The Wrangell Economic Development Committee met last Thursday, Sept. 3, to review grants the city is offering to individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. They wanted to see how the community has received the grant opportunities so far, and what changes could be made to better improve them.
According to Economic Development Director Carol Rushmore, as of Sept. 2 they have received 189 applications,
requesting a total of $257,411 in assistance. Of these, 162 have been paid out in the total amount of $214,950. There were 17 applications that were denied for various reasons. Nine applications needed additional information as of Sept. 2.
The most common grant applications have been for small business assistance, 56 from fishermen and 57 from other businesses. Other applications they have received include 30 applications for targeted visitor assistance, 12 applications for accounting assistance, and 10 applications for the social service grant.
The small business grant, according to the application, is aimed at helping Wrangell businesses, and fishermen, that have been impacted by COVID-19. Applicants can receive $1,000 on a first come, first serve basis. The original deadline to apply for this grant was Sept. 15. However, upon discussion, the EDC felt that the grant should be extended to give more businesses and fishermen time to apply, or re-apply, if needed. They recommended that the deadline be extended to Nov. 1.
The EDC also decided to extend the application deadline of the targeted business grant to Nov. 1. This grant is different from the small business grant in that the grant is for $3,000, and it is specifically for businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. This includes the tourism and visitor industries, such as tour boat operators, restaurants, accommodations, and other businesses.
Furthermore, Rushmore added that some businesses may not be able to apply for relief because of timing. As things stand right now, she said, only businesses that opened in 2019 or later are eligible. The EDC felt that this blocked brand new businesses that were started in 2020. Rushmore said that they recommended to open up applications to new businesses that started prior to March 11 of this year, as well.
Other recommended changes discussed by the EDC include extending the accounting assistance grant to Nov. 1, but only allow one application per business or nonprofit. They also opened up the vessel haul-out grant so that anyone hauling their boat out of the water can be reimbursed, and not just those moving their boat into the boat yard's work zone area, as well as to extend the deadline to Dec. 1.
Rushmore said that, as of Sept. 8, these recommendations have not been implemented yet. They would be in the near future, but she did not have a set date. More information about the grants can be found at http://www.wrangellcovid19.org.
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