Applications will open on Monday August 17th for the latest round of assistance for businesses adapting to COVID safe operations. Almost two months after the county commission approved the $5 million in funding, the program still has more than a third of that left over. Bernalillo County Commission on Tuesday approved the opening of a second application process for its CARES small business grant program as it looks to distribute the remaining $1.8 million. In the first round of applications the county issued 345 grants worth a total of about $3.2 million that were intended to help businesses and nonprofits weather pandemic-related challenges. The county will offer one-time grants up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses and nonprofits to cover costs such as employee wages, vendor bills, and rent.
County Commissioners expected the available funds to run out in the first round of grants, but are moving quickly to ensure the money gets into the hands of businesses who need it right away. “When we were actually handing these checks out, some people were in tears,” Said Mayling Armijo, Bernalillo County Economic Development Director, noting that she heard many heart-wrenching stories of struggle during the process. The application process will open on Aug. 17, and close on Aug. 23, unless funds are exhausted sooner. For more information on the program click HERE.