Governor Brown recently allocated $20 million to the 15 counties which had moved into Extreme Risk last month including Lane County. These funds are to be distributed to impacted businesses, and Lane County received $2.4 million for that purpose. In an effort to get the money out as quickly as possible and to streamline the process, Lane County will apply the funds to the existing waitlist from the December grant program. New applications will not be accepted at this time.
The need is far greater than what local resources can address; nearly 1,600 businesses in Lane County requested more than $24 million in funding when applications were opened in December. Almost 250 businesses were awarded in the first round, and Lane County estimates that an additional 110 businesses will be awarded in this round.
Waitlisted local businesses will be contacted directly in the coming days with more details on the program and next steps, no action is required at this time. Businesses on the waitlist with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, as well as sole proprietors and 501(c)3 non-profits, remain eligible to receive grants that range from $7,500-$25,000. As before, recipients will be selected in two rounds of random drawings. Selection is random in order to ensure businesses that submitted applications closer to the deadline in December are just as likely to be selected as others. Businesses selected will need to sign a document certifying that they are still eligible before funding is disbursed.
The first drawing for 75% of the overall funding will be conducted among applications from businesses in the tourism, hospitality or event sectors, along with businesses closed as a result of the Governor’s ordered freezes (e.g., gyms, museums, sports courts, etc.), rural businesses or majority women-, disabled-, veteran-, or minority-owned businesses.
The remaining 25% of the funds will be allocated in the second random drawing that includes all other eligible applicants, as well as those not selected in the first drawing.
Lane County will continue to advocate for more small business support and disburse any additional funding quickly and equitably.