CARES ACT: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
The Town of Lyons announces CARES funding grant awards to 23 small businesses and 2 non-profits in Lyons. All of them have been impacted by COVID-19 and by the impacts of following the public health orders put in place to help protect our community’s health and save lives. Per the grant application process, the recipients must employ fewer than 50 people, have a valid Lyons business license, be current on all sales tax remittance, be in good standing with the state of Colorado and Boulder County and have been impacted due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The grant funding is made available through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund established by Governor Jared Polis with federal CARES Act dollars. The funds are provided via an intergovernmental agreement between Lyons and Boulder County. Applications were due to the Town of Lyons on December 7, 2020.
Applications for grant funding were evaluated and scored utilizing criteria that included:
• whether the business had a valid local Lyons Business License
• current on their sales tax submissions (if applicable)
• number of employees
• percentage of revenue lost
• the severity of impact of COVID-19 on the business
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= 23 local small businesses and 2 non-profits were awarded grant funds, ranging
from $900 to $10,0000.
= The maximum amount available for funding was $10,000.
= The businesses represent various sectors including personal services,
retail, restaurant, lodging, and professional services.
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“The Town of Lyons worked with our partners at Boulder County to provide our businesses with access to more CARES Act funding to cover rent, mortgage or utility payments they may have trouble making due to pandemic-related revenue shortfalls.” stated Trustee Hollie Rogin of Lyons. “Additionally, the funds may also be used to help businesses pay for PPE or cleaning and sanitation supplies. Our local businesses have been tremendously impacted since March, and we are so pleased that they can experience some relief.”
The town recognizes that small businesses play a critical role in Lyons, and that they contribute greatly to the community’s overall economic health and well-being. Local small businesses make sizable contributions to their communities in myriad ways, including:
Providing jobs to generate and maintain local employment opportunities;
Promoting a unique community identity, character, and charm; and,
Building a sense of community connectedness, social health, and well-being
through business practices built around interpersonal relationships.
The grant funds are federal funds which may be utilized to cover pandemic-related revenue loss and costs associated with:
Rent/mortgage/capital expenses to make improvements related to
social distancing;
Rent/utilities required to resume or continue business activity;
Personal protective equipment, cleaning, and sanitation supplies;
Payroll costs, but only if a business was unsuccessful in securing funding
from the Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loans;
Urgently needed equipment repair/replacement required to resume or
continue business activity;
Supplies that support business activity adjustments during the COVID-19
response period;
Marketing/PR/communications needs to address business activity
adjustments during the COVID-19 response period;
Telcom/internet connectivity to facilitate business activity during the
COVID-19 response period.
The federal grant program is a good reminder for local businesses to be cognizant of the significance and importance of filing timely sales tax, having a valid Lyons business license and maintaining any other related business requirements that may be required by either the State or Boulder County Department of Public Health.
“Small businesses are an important component of our local character and economic vitality, providing employment, unique services and goods, and enhancing our community,” noted Rogin. “We are so grateful to be able to help our small, local businesses during the ongoing challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For a LIST OF WHAT BUSINESS GOT WHAT AMOUNT OF FUNDING, go to: https://www.townoflyons.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8112?fileID=17264 Fifteen businesses got $10,000 each.
