Buchanan County Unused Cares Act Funding (7-6-20)

Buchanan County Unused Cares Act Funding (7-6-20)

Coronavirus that has hit small businesses so hard.

But it turns out... there's millions of dollars available , just waiting for them to ask for it.

In fact, here in buchanan county alone, almost $10 million kq2's kilee thomas spoke with one local business owner who said the relief gave him the cushion he needed buchanan county is sitting on nearly $9 million dollars of unused cares act funding "pretty much free money."

As of last friday businesses in the county have applied for this money meant to help small businesses get through this pandemic "we had anticipated a much larger response and maybe it's a good thing.

Maybe it tells us we weren't as impacted as we were."

But for small business owners like austin evans who owns three businesses in town that extra money during these tough times made a difference.

"to get the grant money on the local level from the county was unexpected and awesome because at this point, revenues are bouncing back but you still feel the hit we all took from it.

To get $5,000 dollars as sort of a windfall and as a cushion to help continue to assist through this and not know if there is going to be a second wave, has been incredible."

Evans received the grant for all three of his businesses process he said is a walk in the park... "the process of getting this grant money, ridiculously easy.

People get lazy about it and think it's too much paperwork.

Let me tell you, it's like six pieces of paperwork.

I didn't even have one or two of the things, i was digging for it and i couldn't find it.

I sent in my application anyway.

For example, i couldn't find a county business license and i knew i had one.

I sent it in without it and they looked it up, i'm good.

I got it and got me the funds quick.

I mean you're talking about a week turnaround time."

But it's not just $5 grand up for grabs reimbursement too..

"masks, gloves, disinfected, hand sanitizer, even the glass shields some businesses have had to install.

Those are all reimbursable."

County commissioners have extended the cut off date for businesses to apply for the grant till the end of july joseph, kilee thomas, kq2 news to apply for buchanan county's cares act funding... go to buchanan county's website or follow this story on kq2.com