Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Author: Robert Johnson

More Help Available for Venues Impacted by COVID-19 (Shuttered Venue)

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On March 17, 2021

Relief may soon be available to artistic venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, venues affected by the pandemic may be eligible for grants equal to 45 percent of their gross earned revenue, with $10 million being the maximum amount available for a single grant award. The SVOG program was created in December 2020 as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, P.L. 116-260. The program was initially funded with $15 billion and will receive an additional $1.25 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act, H.R. 1319. Eligible entities covered under the program include: Live venue operators or promoters Theatrical producers Live performing arts organization operators Relevant museum operators, zoos, and aquariums that meet specific criteria Motion picture theater operators Talent representatives Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements Qualified entities must also have been in operation as of February 28, 2020, and have applied for or received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program on or after December 27, 2020. Grant funds may be used for expenses, which include: Payroll costs Rent payments Utility payments Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal) Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal) on any indebtedness...

Restaurants Receive Additional Support Under the American Rescue Plan of 2021

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On March 12, 2021

President Biden recently signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319 (the “Act”) into law on March 11, 2021. The Act will send aid to millions of Americans still recovering from the global COVID-19 pandemic. Of particular interest to the restaurant industry, the Act provides the industry with additional assistance through the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (the “Fund”). Section 5003 (Support for Restaurants), Title IV (Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship) provides support to restaurants as follows: Fund: A total of $28.6 billion is appropriated for a new program at the Small Business Administration (SBA) offering assistance to restaurants and other food and drink establishments. Of this amount, $5 billion is set aside for businesses with less than $500,000 in 2019 annual revenue. Restaurant Revitalization Grants: Grants are available for up to $10 million per entity (and affiliates), with a limitation of $5 million per physical location up to 20 locations. Revitalization grants are calculated by subtracting 2020 revenue from 2019 revenue. During the first 21 days post enactment of the Act, priority will be given to applications from restaurants owned and operated by women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Revitalization grants may be used for a wide variety of expenses, including payroll, mortgage, rent, utilities, supplies, food...

American Rescue Plan of 2021 Expands Paycheck Protection Program to Additional Nonprofit Entities

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On March 12, 2021

President Biden recently signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319 (the “Act”) into law on March 11, 2021. The Act will send aid to millions of Americans still recovering from the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Act modifies certain provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP Program”) in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, expanding the eligibility of certain nonprofits to participate in the PPP Program. Section 5001 (Modifications to Paycheck Protection Program) of the Act amends the PPP Program as follows: 1. Section 5001(a)(1) of the Act expands the eligibility of nonprofits to include a new category termed “additional covered nonprofit entity” – which are nonprofits listed in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code other than 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(6)s, or 501(c)(19)s – to receive an initial PPP Program, provided that: The organization does not receive more than 15 percent of receipts from lobbying activities; The lobbying activities do not comprise more than 15 percent of activities; The cost of lobbying activities of the organization did not exceed $1 million during the most recent tax year that ended prior to February 15, 2020; and The organization employs not more than 300 employees. In addition: Larger nonprofits are now eligible for the PPP Program by striking the application...

Significant Changes Coming To the Paycheck Protection Program

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On June 5, 2020

As of 6/3/20, over $100 billion in PPP funding was still available from SBA authorized participating lenders. Today, President Trump signed HR7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. The bill changes specific loan forgiveness provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPP was a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) passed by Congress to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Companies or organizations who secured PPP loans are cautioned and advised to review the new legislation very carefully, as detailed below. Under PPP, eligible businesses could apply for forgivable loans of 2.5 times their average monthly payroll or $10 million, whichever is the lesser amount. A recipient can have 100 percent of its PPP loan forgiven if it uses the proceeds of the loan on the following items during the eight weeks beginning on the date of loan origination: Payroll costs as defined by the CARES Act; Any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation); Any payment on any covered rent obligation; and Any covered utility payment. Loan recipients were also required to spend at least 75 percent of the loan proceeds on payroll costs. The new law contains the following...

UPDATE: Federal Reserve Board Expands Main Street Lending Program

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On May 7, 2020

After receiving extensive public comment during the past month, the Federal Reserve announced on April 30, 2020 that it will expand the scope and eligibility of its Main Street Lending Program (“Program”). The Federal Reserve’s recent action follows the unprecedented steps taken by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve on April 9, 2020, to provide up to $2.3 trillion in credit facilities to households, employers, and state and local governments in response to the COVID-19 emergency’s impact on the U.S. economy. Gibbons previously covered these newly announced programs in a client alert. The Program facilitates lending to small and medium sized businesses. The Federal Reserve received 2,200 submissions relating to the Program, and on April 30, 2020 issued two updated Term Sheets and an initial Term Sheet, which are summarized as follows: The Program comprises the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF), and the new Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF). Below is a side-by-side comparison chart and additional details about the Program. Program Loan Options MSNLF MSPLF MSELF Term 4 years 4 years 4 years Minimum Loan Size $500,000 $500,000 $10,000,000 Maximum Loan Size Lesser of $25M or 4x 2019 adjusted EBITDA Lesser of $25M or 6x 2019 adjusted EBITDA Lesser of $200M, 35% of...

