The City of Temple, Temple's Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way have partnered to offer a grant to small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Spokesman Cody Weems reports that the Small Business Grant Program will use $90,000 of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant to provide grants of up to $5,000 to businesses that meet either of the following criteria:

  • Employ up to 50 full-time equivalent employees at the time of application
  • Employ up to 5 full-time equivalent employees with a low to moderate income owner.

Businesses applying for the grant must demonstrate a loss of gross revenue as a result of the coronavirus to be considered for funds. The grant is intended to provide gap financing for businesses negatively impacted by social distancing mandates and are at risk for layoffs or closures.

Applications can be found here, and should be emailed to covidrelief@uwct.org when completed. They'll be accepted through Wednesday, August 5 at 11:59 PM.

Because they anticipate a high number of submissions, applications will be processed and evaluated by a committed made up of staff from the United Way, Temple Chamber of Commerce, and City of Temple.

Individuals experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic can apply for relief funds as well. When you visit the United Way's application page, you'll see links to both the City of Temple Resident COVID-19 Community Relief Fund and the Non City of Temple Bell County COVID-19 Community Relief Fund. These funds are meant to help people with rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills.

If you can spare any money to help fellow Central Texans during these tough times, the United Way is accepting donations online to go toward the funds mentioned above. You can donate here.

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