Sisolak announces details of $20M business grant program

Nevada small-business owners who saw their sales and revenue zapped by the COVID-19 pandemic could soon get up to $10,000 in grants, Gov. Steve Sisolak and state Treasurer Zach Conine announced Wednesday.

The program, the Pandemic Emergency Technical Support, will use federal COVID-19 relief funding that will be administered through the Nevada Treasurer’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Department of Business and Industry. Nonprofit organizations are also eligible to apply.

“If you are a small business that has been hurt by this pandemic and need help with rent, inventory, payroll, or have had to purchase (personal protective equipment), or have needed to retrofit your business in order to keep your customers safe, I urge you, I implore you to apply,” Sisolak said.

The $20 million program will serve an estimated 2,000 small businesses and nonprofits through the one-time payments. Because the payouts are grants, business owners do not need to repay the funds. Businesses can expect payment about two weeks after the application process ends.

“Qualifying businesses will receive up to $10,000 to help with their expenses related to COVID-19,” said Sisolak. “For some of these businesses, this is an opportunity to stay open.”

The grants will be prioritized to certain businesses and for nonprofits.

“I recognize the hardship specific categories of business types have endured as a result of this pandemic and restrictions that have been put in place on their particular businesses,” said Sisolak. “We made sure that Nevada’s bars, pubs, taverns, breweries, distilleries, and vineyards are prioritized for access to this grant money.”

Nevada small businesses and nonprofits can apply for the grants beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at goed.nv.gov. The application period is two weeks.

Contact Jonathan Ng at jng@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ByJonathanNg on Twitter.