Up to $20,000 grants now available to local businesses and nonprofits

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — The application process has opened for a multi-million dollar fund that will grant up to $20,000 to Colorado Springs-area businesses or nonprofits in need COVID-19 financial relief.

Money for the El Paso County Regional Business Relief Fund comes from the federal government's CARES Act money given to the county. The El Paso County Economic Development Oversight Committee has partnered with the Colorado Enterprise Fund to disperse grants from the fund. The nonprofit is a lender for small businesses. During the pandemic, its role has shifted to help connect businesses with available government assistance.

It will score applications from businesses and nonprofits as they come in. The final say on how much money applicants get will be up to El Paso County. The money will not need to be paid back.

Any local business or nonprofit needing financial relief is encouraged to sign up for an informational webinar and apply for a grant here.

The Colorado Enterprise Fund tells KRDO, if a business has previously received coronavirus relief funding, it does not disqualify it from getting a grant from the El Paso County Regional Business Relief Fund.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.