City of Winchester
33 East Boscawen Street
Suite 100
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 667
-1815
www.developwinchesterva.com
EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING PROGRAM
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Disaster Relief Funding Program (DRF) is to assist Winchester city businesses that are being
affected by mandatory closures and changed operational policies brought upon by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Loan terms and conditions shall be structured on the basis of need and ability to repay. The Disaster Relief
Funding Program has a limited amount of funding, so not every loan will be approved.
Minimum standards include the following.
Loan Amount: The maximum amount of Disaster Relief Funding available for any single business enterprise shall
be $5,000. No payment will be required for the first six (6) months, or 180 days after the loan is disbursed.
Interest Rate: The interest rate shall be zero percent (0%) for the first twenty-four (24) months of the loan with a two
percent (2%) interest rate being applied to the remaining additional thirty-six (36) months of the loan term. Please
note, the Winchester EDA will reevaluate this interest rate policy after the first eighteen (18) months of the
Program's existence.
Loan Term and Repayment: The EDA wishes to keep the loan term at 5 years or less so that the Disaster Relief
Funding can be replenished.
Prepayment: There are no penalties for prepaying the loan in whole or in part at any time during the loan term.
ELIGIBLE AREAS
The area served by the DRF program shall be within the corporate limits of the City of Winchester, Virginia.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible businesses are defined to be “small businesses” operating at a full-time commercial location within the City
of Winchester corporate limits. Small businesses are those that generate under $2.5 million in annual revenue and
employ under twenty-five (25) employees. Applicants shall not be disqualified based on age, race, religion, color,
handicap, sex, physical condition, development disability, sexual orientation or national origin. Eligible businesses are
those that have been operating within the City of Winchester for at least six (6) months before the date of the
application.
DEMONSTRATION OF NEED
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their need for working capital as a result of a reduction of business due to
the COVID-19 Pandemic.
USE OF FUNDS
Funds may be used for costs associated with rent, utilities, payroll, inventory, etc.
INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Disaster Relief Funds will not be eligible for any member of the Winchester City Council; the EDA; or any other
official, employee, or agent of the City who exercises decision-making functions or responsibilities in connection
with the implementation of the DRF program is eligible for financial assistance under this program. No member
of Winchester City Council; the EDA, or any other official, employee, or agent of the City may financially benefit
from this program. Applicants who utilize a business address that is a home office, or operate inside of a
residential property may not apply for funds. Non-for profit entities may not apply.