HAILEY, Idaho — The city of Hailey set aside $200,000 of its CARES ACT relief money to help support local businesses.
Applications opened up on December 2. Businesses can apply for up to $10,000 to cover expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now the city is encouraging business owners to submit any last-minute applications with the deadline quickly approaching this week. Grants are also served on a first-come, first-serve basis. So far, the city has received 35 applications with only some minor bumps in the road.
Thirteen applications have been sent to the state for reimbursement, and details are being finalized for the remaining applications.
"Most of these applications will be approved in part if not in whole. There are some applications that we have received that the expenses for which they submitted simply don't qualify," says Heather Dawson, Hailey's City Administrator.
In order to apply, you must be a Hailey-based business and provide an Employee Identification Number (EIN). All of the reimbursement expenses being applied for must not have been paid for by any other previous grants.
The money must be used towards COVID expenses that were not budgeted, like PPE for customers and staff safety. Rent and utility costs can also be covered.
The city says a number of diverse businesses have applied since the grant program opened, and they're happy to be able to support so many locally-owned businesses.
"We've had nonprofits, we've had restaurants, we've had bars, we've had travel agencies, we've had beauty salons and hotels. All kinds of businesses have applied," said Dawson.
Dawson says no funds have been distributed just yet, but they expect to begin issuing checks next week and over the next month.
The final day to submit an application is Friday, December 18. Those must be in by 5 p.m. More information can be found here.
