Interim president of the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Sarah Cantrell has announced that Gov. Bill Lee’s state business relief program, which provides financial assistance to small businesses that had to temporarily close or suffered a substantial reduction in taxable sales due to COVID-19, received an expansion on Aug. 13. 

“The expanded program includes a number of additional eligible business types,” said Cantrell. ”In total, more than 40,000 small business owners across 60 business types are eligible for the program.”

“The deadline to certify for a relief payment is Sep. 25, 2020. The state asks eligible businesses to certify their business information at tntap.tn.gov/eservices,” Cantrell said. “Once a business completes its certification and the department verifies eligibility, the department will issue a relief payment. These payments range from $2,500 to $30,000 depending on the amount of the business’ gross sales.”

Cantrell said any questions regarding the program can be answered by calling the Tennessee Department of Revenue Taxpayer Services Division at (615) 253-0600. 

Cantrell also encouraged local small business owners with questions call the Chamber at 473-6611.

Cantrell also invited local businesses in need of an infrared thermometer to call the Chamber and request one. They’re free and are available until supplies run out.

The Chamber received 75 of the thermometers this week from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.