WACO, Texas — Relief funds are on the way for small business owners in Waco and McLennan County who were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
$415,000 dollars from the city and county will be spent giving $5,000 grants to small businesses that are having trouble paying wages, rent or COVID-19-related expenses.
Shamica Evans is the owner of Waffle Chic in Waco. Like so many others her small business was hit hard by the economic crisis cause by the global pandemic.
"Once COVID-19 kicked off I was just now blossoming and getting my business out there,” Evans said.
It stopped a lot of catering businesses and stopped people from enjoying waffle chick. Evans said she plans to apply for the $5,000 Small Business Emergency Recovery Fund soon to be issued by the city of Waco and McLennan County.
“In order to sustain my employee and keep them on payroll, I’m applying for the grant. It will help me with wages and supplies,” Evans said.
To qualify for the money, businesses must have 10 or fewer employees, they must be located in McLennan County and their COVID-19-related economic loss must have occurred between March 17 and April 30.
Carla Dotson owns the Boardwalk on Elm Food Truck. She said applying for the loan was a bit complicated.
"They are asking for a lot of information and a lot people have already been applying for this stuff and it's kind of like a waiting game," Dotson said. Application reviews will begin on May 8, and funds will be dispersed starting May 15.
On Thursday, Startup Waco is having a webinar to help make it easier to apply. The Waco City Council also approved $378,000 dollars to help people with rent, mortgage and utility payments.
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