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Legislature Approves $50 Million in Grants to Aid the Arkansas Service and Hospitality Industries

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) received approval to proceed with a grant program utilizing $50 million in CARES Act funds for Arkansas businesses in industries significantly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

Last week the Arkansas Legislative Council approved a business interruption grant for certain Arkansas businesses in the personal care, tourism, travel, recreation and hospitality industries. The grant will provide reimbursement for a portion of specific eligible expenses incurred by businesses in these industries between March 1 and Sept. 30, 2020.
 
The program will utilize $50 million in CARES Act funds for Arkansas businesses in these industries significantly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Arkansas small businesses having 250, or fewer, full-time employees located in Arkansas may seek reimbursement for expenses associated with COVID-19 mitigation or certain listed business interruption expenses due directly to local, state or federal government COVID-19 directives. Grants can be for up to $250,000 each.

Applicants will have plenty of time to plan an application with a Facebook Live question and answer session the week of Nov. 2 and an applicant help phone line opening on Nov. 9, one week before the application period opens. All applications will be completed online. 

A link to the application will be posted on www.ArkansasReady.com

Review frequently asked questions and answers here: https://arkansasready.com/site/assets/files/1887/faq_document_october_20_2020.pdf

You can find grant rules here: https://arkansasready.com/site/assets/files/1887/oct_14_2020_rules_business_interruption_grant.pdf

View a checklist for applicants here: https://arkansasready.com/site/assets/files/1887/checklist_for_applicants_october_20_2020_final.pdf

The grant application period will open Monday, Nov. 16, and close Wednesday, Nov. 25. Grants will be awarded on a prorated basis depending on the total number of applicants and the amount of reimbursement requested. The program anticipates making grant awards in late December.