The grants for companies that operate buses, passenger vessels and pilot vessels are available now, but business owners will need to act fast; the application period closes July 19.
June 30, 2021 – Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) encouraged business owners who operate charter buses, passenger vessels, school buses and pilot vessel services to apply for grants Congress created through the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) grants program.
The grants could help fixed-route bus lines, water taxis, tour companies and other transportation businesses that lost at least 25 percent of their annual revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business owners that receive the grants can use them to maintain payroll, hire back employees who were laid off and cover applicable overhead and operational expenses, but they need to act fast. The deadline to apply is Monday, July 19, 2021.
“Now that Americans have vaccines, they need rides to school, to work, to go out to eat, or to get to a wedding they put on hold. The small businesses we counted on to take us places before the pandemic need some help getting back on their feet,” said Rep. Moulton.
“If you run a transportation business that’s taken a hit because of the pandemic, I hope that you apply for these grants and they help get you back in action.”
Congress created the CERTS program through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. It covers motorcoach, school bus, passenger vessel, and pilot vessel companies.
Congress provided the Treasury Department $2 billion in grants which the department will send to eligible companies that certify they have experienced an annual revenue loss of 25 percent or more as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19.
CERTS grant funds are primarily to cover payroll costs but may also be used to cover other expenses related to the pandemic like the cost of cleaning services or masks and other protective measures from COVID-19 for workers and customers. It can also fund continued operations and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities; rent, leases, insurance, and interest on regular debt service.
The CERTS portal is now open, but people need to move quickly. Applications are only accepted through July 19, 2021.
To be considered for a CERTS grant, an application must be completed, electronically signed, and submitted through the portal by 11:59 PM ET on July 19. After the deadline, the portal will not accept new applications, and users will not be able to finish draft applications in the portal.
For more information about the CERTS grant or to apply please visit: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-american-industry/coronavirus-economic-relief-for-transportation-services