Note: This press release was updated on April 15, in order to provide greater detail on program eligibility.

Contact: Small Business Grant Program

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County announced the launch of a new small-business assistance grant program to provide financial support to local businesses struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program includes $250,000 in grant funds, available to businesses located in unincorporated areas of Summit County.

"Summit County has never experienced a crisis like this, and the impacts to our business community have been severe," Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier said. "We know how painful it is for so many shops, restaurants, offices and other establishments to close their doors, especially at the height of spring ski season."

The goal of Summit County’s business assistance program is to support independently owned businesses in unincorporated areas of the county that have been closed or severely impacted by the statewide stay-at-home order. The grant funds are intended for retailers and service providers to pay for essential business-related expenses like payroll, rent, mortgages, utilities and supplies.

Eligible businesses may receive a one-time grant of up to $5,000 dollars. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The business must be independently owned.
• The business must have a physical business location in a commercially zoned area of unincorporated Summit County.
• The business must operate year-round, with the exception of short-term seasonal closures.
• The business must be closed or its onsite sales severely limited because of the Summit County Public Health Order.
• The business must have 25 full-time equivalents (FTE) or fewer.
• The business must show proof of a current sales tax license and be current on sales tax remittances.
• The business must show proof of application for federal assistance programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL).

Short-term rentals, real estate businesses, professional services, publicly traded corporate entities and their subsidiaries are not eligible for this program.

For complete program details, or to apply for a grant, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/smallbusiness starting April 14. Applications must be received by April 24.

The County has budgeted $250,000 for the local business grant program. Businesses located within the boundaries of an incorporated town are encouraged to contact their town to determine whether they are eligible for similar programs.

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