CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Business Council will continue accepting applications for the last two COVID-19 business relief programs through 8 pm Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Eligible farmers, ranchers, businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply before the Agriculture and Endurance funds close on Wednesday.
“We encourage Wyoming agriculture producers, businesses, and nonprofits to apply for funding before these applications close,” Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell said. “These federal funds have already made a positive impact on the state’s economy, helping more than 6,400 entities stay afloat.”
“We don’t want folks to miss this opportunity provided by the Legislature and Governor Gordon for financial assistance during these hard times.”
The WBC administered a total of five COVID-19 business relief funds, distributing federal CARES Act funding received by the state. The Wyoming Legislature allocated $325 million in CARES Act funds in may for three funds: the Interruption, Relief and Mitigation funds.
Those three funds are all closed. The Agriculture and Endurance funds opened on Nov. 2.
“The Business Council has received $28.7 million in application requests from 367 agriculture producers and paid $8 million of the $18.9 million approved to date from the Agriculture Fund,” the WBC says. “This fund has $90 million available for farmers and ranchers who have experienced gross revenue losses and expenses in specific categories due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Applications for the Endurance Fund have outpaced funds currently available, but the Business Council encourages businesses and nonprofits in need to apply in case additional CARES Act money becomes available.”
The Endurance fund began with a $24 million allocation from unspent COVID-19 business relief program dollars.
“To date, more than 2,380 entities have submitted applications, totaling more than $217 million,” the WBC says. “Endurance Fund applicants are not guaranteed funding at this time and will be placed on waitlists.”
The WBC says they are prioritizing applications from people who have not received funding from the previous business relief programs who are applying for the Endurance fund support.
“The Business Council is reviewing applications in the order they were received within this prioritization and will review all applications to be ready to pay out more if additional funding becomes available,” the WBC says. “The Business Council expects to start Endurance Fund payments this week.”
People can find more information and apply at wyobizrelief.org.
The WBC is also sharing which entities have received support from the business relief programs online at www.wyopen.gov/wbc.
This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.
The Wyoming Department of Health provides COVID-19 case, variant, death, testing, hospital and vaccine data online. The department also shares information about how the data can be interpreted. COVID-19 safety recommendations are available from the CDC.
