Hotel Relief Program

Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds, this new program implemented by the Office of Planning and Budget will provide direct aid to hotels who can demonstrate a negative economic impact of COVID-19. A total of $150 million will be allocated for the establishment of an economic recovery fund for Hotels impacted by COVID-19.

Program Contact: [email protected]

Application Period: May 15, 2023- Until Funding is Expended

Program Total: $150,000,000

Award Amount: Varies (5% of demonstrated revenue loss of 15% or greater)

Grantee Type: Beneficiary

Eligible Applicants: Owners of hotels or bed-and-breakfasts operating during 2020 who meet the eligibility criteria outlined with the NOFO.

Eligibility Criteria:

You are eligible for grant funds if you meet the following criteria.

• You are a hotel or bed-and-breakfast with NAICS Code 721110 or 721191.
• You are in good standing with the state of Georgia’s Secretary of State’s Office.
• You are located within the state of Georgia.
• You are subject to the accommodations tax.
• You were established prior to April 2019.
• You can demonstrate negative impact of COVID-19 by providing federal income tax return showing 15% or greater reduction in revenue adjusted for COVID-19 costs in 2020 over 2019. (You can provide FEIN, W9, and a federal and state return from calendar year 2019 and 2020.)
• You do not owe any state taxes.

Eligible Applicants must demonstrate the negative impact of COVID-19 by providing:

• A summary of your changes in EBITDA from 2019 to 2020. A narrative on what contributed to the changes in EBITDA from 2019 to 2020.
• List of COVID-19 relief funds received by your organization (local, state, and federal) and enter amount received and how these funds were used to address the impact of COVID-19 on the organization.
• Information on an existing operational gap after receiving relief funds.

Eligible Use of Funds:

Funds will be awarded for operational costs associated with maintaining and running a property based on the demonstrated loss incurred by the hotel or bed-and-breakfast. Examples of operational costs include but are not limited to rent, insurance, wages, utility costs, sales and accounting, marketing, and travel agent commissions. 

Unallowable uses: 

• Property and other taxes
• Lobbying
• Debt service
• To replenish financial reserves
• To satisfy any obligation resulting from a judgment or settlement

More information is forthcoming. 

Required application documents include but are not limited to the following:

• Federal and State 2019 and 2020 tax returns with SSN redacted
• 2019 and 2020 State Sales and Use tax returns with SSN redacted
• Lead Sheet for Sales and Use Tax returns by month (provided in the application)
• Georgia Department of Revenue Clearance letter
• Contract with management companies only if your entity needs to explain EIN filings
• Loan provider letter of forgiveness, if applicable
• Trade Secret Affidavit , if applicable. 
• Vendor Management Form and W-9 (link provided in the application)