In response to the COVID19 crisis, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is awarding grants to small businesses in rural communities through its Rapid Relief and Resiliency Fund,
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Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where your business address is located. If the business is mobile (a food truck, fishing boat, ride share driver, etc) the address where the vehicle is stored during non-business hours is considered the business address.
Grants will be made in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. LISC will use the funding to provide grants to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of Covid-19.
Eligible uses of funds include:
- Payables to include rent and utilities.
- Payroll (including applicant).
- Paying outstanding debt to vendors.
- Other immediate operational costs.
Applications are being accepted in “rounds”. You must submit a new application for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Application period for 9/28-10/5 is now open.
- Please read the Frequently Asked Questions:
- Online application
- See Census population data for Hawaii County Census Divisions