WE ARE ONE | SOMOS UNO RESILIENCY FUND SMALL BUSINESS UTILITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS OPEN OCTOBER 5
WE ARE ONE | SOMOS UNO RESILIENCY FUND
SMALL BUSINESS UTILITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS OPEN OCTOBER 5
(Tucson, AZ – September 30, 2020) Mayor Regina Romero and Council approved $1M in CARES funds to help small businesses with utilities. The Small Business Utility Assistance grant program will start accepting applications Monday, October 5, at 1 PM.
Eligible businesses must have faced economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Preference will be given to small businesses that did not receive assistance from other programs and to woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, disabled-owned, and otherwise disadvantaged groups to increase the equitable dispersion of grant funds throughout the City of Tucson.
“Small businesses are at the heart of our economy and many have had to make tough financial decisions to keep operations going during the pandemic,” said Mayor Regina Romero. “Providing aid to pay outstanding utility bills can help alleviate some of the stress of running a business during this challenging time and allow business owners to keep serving our community.”
The Women's Business Center of the YWCA Southern Arizona will administer the Small Business Utility Assistance Grants. The grants will provide up to $4,000 to pay electric, water, and gas/sewer/trash utility bills. The grant will not cover cable and telephone bills. Grants will be awarded directly to utility companies under the business’s account to cover delinquent bills.
Small businesses with less than 50 employees within the City of Tucson or City of South Tucson are eligible to apply. Applications and eligibility requirements will be available in English and Spanish at ywcatucson.org starting Monday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
“Through our programs, we get to see the drive and passion of our City’s small business owners, most which are trying to survive the effects of the pandemic day-by-day,” said Magdalena Verdugo, CEO of the YWCA of Southern Arizona. “From limited capacity at restaurants to a reduction in orders because of the economy, small businesses are fighting to stay open. We are thankful the City has partnered with us to get much needed assistance in the hands of struggling businesses.”
Small Business Utility Assistance Grants
Applications: ywcatucson.org
Open: Monday, October 5, 2020 at 1 p.m.
###
To learn more about the City of Tucson's We Are One | Somos Uno Resiliency Fund or to request an interview with Mayor Regina Romero, please contact Communications Director Myriam Cruz at myriam.cruz@tucsonaz.gov or 602-748-9838.
About YWCA Southern Arizona
YWCA Southern Arizona has been a leader in the fight for economic and social justice for over 100 years with a mission to "eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all." Each year, YWCA programs and services seek to empower women by advancing family well-being, financial stability, entrepreneurship, leadership, and job training. For more information call (520) 884-7810 or visit ywcatucson.org.
Myriam Cruz
Communications Director
Mayor Regina Romero | City of Tucson
