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Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant (TATO)

The Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant (TATO) focuses on businesses in the travel and tourism industry. Many of these businesses continue to suffer from the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While these businesses face dramatic declines in revenue, they continue to be pillars in both rural and urban communities across North Dakota. This grant will help travel agents and tour operators survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The grant will be offered using the following criteria:

  • Eligible businesses must prove a 50% revenue loss from 2019 to 2020. 
  • Amount awarded will be based on 75% of lost revenue, capped at $100,000. 

Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant funds will be used to reimburse eligible entities for lost revenue.  

Please note, there is NO APPEALS process for the Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant. Providing all required documentation and appropriate justification for lost revenue will ensure your best chance for success with the grant.   

 

Application is now closed. 

ALL PREVIOUS APPLICANTS - CLICK HERE FOR PORTAL ACCESS

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BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY

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Multiple locations or businesses?

  • One application per location/business
    • The same owner with multiple locations/businesses must submit one application per location. Each location will be capped at $100,000 per application.

Who's Eligible?

  • A travel agent who books commission-based travel for private individuals or companies.
  • A tour company that schedules tour details and itineraries in North Dakota.
  • A transportation company that provides bus services to tour planners for tours either originating in North Dakota or receptive operators who provide local services to tour companies bringing groups into North Dakota.

To be eligible for the Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant (TATO), a business must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Business must prove a 50% revenue loss from 2019 to 2020.
  • Have a permanent physical location in North Dakota (P.O. boxes or mailing addresses are not considered a physical location).
  • Business must be established on or prior to March 1, 2019.
  • Be a North Dakota-based business registered and in good standing with the North Dakota Secretary of State or applicable tribal government at the time of application. Sole proprietors not operating under a trade name, do not have to be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State. If a sole proprietor is operating under a trade name, they must be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State. Please click link for more information https://sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/business-structures/sole-proprietorship     

Ineligible Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant (TATO) Businesses Include:

  • National companies that sell to North Dakotans but do not have a full-time employee who lives in North Dakota. 
  • Corporations that have staff dedicated to purchasing and arranging travel for employees. 
  • Military based travel agents or others employed by government entities. 
  • Attractions that offer guided services and tours. 

Grant Amount (How much funding can I receive from this grant):

  • Amount awarded will be based on 75% of lost revenue, capped at $100,000. 
  • Example 1: 
    • $100,000 revenue in 2019 
    • $50,000 revenue in 2020 
    • $50,000 of lost revenue multiplied by 75% (50,000 x .75 = $37,500) 
    • Award is $37,500 
  • Example 2: 
    • $1,000,000 revenue in 2019 
    • $500,000 revenue in 2020 
    • $500,000 of lost revenue multiplied by 75% (500,000 x .75 = $375,000) 
    • Award is capped at $100,000  
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ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE EXPENSES

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Accordion Section Title
Eligible Expenses

Amount of lost revenue from 2019 to 2020 for North Dakota based businesses.

Example: One office in Fargo, another in Moorhead, Minnesota. You must provide revenue breakdown showing 50% revenue lost from just the North Dakota office.

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Ineligible Expenses
  • Replacement of lost revenue for government entities (federal, state, county, city, etc.) is not allowed. 
  • Replacement of lost revenue from states other than North Dakota. 
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ELIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE 50% LOSS OF REVENUE:

  • Copy of federal tax return
    • Examples: form 1065, 1120S, 1040 Schedule C, 990T, 1120
    • Profit and loss statement from 2019 and 2020  
  • Documents must be clear, legible, and high-resolution.  
  • *If your business has not filed a 2020 tax return or has filed an extension, you must still provide proof of your 2020 revenue in the form of quarterly tax statements, business bank statements, etc. 

EXAMPLE OF INELIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE 50% LOSS IN REVENUE:

  • Handwritten documents

 

IF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED:

Please log into https://ndcom-prod.powerappsportals.us/ and provide missing documentation if your application requires additional information. You must submit the additional documentation within two business days (not including the weekend or holiday). Any unsubstantiated expenses will be automatically denied if missing information is not received within two business days. 

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For questions on the Travel Agent and Tour Operators Grant (TATO) Program, contact our business help line at comgrantsupport@nd.gov.

 

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