Business restoration assistance program applications now available

The Kansas Department of Revenue is currently accepting applications for the Southeast Kansas Business Restoration Assistance Program through June 30, according to a statement from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

The program has been established for the purpose of assisting businesses with less than 50 employees that were in operation in one of the affected counties and damaged by the flooding and other severe weather that occurred in Kansas in late June 2007, the FSACC statement said.

Counties included in the Southeast Kansas business restoration assistance program, which provides investment, job restoration, and rent assistance for affected businesses, include: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Edwards, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Pawnee, Wilson, and Woodson.

The business restoration assistance program includes investment assistance, which provides grants for affected businesses to rebuild or replace a facility, or to replace business machinery or equipment that was damaged or destroyed by flooding or other severe weather that took place in June 2007; job restoration assistance, which restores employment positions for businesses in affected counties; and rental assistance, which provides grants for an affected business to lease a temporary facility while a permanent facility is built.

Those businesses in affected counties that were damaged or destroyed may also qualify for a sale tax exemption passed by the Kansas Legislature this year. The legislation exempts all construction, reconstruction, materials, machinery and equipment costs to be incorporated into the damaged business facility. Replacement of damaged or destroyed fencing that is used to enclose land for agricultural purposes is also exempt from sales tax.

To receive the sales tax exemption, the business must submit a request for a project exemption certificate and application to KDOR by June 30. Businesses that incurred costs due to the reconstruction of damaged facilities and therefore paid sales tax on those purchases prior to June 5, 2008, may also request a refund of sales tax. To receive a refund of sales tax paid, the business must submit a refund request to KDOR.

All forms and instructions regarding the application process may be found online at http://www.ksrevenue.org/skbrp.htm. For more information, contact KDOR at (785) 296-3070.