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PARKERSBURG -- The deadline to apply for assistance from Parkersburg's COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund program has been extended to March 31.
Parkersburg's administration and City Council established the program using $300,000 in funding provided by the C.A.R.E.S. Act through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
After the initial deadline in October, a total of 16 small businesses have been or are in the process of being awarded $111,188 in short-term working capital, according to a release from the city. That leaves a program fund balance of $188,444.
The program provides money to help businesses retain and create jobs for low- to moderate-income workers adversely impacted by the pandemic, including payment of rent, loans, wages, taxes and normal benefits for employees and normal operating costs and expenses.
The award can be for as much as $17,500 if the unmet need is documented.
Applications are being processed by the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council.
To be eligible, a business must be located within the city limits of Parkersburg; have been in business for at least one year since March 1, 2019; and have been in good standing with city fees as of Dec. 31, 2019. Applicants must be a low- to moderate-income business owner or a business that employs or previously employed at least 51 percent low- to moderate-income workers and employ 25 or fewer full-time equivalent low- to moderate-income workers.
A copy of the application and program guidelines can be obtained by calling 304-422-4993 or emailing ana.ambrose@movrc.org.
The city and the Regional Council will re-evaluate the program at the end of March.