Deadline extended for business grant applications

The deadline has been extended for Canyon Lake businesses that desire to apply for grants for as much as $15,000 each. The grants are being made available to Canyon Lake businesses which are recovering from economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses now have until Oct. 3 to submit the application.

The City of Canyon Lake funds are being made available from money it received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The original deadline of Sept. 1 has passed with funds still available to be issued.

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.

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.

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, the city 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 canyonlakechamber@outlook.com for initial screening. All applications must be submitted by Oct. 3 at 5:00 p.m.