City of Centennial days away from opening grant opportunities for local businesses

BY JESSICA ROE BEHIND THE SCENES STAFF WRITER

Centennial City Councillors approved the use of $5 million of the $10.29 million Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money it received to immediately help local businesses rebound from the losses they suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Neil Marciniak, Centennial’s Economic Development Director, introduced the proposed plan to the City Council at this past Monday night’s meeting.

Businesses eligible for the grants must employ no more than 100 individuals; must be located in the city; must be a privately held for-profit business; must be able to demonstrate it was forced to close or limit operations during the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in a significant loss of profit, around approximately 25%.

Examples of eligible businesses can be restaurants and bars, breweries/wineries/ distilleries with tasting rooms; retailers such as clothing stores, and florists; personal services such as salons and spas; health services such as dentists, chiropractors and counselors; fitness centers such as gyms; as well as home-based businesses and more.

Ineligible businesses include those that operated throughout the pandemic; nationally owned entities; any kind of marijuana related businesses; liquor stores; and, sexually oriented businesses. Locally owned franchises of national chains may qualify.

The grants will fall into three categories, and each business is allowed to apply for a grant in all three of the categories, which include the following:

(1) Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety grants are up to $2500 each and provide for businesses to procure their own PPEs and accompanying safety training.

(2) Operations grants are budgeted up to $10,000 each and are for businesses impacted by closures to cover rent, utilities, payroll, inventory, etc.

(3) Temporary and Physical Improvement grants range up to $20,000 each and are to assist businesses with building and/or site modifications to facilitate compliance with public health orders such as patio expansions, interior renovations, etc.

In Marciniak’s original proposal, it was required that the applicant’s business had to have been in existence with a city license to operate since April 1, 2019, however several members of council expressed their request that the prerequisite time of existence be greatly shortened, with several suggesting a timeframe of just six months prior to the onset of the pandemic. A date will be announced once the program debuts on the city’s website.

City Manager Matt Sturgeon assured councillors he would reallocate staff to ensure that when applications begin coming in, they were prioritized to be processed and checks would be issued promptly.

While Marciniak said he hopes to have the application process up and running soon, it may take several days to get the entire system stood up on CentennialCO.gov. Check back frequently.

In the meantime, Centennial residents should consider participating in the city’s “Think Local” program by posting a selfie on social media with an item they purchased from a Centennial business or in front of a Centennial business. Use the tag #ThinkLocalCentennial, and you will be automatically entered to win a gift card to a Centennial restaurant.

Starting June 8, a winner will be announced weekly.

Visit centennialco.gov/ ThinkLocalCentennial for full rules and participating restaurants. Follow Centennial on social media @Centennial Gov.