Wrangell announces COVID-19 economic relief programs

The City and Borough of Wrangell (City) will begin rolling out a series of programs of economic relief for businesses, non-profits and residents in Wrangell who have been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The City has designated up to $915,000 of the CARES Act funds received from the State to these assistance programs which are intended to provide economic relief in the areas of most need. Each program will require a separate application be completed by each business, non-profit or resident. Applications with detailed information about requirements and eligibility will be available at the City's website: http://www.wrangell.com or http://www.wrangellcovid19.org. All programs will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The City's goal is to keep the application process as simple as possible, while also meeting the justification required by the fund source. The following programs will become available in July with the first programs released on July 8 and other programs following shortly thereafter. Questions can be emailed to wrangell@wrangell.com with a phone number. Staff will respond by email or phone as quickly as possible (within 24 to 48 hours).

Food Assistance: The goal of this program is to provide food security with free meals and/or food to families, seniors, kids, and individuals that need assistance due to financial hardship and food insecurity caused by COVID-19. The program will provide funding to existing local entities (businesses or non-profits) showing an increased need in the food programs that they currently offer. Restaurants may also offer free meal assistance to those who need it. Local entities may request up to $3,000 to provide these services. Documentation and reporting of services provided is required.

Mask Cash: In order to encourage both local shopping and public health and safety, the City has been working with the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce to randomly reward people wearing masks or cloth face coverings while shopping downtown. Shoppers wearing masks will be provided a $10 voucher for purchases in participating stores.

Social Services: The goal of this program is to provide needed social services to families, seniors, kids, and individuals that need assistance due to hardships caused by COVID-19. The program will provide funds to existing local businesses or non-profits that are seeing an increase in need for social services, including

services to address domestic violence, homelessness, single parent support, child welfare, childcare, emotional/mental/medical assistance, and public information dissemination. Eligible entities may request up to $3,000.

Vessel Repair Haul-Out Lift Fee Assistance: The goal of this program is to mitigate negative impacts of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and supply chain disruptions to The Marine Service Center (MSC) businesses which lost considerable revenues in March-May 2020. This program will meet this goal by providing a 50% reimbursement to a vessel owner toward the cost of a lift fee in the MSC from July 8 through November 30, 2020, or until the funds for this program are depleted.

Vessel Repair Extended Stay Assistance: The goal of this program is to mitigate negative effects of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and supply chain disruptions by providing assistance for boat storage fees if a vessel owner was required to stay in the work zone yard 5 days longer than otherwise necessary due to impacts from COVID-19. The City will reimburse each eligible applicant up to $300. This program is retroactive to March 11 - Alaska's Disaster Declaration for stays through May 31, 2020.

Targeted Visitor Industry Relief: This program is aimed at assisting Wrangell businesses most impacted by COVID-19 through either mandatory closure requirements, travel restrictions and/or cancellations by cruise ships. This program focuses on the visitor industry businesses that are the most critically impacted, including excursions, restaurants and bars, accommodations, and non-essential retail businesses. Each eligible business will receive $3,000.

General Small Business Relief: This program is aimed at assisting local businesses and commercial fishermen that operate within Wrangell and are directly impacted by COVID-19. Each eligible business or fisherman will receive $1,000.

Business or Non-Profit Support for Accounting or Professional Services: This program is aimed at helping local entities in need of services to help apply for federal or state COVID-19 relief programs. Local eligible entities will receive a $200 reimbursement for the professional services firm providing these services.

Local Spending Voucher: This program is aimed at assisting Wrangell businesses impacted by COVID-19 through mandatory closure requirements and stay at home orders. The City will be working with the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce to implement a Local Spending Voucher program intended to incentivize local shopping in Wrangell. On certain dates to be announced by the Chamber, shoppers will receive a $10 voucher for every $50 in purchases at participating stores.