Applications are now open for 500 business and non profit grants available through Bernalillo County and the federal CARES act. The $5 million that comprises the bulk of these grants comes from the $32 million the county received from the federal CARES act. A county spokesman said the grants of up to $10,000 will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, although the county’s Economic Development Department staff is screening to ensure businesses that apply meet the requirements. To qualify, the business or nonprofit must have a physical location within county limits, have between one and 50 full-time employees, and have no more than $3 million in taxable receipts per year.

The county will give preference to businesses that have not already received assistance through the city of Albuquerque, which recently issued grants to microbusinesses, or through federal means like the Paycheck Protection Program. The application period for this grant program starts today, June 22 and will end on Monday June 29th. To fill out an application visit the Bernalillo County website at bernco.gov