Hawai‘i County residents, small business owners and non-profit organizations can soon apply for financial assistance under the federal CARES Act Program. The County will receive $80 million in funding and has partnered with local organizations to get the first $32 million of these critical dollars into our community during the COVID-19 emergency. 

Applications for the following programs will soon be available:

Business and Non-Profit Grants – Hawai‘i Island Credit Unions:  Participating credit unions will provide up to $10,000 for unduplicated gap funding to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or non-profit must employ 50 people or less.

Individual Grants to Prevent Homelessness – Hawaiian Community Assets, Inc.: With participating partners to provide unduplicated emergency rent, lease or mortgage payments for households directly impacted by COVID-19.

Non-Governmental Utilities Assistance – Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council:  Up to $500 of unduplicated utility payment assistance to households directly impacted by COVID-19. 

Applicants can visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/cares to see the required documentation needed for each program. The webpage will be updated when the applications are available in the next few weeks.

“Getting these funds into our community is extremely important,” said Mayor Harry Kim. “It is a small step towards addressing the issue of the economic pain experienced by families and businesses on the island.”

The County received 140 proposals for CARES Act programs seeking $130 million in funding. The County is currently working to finalize funding awards to local partners to establish additional assistance programs for community and family resilience, food assistance, and childcare. More details to follow.