CARBON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES MICRO-GRANT PROGRAM

Financial aid in the form of micro-grants are now available for small businesses in Carbon County. The Carbon County Economic Development Corporation has developed the “Moving Forward Together Micro-Grant Program” and will begin taking applications at 8 am on Monday, April 13 via email. The purpose of the program is to give financial resources to local, small businesses adversely affected by Governor Gordon’s executive orders in response to the pandemic. The process is concise and efficient so our businesses can get back to work and to grow and thrive.
The micro-grant will be distributed to qualified applicants based on need and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. A waiting list will be made if necessary. Businesses must be located within Carbon County and have less than fifty employees. The number of employees will determine the amount of the grant. Those with no employees are eligible for $500, one to three employees might receive $1250, 4-10 employees are eligible for $1750 and businesses with 11-50 employees may receive $2500.
“The amounts of the grants are strategic, based on our funds available, and so that we can help as many businesses as possible.” Said CCEDC President, Chris Iacovetto. “We are trying to get this launched as soon as possible and hope to be writing checks on April 17th,” he added. The approval process should take only a few minutes. If approved, additional documents will be required: a comparison of profit and loss for March 2019 and 2020, and proof of the number employees held in March.
The CCEDC chose to give grants instead of loans so that the process could be more streamlined. “We would anticipate that some businesses might get back on track in 24 months and at that time, they could pay the CCEDC back. It is optional. But any returned funds could be used for other businesses,” according to Bob Stipe, CCEDC President-elect.
Detailed guidelines and the application form will be available by going to the website http://www.micrograntccedc.com starting today. Owners or managers can download the form, fill it out and email it back to micrograntccedc@gmail.com . Questions may be directed to Stacy Crimmins at 307-329-7150.