Following the application by several local businesses for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds, commissioners approved moving forward with disbursement.
The county was recently awarded $132,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce to help with COVID-19 relief, in particular, to help small businesses retain workers.
A second round for additional businesses to apply for CDBG-CV funds will also begin immediately, agreed commissioners.
At this stage, micro-businesses (1-5 employees) are eligible for up to $7,500 in relief funds, and small businesses (6-50 employees) are eligible for up to $12,000.
Those parties who are interested are advised to contact Thrive Allen County with any questions at (620) 365-8128 or info@thriveallencounty.org.
Thrive CEO Lisse Regehr agreed she thought they would get a lot more applications during the first round, but pointed to disqualifying factors such as businesses having received EIDL funds or not having enough employees making below a specific salary, as 51% must be considered low-to-moderate income.
However, Regehr also noted that “sole proprietorships” are exempted from certain disqualifying conditions, and so these types of businesses should look into whether funds might be available.
She gave as examples dog-grooming businesses or salon owners.
Of note, is that commissioners voted as well to approve that Thrive Allen County oversee organizing the disbursement of $2.4 million in CARES Act funds.
A community steering committee is in place to discuss how CARES funds might best be spent, and are moving forward with meetings.
DURING another discussion, county counselor Bob Johnson explained some details regarding voting for renewal of the sales tax in support of Allen County Hospital/St. Luke’s.
“The hospital board wanted everyone to be aware that the sales tax isn’t a new tax. It’s already in place. And it’s only for five years rather than 10.”
“The purpose is to allow the [hospital] trustees, who are the landlords of the hospital, to make improvements to the bricks-and-mortar of the building,” including making changes to the radiology department and pharmacy.
“We have a $30 million hospital,” he said. “It’s going to take money to keep that facility up.”
“St. Luke’s is making the bond payment, which alleviated that burden from the taxpayers,” Johnson added.
“The benefit to the sales tax is, everybody that comes through … pays that sales tax. And if the sales tax doesn’t pass, [commissioners] are going to have to allocate 3 new mills,” thereby substantially raising property taxes across the county.
