Grant program available for small businesses hard hit by COVID shutdown

Application deadline is June 15

If you or another small business owner you know has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns of last year, help is available in the form of a $510,000 CDBG grant being administered by the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC). Eligible small businesses may qualify

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for as up to $5,000 in working capital assistance through the grant, with applications being accepted June 1st through June 15th of this year.

In order for a business to be eligible it must meet the following criteria: • Be located in West Central Wisconsin, defined as including Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk and St. Croix counties.

• Employ five or fewer employees • Have been established prior to February 5, 2020

• Be current on income and property taxes; and

• Be owned by a person (s) of qualifying income.

• Ineligible businesses include those engaged in crop and animal production, lessors of real estate, and non-profit organizations.

At the same time, the application acceptance period for the

Microenterprise Grant program is from June 1 through June 15. Eligible and interested businesses should visit www.wcwrpc.org

to download program details, eligibility criteria, and application.

Additional opportunities may also be found by going to the

Regional Business Fund, Inc. at www.rbfinc.org.