Grants of up to $5,000 are being made available to small businesses in Yuma County that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Yuma County government and the municipalities of Yuma, Wray and Eckley have established the Small Business Relief Program.
It is part of CARES Act funding the State of Colorado has appropriated to Yuma County through the Department of Local Affairs. Each entity will make the decisions on the grant applications from businesses within their jurisdiction.
In Yuma, the city council will make the final determination.
The funds are to be distributed to small businesses for reimbursement of business interruption costs, unbudgeted expenses, and other COVID-19 related expenses “reasonably necessary to satisfy the funds eligibility criteria.” The program is for expenses incurred since March 1, 2020.
A list of examples of ineligible expenditures was shared:
• Payroll or benefits expenses for employees whose duties are not substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• State shared Medicaid.
• Damages covered by insurance.
Applications are available from September 25 through October 9. Reimbursement may take up to 30 days to review, process and issue following the local government receiving the applications.
For businesses in unincorporated Yuma County, email Andrea Calhoon for an email submission at acalhoon@co.yuma.co.us, or get a hard copy application at 310 Ash, Suite A in Wray
For businesses in the City of Yuma, Scott Moore is the contact. Email r.moore@yumacolo.org, or pick up a hard copy application at City Hall at 320 S. Main.
For businesses in the Town of Eckley, email Aileen Vance at eckleytownhall@plainstel.com, or pick up a hard copy at 235 NW Morton St. in Eckley.
In Wray, City Manager James DePue is the contact, and email cityofwray@cityofwray.org for an email application, or pick up a hard copy at 245 W. 4th St.
Businesses must be located within Yuma County, have a maximum of 50 employees or less, as of March 1, 2020, is current on all sales, use, lodging and occupational tax payments to the county, and has experienced a business interruption and costs caused by required closures due to state executive order or public health order in response to COVID-19.
As mentioned above, the grants can be up to $5,000.
The application itself is 1-1/2 pages, and there is some accompanying documentation that is required.
