Three state organizations will soon make available $50 million in grants for small Arkansas businesses and industries that have been significantly affected by COVID-19.
The funding will be available "to all Arkansas businesses involved in personal care, tourism, travel, hospitality, recreation, which will include hotels, restaurants and amusement centers," said Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana executive director.
A seminar has been set for 10 a.m. Friday, to explain how this funding works. Prospective applicants will receive instruction on how to apply for one of these Business Interruption Grants.
To attend or submit questions in advance, go to ArkansasReady.com online.
The funding is available by way of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
The grant application period is form Nov. 16 to 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.
"I've been trying to make sure any downtown concerns and restaurants are aware of this," McDowell said. "Grants are limited to smaller concerns, 250 employees or less."
(Contact Main Street Texarkana at mainstreettexarkana.org for more information.)