City of San Antonio Hospitality Grants

The City of San Antonio and the Houston Street TIRZ are supporting $14.25 million to fund small business grants for the Hospitality Industry, with an emphasis on food & beverage small businesses. The City of San Antonio Hospitality Grant application period is open from Monday March 15th at 10 a.m. central time to Monday April 5th at 11:00 p.m. central time. City Council approved the funding in February 2021 with a launch date of March 15, 2021 and awards issued during June 2021. Below is information about the program and application process. All completed applications will be reviewed for eligibility and prioritize based on City of San Antonio priority areas.

The qualifications for the grant program:

Hospitality Industry businesses to include: Restaurant & Catering; Lodging; Travel and Transportation; and Entertainment and Recreation. See NAICS Code list here.
Grant applicant must be authorized representative of business;
Annual gross business revenue less than $8 million;
Businesses must be located within San Antonio City limits and willing to remain within boundaries for at least one calendar year from the date of grant award and not in the process of filing for bankruptcy;
Businesses must demonstrate a comparative loss of at least 25% of revenue for the period beginning March 1, 2020 in one quarter due to negative impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Business must have been established prior to February 1, 2020;
Businesses that received a grant through City Grant Program or Bexar County LiftFund Program are eligible for grant consideration. However, previous awarded grants funded with CARES Funds will be accounted for as part of the application scoring.
Commitment to the Greater. Safer. Together. Pledge.

The following type of businesses are not eligible for consideration: state or national franchises; sexually-oriented businesses; and businesses in which a City employee or officer has a financial interest, as defined in Sec. 2-53 of the City’s Ethics Code.

Grant award limitations include:

Limited to one per each physical address within the City of San Antonio
Only one grant may be awarded per business with more than one location
Grant applicants are only eligible to receive one grant award

Grants will be available in the following amounts:

Self Employed businesses up to $10,000
Microbusinesses with 1-10 employees up to $20,000
Small businesses with 11-20 employees up to $50,000
Small businesses with 21+ employees up to $75,000

Grant prioritization of businesses is as follows:

6% of funds are designated to Transportation/Travel
10% of funds are designated to Entertainment
12% of funds are designated to Lodging
72% of funds are designated to Food and Beverage

The Recovery Grant Program is not a first come, first serve basis

The City’s priorities include examination of a business based on the following:

Business location and combined score on City’s Equity Atlas up to 20 points;
Race, ethnicity, gender and veteran status of the business owner up to 30 points;
Access to other COVID-19 funding up to 20 points.

Created by the Office of Equity, the Equity Atlas highlights the demographics and disparities within the city. You can learn more about the tool here: https://www.sanantonio.gov/Equity/Initiatives/Atlas

Business Documents Required:

The grant application will require verification of pertinent documentation. Any applicants that are unable to provide the required documents may continue to submit a grant application for review.

The documentation required for grant application submittal includes:

Business entity formation document (document from Bexar County or Secretary of State with date of formation) prior to February 2020. Other documentation to prove entity formation may be acceptable;
FINANCIALS:
- Proven 25% quarterly loss: Three Months (Quarter) Business Bank Statements/Company Financials in 2019 & 2020;
- Proven 25% annual loss: Tax returns from 2019 and 2020;
- Proven 25% loss in 2020: 1st Quarter 2020 with other 2020 Quarter;
2019 Tax returns validating business revenue;
Payroll Documentation with employee listing/count and IRS 941 for 4th quarter 2020;
Valid Personal Identification
Proof of Business location inside City of San Antonio;
Proof of business owner race, ethnicity and gender;
Military DD214 or honorable discharge documentation (if applicable for ownership)

Program Timeline:

Accepting applications Monday, March 15^th through Monday, April 5^th
All grantees awarded by Monday, June 7^th

Questions?

Speak with a representative during our Open Office Hours.

City of San Antonio Hospitality Grants Info Sessions:

FAQs

Which types of businesses fall under the hospitality industry?

Please check your tax return and see if your NAICS, or “business activity code”, is included in the list of eligible NAICS codes.
See NAICS Code list here

Does the business have to be within the City limits to be eligible for this grant program?

Yes, the business must be within the City limits to be eligible. This tool can help you determine if your business is location within San Antonio City Limits: https://www.sanantonio.gov/council/find-my-council-member

How do I calculate 25% losses in the application?

Please select one of the following options to calculate 25% business gross revenue loss due to COVID 19 Pandemic:

Proven 25% quarterly loss: Three Months (Quarter) Business Bank Statements/Company Financials in 2019 & 2020;
Proven 25% annual loss: Tax returns from 2019 and 2020;
Proven 25% loss in 2020: 1st Quarter 2020 with other 2020 Quarter;

Will 1099 contract employees be counter?

Yes, we will calculate the number of full time equivalent (FTE) employees, including 1099 workers.

How is the $8 million annual revenue cap determined?

Based on gross revenue on your 2019 tax return.

Can I apply for more than one of my businesses?

No, you can only apply for one business for this program.

If I have more than one business, how is the annual revenue amount calculated?

The annual revenue amount will only be reviewed for the location listed on the application and not the total of all businesses owned by the applicant.

If I am a local franchiser, is my business eligible?

Yes, if it meets all other criteria.

Are locally owned hotels that are part of a national or state franchise eligible?

No, only local, independent hotels.

Are short-term-rentals (STRs) able to apply?

Yes, STRs that can provide proof of a formed entity, proof of valid, active City permit and proof of current, paid hotel occupancy taxes are eligible to apply.

If I received a PPP or EIDL loan, can my business still quality for the program?

Yes.

If I received a City or County Grant or loan (funded by the CARES Act) assistance last year, am I eligible to apply for the grant?

Yes, businesses are eligible to apply and the amount of previously received funding will be factored into calculation of grant score.

If I applied for a COVID grant or loan last year, do I have to re-apply?

Yes.

If my business opened after February 2020, can I apply?

No, the business must have been registered with the county or state and operating on or before February 1, 2020.

Are city employees eligible to apply for a grant?

No, City employees are not eligible for a grant award.

If I am eligible for this grant, are there any other resources for me?

Yes, for assistance please visit www.liftfund.com/contact-us