As the state of Arkansas prepares to reopen its economy, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the Arkansas Ready for Business $15 million grant program to assist businesses in the process and, hopefully, build consumer confidence.
The grants are being administered through the Arkansas Department of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. Up to $100,000 will be available per company, which will account $1,000 per full-time employee. Eligible expenses include personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer stations, cleaning supplies and services and other one-time expenses to enable business to reopen and resume normal operations. They can be backdated to March 1, 2020.
According to Secretary of Commerce Michael Preston, the grants are a “lifeline” through the state to help businesses meet health guidelines and reopen safely. The grants are not expected to be paid back.
Gov. Hutchinson also announced that restaurants will be able to open for limited dine-in services on May 11 if they follow proper health guidelines and have personal protective equipment like masks and gloves. The grant program will help restaurants in addition to other businesses across various industries offset the expenses associated with ensuring the health and safety of everyone.
“As you invest in safety and health, the consumers will have confidence and say ‘yes, this is someplace good to go. We are confident in the health precautions that are there.’ So, we want to give those kinds of grants to build consumer confidence as well as to help the businesses,” Gov. Hutchinson said.
Applications will be accepted at www.ArkansasEDC.com/COVID19
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