An important message for small businesses in Pima County:

OPENS TODAY

Pima County has opened a grant program to assist small businesses that have faced difficulties during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pima County CARES for Small Business Grant Program will provide grants up to $10,000 for qualifying small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The program has a total budget of $1.7 million, provided from the County’s allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding.

Qualifying businesses can use the grant funds to pay for expenses related to mortgage payments, rent costs, lease payments, and utility expenses. Grants awards can be applied to past expenses only, not future or ongoing expenses.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The application process is open to small businesses in the unincorporated areas outside of the cities and towns. The City of Tucson and other municipalities have similar business assistance grant programs for business located within their jurisdictions.

Qualifications include:

• 30 employees or fewer
• Finances negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
• Legally established prior to February 2020

Owner must be at least 18 years old and have valid employee identification number of Social Security number

Certain businesses are not eligible for funding through the Pima County CARES for Small Business Grant Program. These businesses include lending institutions, life insurance companies, foreign companies, cannabis companies, businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activity. A complete list of ineligible businesses is available with the application material.

The application for the Pima County CARES for Small Business Grant Program can be found here. (https://zoomgrants.com/gprop.asp?donorid=2163&limited=3085 ) Applicants will need to create an account to complete the application form.  The application process opens Friday, Sept. 25.

Additional information about Pima County’s small business assistance is available at www.pima.gov/backtobusiness.
Best wishes for a strong finish to 2020!