Municipal Small Business Grant Program

Application Period Is Now Closed

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on our community and economy, including many of our small businesses. As we look to recovery and resilience, the City of Twin Falls is committed to providing resources to those affected by the pandemic.

The Twin Falls City Council has designated $500,000 from its allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds provided by the State of Idaho to create a grant program that provides financial relief to local businesses and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible Businesses 

  • Located within City of Twin Falls municipal boundaries;
  • 500 or less employees;
  • Has an official EIN number;
  • Is in good standing and not federally prohibited from receiving funds;
  • Does not exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities; 
  • Does not directly lobby federal or state officials (defined as having had a registered lobbyist at any point during 2020).

Grant funds must cover expenses that:

  • Are necessary expenditures due to the COVID-19 public health emergency;
  • Were not accounted for in the businesses’ operating budget approved as of March 17, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act);
  • Were incurred beginning June 20, 2020 and end on December 30, 2020;
  • Were not previously reimbursed by other federal or state loans, grants or insurance programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Idaho Rebound Grant for Small Businesses. 

Grant Amount

Eligible businesses and organizations can receive up to $10,000 in grant funds in the form of reimbursements for eligible expenses.

Approved Small Business Grants Opens in new window

Eligible Expenses 

Business must have a qualified business interruption or expense caused by COVID-19 related incidents or decisions, including but not limited to local closure orders, need for personal protective equipment, social distancing requirements, increased costs, disrupted supply network, etc. These costs may include: 

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Inventory
  • Equipment
  • Cleaning/disinfection supplies 
  • Rent 
  • Utilities (pursuant to Federal regulations, City of Twin Falls utility costs are not eligible for reimbursement)

*The full list of eligibility criteria is outlined in the Small Business Grant Program Description.

Application Process

  1. Review the City of Twin Falls Small Business Grant Program Description thoroughly to determine if your business is eligible. 
  2. Complete the IDA-20 form (required). 
  3. Compile eligible expense documentation including invoices, billing statements and proof of payment. If requesting rent reimbursement, you must include an executed lease agreement. All required documentation must be in PDF format.
  4. Complete the online application (required).

 Criterios del Programa de Subvención Para Negocios Pequeños

For more information, contact Mandi Thompson at mthompson@tfid.org or (208) 735-7237.

Small Business Grant

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if my business is a Twin Falls business?

A: To be eligible for TFSBG funds, a business must have a physical presence within Twin Falls city limits.

Q: My business has a Twin Falls business or mailing address, but also operates outside of the city limits. Am I eligible for TFSBG funds? 

A: Grant funding is available for reimbursement of expenses attributed to the operational impacts and facilities with Twin Falls city limits. 

Q: I have a business that is operated from my home. Can I seek reimbursement of funds for my mortgage?

A: No. Mortgages are considered debt and not eligible for reimbursement. 

Q: I submitted my application but need to add documents and/or made an error with the amount I requested. Who should I contact for help?

A: Please email mthompson@tfid.org with the information that you need to fix. We will add the comment to your application.

Q: Can my business receive funds for reimbursement of expenses if  have already received Idaho Rebounds Grant funds or a Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan? 

A: Yes, provided that the reimbursement you are seeking is for purposes for which you have not received other COVID-19 grant funding. 

Q: Can I receive the grant funding upfront to use for future expenses?

A: No. Grant funding is available for reimbursement of funds already spent. 

Q: What if I am unable to fill our the application online?

A: If you are unable to complete the application online, please contact Mandi Thompson at mthompson@tfid.org or (208) 735-7237.      

This grant is made possible through the work of Governor Brad Little, State Controller Brandon Woolf, the Association of Idaho Cities and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Governor's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) created this grant to help local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling cities to provide economic aid within their communities.