For small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the Central City Economic Development Sales Tax District (CCED) boundaries, funds to help provide immediate assistance are available, but applications are only open Monday Nov. 16 through Thursday Nov. 19.
City Council and the CCED board established the fund of $500,000, providing small businesses within the CCED borders, which includes 9th Street on the north, Gregory Boulevard on the south, The Paseo Boulevard on the west, and Indiana Avenue on the east, with grants between $2,500 to $10,000.
Priority will be given to businesses operating with low or moderate income, minority-, women-, veteran-, and immigrant-owned businesses, and businesses in retail, food service, arts and entertainment, hospitality, healthcare (not directly involved in the COVID-19 response), fitness, personal service and transportation.
To be eligible for the grant, small businesses must have an annual revenue less than $750,000, less than 20 employees and have experienced a loss of income since the pandemic. Microentrepreneurs or sole proprietors are also eligible, including those whose work is on a per contract or per performance basis.
The grant should only be used for day-to-day operations of the business, like covering payroll, rent or utilities.
When applying, be ready to provide general information about your business including the KCMO business license number, the number of employees and annual revenues. Finalists will also be asked to complete and provide a current W-9, direct deposit form and a canceled check for direct deposit.
The CCED board asks that applicants limit their request to the amount needed to manage immediate cash flow needs until longer term assistance can be accessed, so they can extend assistance to the maximum number of businesses.
For more information about the grant and how to apply, click here: https://www.lisc.org/kansas-city/lisc-kansas-city-response-covid-19/ccedgrants/
To apply for the grant, click here: https://lisc.tfaforms.net/f/CCED_KC_Grants
For questions, email: CCEDgrants@lisc.org.