or Adaptability Grant, or the FSA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. However, all Tribal businesses are encouraged to apply regardless of former awards.

Funding for CSKT Small Business Relief Grants is allocated by the U.S. Department of Treasury as designated by the CARES Act to aid in the recovery and revitalization of Tribal-member businesses impacted by the global health pandemic.

Eligibility requirements and information needed are listed below. Questions may be directed to info@csktbusinessrelief.com, Tina Begay at 406-544-1245, or James Bible at 406-883-4317. If business owners need assistance with the online application portal, they may contact the Submittable customer support team at support@submittable.com or submittable.com/help/submitter.

Grant eligibility requirements:

·       Must be a Flathead Reservation-based company

·       Must be an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

·       Must be registered as a Preference 1 business in good standing with the CSKT Indian Preference Office, OR have a certificate in good standing from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office, OR have a certificate in good standing from CSKT if an LLC registered with CSKT, OR an active Montana Livestock Brand registration certificate

·       Must have filed 2019 taxes for the business

·       Businesses established in January or February 2020 must be able to provide receipts, invoices and payroll reports showing 2020 revenue and expenses

Information requested in grant application:

·       Estimated financial loss

·       Estimated cost to re-establish business operations

·       2019 Federal Income Tax Return showing business’ annual revenue and expenses for 2019

·       Payroll reports from March 2020 to present (if business has employees)

·       Copy of up-to-date Indian Preference Office certificate, livestock brand registration, certificate in good standing from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office, or a certificate in good standing from CSKT if business is an LLC registered with CSKT