In a move to bolster local businesses, Plumas County is set to distribute financial lifelines to 20 deserving microbusiness owners this April, aimed at mitigating the lasting impacts of the COVID pandemic. A substantial sum of $409,000 is being dispersed as part of the Microenterprise Business Assistance and Recovery Grant Program, a component of the federal government’s $5 billion COVID relief initiative. These grants, ranging from under $10,000 to the maximum $50,000, are set to boost various kinds of businesses., from tourism and automotive ventures to retail and media outlets, all of which employ five or fewer individuals.
Tracey Ferguson, the county’s planning director, underscores the significance of these grants in sustaining local economic resilience, emphasizing their pivotal role in ensuring business continuity during the tumultuous pandemic era. With a pragmatic approach, the grants aim to cover essential expenses incurred during the three-year pandemic span, including lease or mortgage payments, payroll, utilities, and operational costs.
However, despite the commendable efforts, stringent eligibility criteria have left unassigned funds in the grant pool, prompting proactive measures from the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to optimize resource allocation and extend support to deserving microbusinesses.
Beyond these grants, Plumas County has been proactive in leveraging federal relief funds, with the American Rescue Plan Act channeling $540,000 towards community grants, aimed at fostering stability amidst the pandemic upheaval.
These initiatives underscore a concerted effort to fortify the county’s economic landscape.