COVID-19: Federal Reserve Announces $2.3 Trillion in Loans

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Posted in Federal Legislation

On April 15, 2020

On April 9, 2020, acting with the approval and consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve took unprecedented additional action using its statutory emergency lending powers to provide immediate support to the national economy. In so doing, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve adopted a series of measures that will provide up to $2.3 trillion in credit facilities and loans to households, employers, and state and local governments, consistent with the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending powers under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343(3)). In particular, the Federal Reserve will adopt or expand on the following programs: Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF) and Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF): The Federal Reserve will purchase up to $600 billion in loans, and the Department of Treasury, through Section 4027 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (“CARES Act”), will make a $75 billion equity investment in a single common special purpose vehicle (SPV) in connection with the MSNLF and MSELF, both of which are designed to facilitate lending to small and medium sized businesses by eligible lenders (i.e., US insured depository institutions, US bank holding companies, and US savings and loan holding companies). The MSELF will provide four-year loans to companies employing up to 10,000 workers...

Financial Disaster Relief for Start-Ups – Yes, It Is Possible!

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Posted in Corporations

On March 24, 2020

The specific challenge we are addressing here is for start-ups and other early-stage businesses. Gibbons attorneys are heavily involved in advising businesses in all industries and of all sizes on the full range of state and federal coronavirus disaster relief programs available to them. Start-ups and other early-stage companies face particular challenges in obtaining governmental relief. Gibbons understands this and is here to help. With our strong commitment to start-ups and other early-stage businesses, we recognize your dire need for funds for survival, as well as growth, at this critical period. We also recognize that the federal and state application requirements seem staggering. Founding teams are confronted with overwhelming requests for tax returns, current financial statements, monthly sales figures, and similar requirements. Which aid program(s) should you pursue? How do you decide? How does a pre-revenue or newly launched start-up demonstrate to federal and state agencies substantial economic injury? How do you determine the best route for disaster assistance with the highest chance of short-term success and without being overwhelmed by red tape? What is its most recent pre-coronavirus valuation, and how was it justified – for example, thought independent third party investments or a verified order pipeline? How much economic loss has now occurred due to the crisis? How do you complete the forms...

NJEDA Steps Up With Funding for Approved Accelerators and Their Qualifying Cohorts With Exciting New $2.5 Million “NJ Accelerate” Program

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Posted in Corporations / State Legislation

On February 21, 2020

On February 11, 2020, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) approved a $2,500,000 pilot program labeled NJ Accelerate (“NJ Accelerate”). The NJEDA expects to attract more accelerator and start-up activities to the State by encouraging the increased participation of New Jersey based entrepreneurs in accelerator programs that provide specialized expertise, mentorship, and technical assistance. The NJ Accelerate program will be organized in a two-step process: (1) accelerator operators will be pre-qualified (“Approved Accelerators”) and, (2) financial assistance will be provided from the NJEDA to domestic New Jersey early-stage companies that complete a program at an Approved Accelerator. With a $2,500,000 pilot program budget, the NJEDA anticipates that approximately 10-15 companies will be supported in the NJ Accelerate pilot program in addition to the support and engagement of at least five Approved Accelerators. Domestic companies from an approved accelerator and meeting certain requirements are eligible to receive direct loan support from the NJEDA up to $250,000 in the form of a 10 year convertible promissory note and will be in the same amount of investment dollars funded into the start-up by the Approved Accelerator. There will be no repayment obligation for the first seven years. Domestic companies are also eligible to receive rent support up to $25,000. Additional benefits include funds for Approved Accelerator programmatic...

Equity Crowdfunding Turns Six Months Old: Looking at Title III for Investors and Businesses

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Posted in Regulatory Counseling and Departmental Action

On December 5, 2016

November 16, 2016 marked the six-month anniversary of Title III of the JOBS Act of 2012 being fully implemented. Title III and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) allow businesses to raise capital through “equity crowdfunding.” This is the act of raising capital from others via the internet, by seeking small investments from a large number of potential investors through the use of licensed broker-dealers or internet funding portals. These investments are exempt from the traditional security registration requirements. People are generally familiar with existing “crowdfunding” platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe which have been in existence since at least 2008. These platforms practice rewards-based crowdfunding.  Backers give a “campaign” money, and the backer gets back a “reward,” i.e., a thank you note or the first edition of a product. Title III, however, allows for “equity crowdfunding,” which is the ability to buy ownership in an early-stage company and hopefully reap a monetary return on that investment. Instead of getting that thank you note or new product, the investor is getting a piece of equity in the company he or she just invested in. Many industry professionals and commentators expected “equity crowdfunding” to be a “slow burn” due to regulatory hurdles, a lack...

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