City businesses may apply for COVID-19 grants

Grants for as much as $15,000 each are being made available to Canyon Lake businesses which are recovering from economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Canyon Lake funds are being made available from money it received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The Canyon Lake City Council approved the programs at its March meeting and has partnered with the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce to administer these programs and to help businesses apply for the two grants.

Additionally, the city has already announced and has begun the process of using ARPA funds for a Canyon Cash Gift Card program where city bonus cash is added to the face value of each of the gift cards. For example, a gift card that costs the consumer $100 will be good toward $150 in purchases at Canyon Lake businesses.

The chamber is also assisting with the Canyon Cash promotion and is busy signing up Canyon Lake businesses to participate and accept the gift cards. City of Canyon Lake Management Analyst Tyler Ferrari said the gift cards will be available for online purchase soon.

The two grant programs have $120,000 allocated to the businesses located within the City of Canyon Lake.

The Small Business Emergency Relief Grants Program has $75,000 allocated towards those small businesses that can demonstrate economic hardship due to the pandemic. Each business can receive grants up to $15,000 that can be used for paying rent, utilities, and other operating expenditures.

The Small Business Assistance Grants Program has $45,000 allocated towards those small businesses that can demonstrate economic hardship due to the pandemic. Each business can receive grants of $10,000 that can be used for assistance in applying for other COVID-19 relief funds or business marketing assistance, with an emphasis on website upgrades.

The grants are made available to businesses who qualify for the funding as determined by grant applications that are available on the city website. Guidelines for applying are also available via a document downloadable on the website.

“Businesses interested in applying for either of the grants in this program are encouraged to read the application guidelines,” Tyler said. “These guidelines outline the documentation the city will be requiring for the program, as well as an explanation on how grant money will be allocated.”

The applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and funds will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. The city cannot guarantee that each applicant will be awarded grant funding, Tyler said, so it is encouraged that businesses turn in applications as soon as they can.

Once the applications are filled out, they are to be emailed to the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce at canyon
lakechamber@outlook.com for initial screening. All applications must be sent by Sept. 1 at 5:00 p.m., although, as mentioned, funds may be all allocated by then.