Sedgwick County is using some coronavirus relief funds to help local businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The county will use $9.3 million in CARES funding that was received through the state of Kansas for programs to help businesses with up to 50 employees.
Deputy chief financial officer Brent Shelton said $5 million will be available to provide funding of up to $5,000 per businesss to help with various expenses. Shelton said the funds would help with needed equipment or operational expenses. He said businesses that are looking to expand dining or shopping outdoors under Wichita’s new Open Air ICT program could use funding to help with costs related to outdoor operations.
The county will also have $3 million available to provide personal protective equipment to local businesses, and Shelton said business owners would go to Intrust Bank Arena to pick up PPE kits. More details will be announced later. There will also be $1.3 million available to provide training opportunities for workers who have been laid off because of the COVID-19 impact on the economy. This money would be provided to organizations to help with costs of training programs through the end of the year.
The county will begin an application process on its website at www.sedgwickcounty.org starting Monday, August 17th, and it will remain open through September 11th. Businesses can answer questions to determine if their business expenses will be eligible for reimbursement under the program.
