FAQ
Is a brewery excluded from JCGs as a “Food & Beverage Service”?
Any positions at the brewery that work in an on-site restaurant or tasting room would be excluded. Positions that work in the manufacturing and distribution capacities would be eligible.
Is “incentive pay” included in the wage-rate calculation?
The proposed scenario referred to a company where employees were paid a base wage plus “daily incentive pay” based on the number of “widgets” produced each day. This incentive pay is effectively a bonus and, therefore, cannot be included in the wage-rate calculations for the Job Creation Grant; only base wages are eligible. Bonuses and overtime are excluded from JCG calculations. Commissions and shift premiums are included.
Does a three-month waiting period for health coverage disqualify that position from eligibility?
No, so long as that position meets the other eligibility requirements and would be offered health insurance at the end of the three-month probationary period.
How does zone expiration impact company eligibility?
If a business qualified for Year 1 of JCG before the zone expired, they may complete their five-year term. However, they may not qualify for a subsequent five-year term. RPIGs do not carry over.
If the applicant is exempt from the attestation, what needs to be submitted with Form EZ-JCG?
If a business is exempt from the CPA Attestation because of its size, then the company is required to submit a printout of the Excel worksheet (both Tab 1 and Tab 2) with its hardcopy application.
Is there an e-signature option?
There is no e-signature option for EZ grant applications.
Do you still require hardcopies to be mailed in?
Hardcopies with original signatures are still required and should be mailed to the DHCD office. Included with the application should be the RPIG supplemental forms (if applicable), W-9, and the Attestation Report (or JCG Worksheet if exempt).
If you have additional questions, submit them to ezone@dhcd.virginia.gov.
Source: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development