Nonprofits and businesses inside Soldotna city limits can now apply for some coronavirus relief money through the city’s CARES Act grant program.
The city launched its first phase of business and nonprofit relief on Friday, making $2.75 million available for qualifying organizations, regardless of whether they’ve received other relief funding. The caveat is that the expenses they’re applying for help with can’t have been covered by any other relief funding they’ve received.
About $2 million is specifically available for businesses, with a maximum of $15,000 per grantee. The actual award amount is calculated based on five percent of the applicant’s gross sales in 2019. They have to have been in business at least since January 1 of this year, have a physical location within city limits, and have made at least $25,000 in gross sales in 2019. Chains, C-corps, and marijuana businesses are not eligible.
Rules for nonprofits are a little different. They don’t have to be physically located in Soldotna, but they do have to provide regular services to city residents. Since nonprofits don’t always have revenue, they can also use a financial statement to apply. For those who do have revenue, the grant amounts are based on 10 percent of the applicant’s gross revenue from 2019. Nonprofit grants range up to $25,000, and only $750,000 total is available in this round.
The application period is open for two weeks and closes July 31 at 5 p.m., with checks expected to go out mid-August, according to the city. Applications can be submitted electronically or physically in person or by mail at City Hall.
Soldotna is expecting to receive about $7 million in total in CARES Act funding in multiple phases. For more information, visit the City of Soldotna’s website.
Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@kdll.org.
