Grants are still available for local businesses hurting due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release from Cowley First-Cowley County Economic Development Partnership Director Karri Falletti.
Cowley First, Cowley County Economic Development Partnership, on behalf of Cowley County, was awarded a grant through the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce in August 2020.
Eleven grants have been awarded since August to business ranging from construction, insurance, childcare, hospitality, and healthcare.
Funds are still available to businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and were in operation prior to January 1, 2020.
This grant provides reimbursement of qualified expenses to those that experienced stresses or closure and working to reopen. If your businesses received other funds as part of CARES Act, such as PPP or EIDL, you may still qualify.
Cowley First is accepting applications for CDBG-CV business grants on an ongoing basis. Grants are limited to either $4,000 for businesses with 5 or fewer employees or $12,000 for businesses with 6-50 employees.
The grant has two primary qualification guidelines: 1- job retention and 2- associated wage. The purpose of the grant is to assist in retaining jobs for employees that meet low-to-moderate income guidelines for Cowley County.
Expenses requested for reimbursement must meet the requirements outlined in the CARES Act and includes working capital costs such as payroll, utilities, rent, and inventory. Businesses that received EIDL, PPP or other federal program funds are eligible to apply, but all applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure there are no duplications in use of funds.
Staff are available to provide one-on-one assistance in completing the application. Details and application information can be found and downloaded at www.cowleycounty.org/CDBG-CVgrant.
You can also email cowleyfirst@cowleycounty.org or call 620-221-9951 or 620-442-3094 with questions or to receive a copy of the application.
