Developed to help local businesses across the state overcome the economic challenges of COVID-19, the Oklahoma Business Relief Program (OBRP) offers vital funding for qualifying businesses that have suffered revenue loss due to the pandemic. Governor Kevin Stitt has designated $50 million in Federal CARES Act funds for the program.
Starting June 29, Oklahoma businesses can request to apply for OBRP through participating financial institutions. The financial institutions will evaluate applications based on the program rules and make a preliminary determination of business eligibility.
Applications and supporting documents will be submitted by the financial institution to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for a final determination of eligibility. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and funds will be provided to the business through the financial institution; however, at least twenty-percent of the program funds will be designated for minority owned businesses.
Please see Program Rules for full details.
Program Timeline
June 29th - July 10th, 2020 -Business Application Period
July 10th, 2020 - Application Deadlines
July 17th, 2020 - Fund Distribution
Application Process
Businesses should contact a participating financial institution to apply for the program.
The financial institution will help the applicant collect the correct financial information, make a preliminary determination of eligibility, and complete the application, which will then be transmitted to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce along with supporting documents by the financial institution.
Commerce will make final determination of eligibility and transmit the funds to the financial institution.
The grant funds will be given to the business by the participating financial institution to be used for business-related expenses.
Business and Financial Documents
Prepare for an application through your financial institution by gathering these documents in advance.
- Oklahoma driver’s license, Oklahoma state identification card, or passport.
- Any relevant and accurate documents typically maintained in the ordinary course of business to show revenue received from business activities from January to May of 2020.
- Any relevant and accurate document typically maintained in the ordinary course of business to show revenue received from business activities from January through May of 2019 if the business was operating prior to the year 2020.
- Payroll documentation indicating the business’s average 2019 monthly payroll, if the business was operating in 2019.
- Payroll documentation indicating the average of the business’s January and February 2020 monthly payroll
- Documents proving current business ownership, formation prior to 1/1/2020 and continuous business activity from 1/1/2020 through the date of the grant application.
- Proof of payment of the business’s most recent quarterly or yearly taxes with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, depending on what the business is required to file.
- Passport, Birth Certificate or Tribal Identification Card required if applying as a Minority Owned Business
Grant Details
Funds
- Maximum of $25,000 per grant
- Grant amount equal to two months of average total payroll based on either:
- Average of 2019 total payroll; or,
- Average of January-February 2020 total payroll
- This is a grant program and not a business loan.
Usage
In general, grant funds may be used for business expenses for which the business has not or will not receive reimbursement from another source such as other federal, state or city grants or insurance proceeds.
Program Eligibility
Eligible Companies
Businesses must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Located in Oklahoma
- Registered and in good standing with the Oklahoma Secretary of State
- Current on their most recent quarterly or yearly taxes with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, depending on when the business is required to file Must have suffered a revenue loss of 25% or more from March through May 2020 that is substantially caused by the impact of COVID-19 compared to any one of the following time periods:
- January 2019 through December of 2019
- March 2019 through May of 2019
- January 2020 through February of 2020Operated continuously in Oklahoma from at least 1/1/2020 through the date of the receipt of application, and is a going concern for the future.
- Eligible business types include but are not limited to sole proprietorships, independent contractors, partnerships, corporations and nonprofit entities such as 501(C)(3) and 501(C)(6).
- Business is not an ineligible business
Ineligible Industries & Companies
- Publicly traded companies
- Government entities or agencies
- Banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, finance companies, factoring companies, investment companies, mortgage companies, bail bond companies, & other businesses whose stock in trade is money and mortgage companies
- Private clubs
- Lobbying firms
- Businesses that generate any part of its income from gambling activities, adult activities or activities performed in violation of state or federal law.
- Businesses participating in or expecting to receive funds from the Oklahoma Manufacturing Reboot Program or Oklahoma Bounce Back Program
- Businesses that do not meet the definition of “eligible businesses”
- Businesses that dedicate 50% or more of their time or resources to lobbying activities
- Businesses that exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities