Nearly 2,000 small businesses and organizations in Kansas will receive part of $37.5 million in Small Business Working Capital grants, according to Gov. Laura Kelly.
The recipients includes about 67 small businesses and organizations in Wyandotte County.
The grants went to small businesses and organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement.
“Throughout the pandemic, my administration has prioritized the efficient distribution of CARES Act funding to protect Kansas’ economy and ensure our businesses and schools can stay open,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “While I’m proud to announce that we have been able to provide relief to almost 2,000 small businesses, there are many more that still need help. Washington has been sitting on a second stimulus bill for months, it’s time to put aside the partisanship and pass this long-overdue aid for the states.”
Kansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees were eligible to apply for SBWC grant funding, made available by Gov. Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce through the federal CARES Act.
Grant funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, insurance, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, inventory, and more.
“Through the CARES Act funding, we’ve enhanced our public health response, upgraded our technology infrastructure, made sure children could keep learning, helped businesses stay open and created jobs,” Julie Lorenz, executive director of the Office of Recovery, said. “There are still many unmet needs and with additional federal funding and flexibility, we could deliver more investments to serve Kansans and industries that continue to suffer from the pandemic.”
The SPARK Taskforce and the Kansas Department of Commerce will maintain the Small Business Working Capital grant program, as well as PPE Procurement and Connectivity Emergency Response Grant programs, should more federal CARES Act funding become available.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the Kansas economy, and they keep our communities strong and vibrant,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We’re glad to have been able to provide critically-needed working capital to nearly 2,000 businesses, but the need for liquidity doesn’t end there. We need to have their backs. The Department of Commerce will always stand ready to assist businesses across Kansas, pandemic or not.”
The online application process for several other SPARK grant programs remain active. Details are available at www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief.
About 67 Wyandotte County businesses and organizations received funding, including:
• #ProjectLaing Entertainment L.L.C., $2,500;
• 3 Axis, Inc., $20,000;
• 63 Party Bus, $14,450;
• A Taste of Love – Bakery. $20,000;
• Accent Limousine LLC, $20,000;
• African Designs By Liliane and Amisi Lc, $20,000;
• Allegro Choirs of Kansas City, $50,000;
• Amy Marvel, $20,000;
• Angels of Grace Family Service Center, $20,000;
• Ap Investments of Merriam Inc., $20,000;
• Arrow Rentals kc, $20,000;
• Art’s Mexican Products, Inc., $20,000;
• B LO, $20,000;
• Bonds Advance Training Center, $20,000;
• Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce, $8,925;
• Borberg Pizzeria, Inc., $20,000;
• Brittney Strozier, $6,000;
• Byrd’s Dance & Gymnastics, Inc., $20,000;
• C B INC, $20,000;
• Central Area Betterment Association, $10,200;
• CJ Industries, LLC, $20,000;
• Cleaning Genies KC, $7,000;
• Club 403 Enterprises, LLC $20,000;
• D Rockey Holdings, Inc., $20,000;
• Dragnet Enterprises, $20,000;
• El Tenedor KC LLC, $20,000;
• Evolve Chef, $20,000;
• Excel Lighting, LLC $20,000;
• FRP Agency LLC, $20,000;
• Gina’s Braiding Lounge, $20,000;
• Harlan Global Manufacturing LLC, $20,000;
• Heart of America Food Services, LLC, $20,000;
• HiFLight Athletics, LLC, $10,000;
• Infusion Design, Inc,. $20,000;
• Jarocho LLC, $20,000;
• Kacie Investments LLC, $20,000;
• KC Civic Center LLC, $100,000;
• KC Hutton Road LLC, $20,000;
• KC NBSS Hotel LLC, $20,000;
• KC Presort, LLC, $20,000;
• Kristi’s Academy of Dance and PA, LLC, $18,200;
• Lynn Tape & Label, Inc., $20,000;
• MAC Water Technologies, Inc., $20,000;
• Mi-Rancho Tequila USA, Inc., $20,000;
• Miller Marketing & Distribution LLC, $20,000;
• Monica Griffin-Wright, $20,000;
• My Store III Inc., $20,000;
• Nail Envy Legends LLC, $20,000;
• Nails So Happy Legends LLC, $20,000;
• National Agricultural Hall of Fame, $20,000;
• New Image, LLC, $20,000;
• New West Presentations, Inc., $100,000;
• Nikita Thomas, $20,000;
• Regal Staffing LLC, $20,000;
• Remiez Salon, Inc., $20,000;
• S&W Sports Enterprises, LLC, $20,000;
• Shannon loomis, $10,000;
• Shree Madhava Management, Inc., $20,000;
• Skyline Salon, $20,000;
• Smallwood Lock Supply, Inc., $20,000;
• Sunflower Tow Service LLC, $20,000;
• Tan-39 Rain, LLC, $20,000;
• The learning Curve Group Inc., $20,000;
• The Mockingbird Lounge LLC, $20,000;
• ThermaRoll Leaf, Inc., $20,000;
• Tina M Medina DBA as Wise Writers and Speakers, $20,000;
• Titan Casting, $20,000;
• Valor Professional Solutions LLC, $20,000.