Reno’s Small Business Economic Assistance Program now open

CARES program funds small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Reno has reopened the Small Business Economic Assistance Program to applicants who did not receive funding in the first round. As background, the program provides direct funds to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application period is open now and will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 unless extended. A list of information required to complete the application is now available on Reno.gov. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Applications will be available in English and Spanish. Businesses that received financial assistance in the first round of funding are not eligible to apply during this current round.

The program prioritizes small personal service businesses, with an emphasis on businesses that have had to close due to previous or current Governor Directives and Declarations.

This program is funded by the City of Reno with funds received from the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the CARES Act. Awards will be a maximum of $20,000 and must be associated with costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as personal protective equipment, revenue reductions due to mandated closures or social-distancing requirements, and safety measures or other expenses reasonably needed to maintain operations.

To be eligible a business must at a minimum: have an active City of Reno business license, have 20 or less full-time equivalent employees, and be committed to upholding all of the recommendations and/or comply with any mandates for reopening from the State of Nevada and/or the Washoe County Health District.

Some additional restrictions apply. For more detailed information, visit Reno.gov/COVID19. For additional questions, please contact the City of Reno at 775-334-2365.

The first round of funding to businesses amounted to $1.4 million. 137 businesses will receive awards ranging from $870 to $20,000 based on the information they submitted. The next rounds of funding will total up to $2.55 million, based on demand and fund availability.