Money (Photo: Public Domain Pictures)
WILMINGTON, NC (press release) – There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and funds from the American Rescue Plan will help New Hanover County recover and rebuild our local economy. The COVID relief package delivered more than $ 45 million to New Hanover County and nearly $ 26 million to the city of Wilmington in federal funding. This funding will provide $ 4.5 million to business owners living and working in New Hanover County as a grant for the hospitality, retail and service industries.
Working with New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will administer the grant, designed to aid businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent business restrictions. The Hospitality, Retail and Services Grant will benefit retail, service, recreational, hospitality, and childcare businesses in New Hanover County. The amount of the subsidy depends on the number of employees employed by the applicant company. Applications are accepted from July 1 to July 15, 2021. To find out more or to apply, click here. To view the application in Spanish, click here.
“Our local businesses are an integral part of the fabric of our community, increasing economic vitality, adding diversity and employing thousands of our residents,” said Chair of the Board of Commissioners Julia Olson-Boseman. “And during the pandemic, they have shown incredible resilience, adapting their business models and operations to the needs of their customers, and persevering. The Board of Commissioners makes it a strategic priority to support local businesses and improve economic development in New Hanover County. The use of $ 2.5 million from the county’s American Rescue Plan and the collaborative effort with the city to raise an additional $ 2 million for this grant program are directly in line with that goal. I appreciate the Chamber for working with us to manage the program and the city working hand in hand with us to support our neighbors. “
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said, “I am grateful for the partnership with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in managing $ 4.5 million from the city and county rescue plan for local businesses that are still in the process are working to recover from the pandemic. When local governments and local businesses work together, we can make a huge positive contribution to our community and improve the lives and livelihoods of workers and employers alike. By distributing these redevelopment funds quickly and fairly, we can play an important role in building Wilmington’s small businesses on solid foundations to take full advantage of a recovering economy. “
These funds must be spent by August 30, 2022. Funds can only be used for payroll for hiring and reinstalling employees, or for additional expenses related to complying with state and local orders to comply with COVID-19. These funds may not be used for rent, incidental expenses, or expenses related to the normal course of business outside of payroll. Qualifying businesses must be independent, locally owned, and located in New Hanover County. Companies must have been in operation for six months before March 2020. At least one or more business owners must be resident in the Neuhannover district. To learn more about the other qualifications, Click here.
“The funds allocated to our community in the American Rescue Plan will accelerate New Hanover County’s economic recovery by helping businesses that have suffered tremendous economic losses during the pandemic. Food service, retail, hospitality, childcare and leisure jobs were all destroyed in our community as businesses struggled to stay afloat. The Wilmington Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to work with New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington on this initiative and to offer some support to these companies, ”said Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
For questions about the Hospitality, Retail & Service Grant program, please call 910-762-2611 or email info@wilmingtonchamber.org.