La Porte County Lifeline Grants Round 2 Goes Live
***La Porte County Action Fund Application Goes Live on County Website to Small Businesses***
(La Porte Indiana): On Wednesday September 30th, at the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission meeting, Phase 2 of the La Porte County Action Fund went live, making available another $250,000 to small businesses. These lifeline grants are dedicated to support our county’s small business community during this difficult economic period due to the pandemic.
Through decisive leadership of the LaPorte County Commissioners, the County Council and the resourceful action of Office of the Community and Economic Development, La Porte County small businesses will now have the opportunity to apply for Lifeline Grants to support their businesses. Grant review and approval authority rests with Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the local committee comprised of community members serving on the LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission. The grant money comes through OCRA from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which mandates that La Porte County abide by the Low-to Moderate Income guidelines and clearly document each small businesses’ eligibility.
“La Porte County leadership was determined to find funds to support our small business community-the life blood of our local economy- which provides jobs for so many working families. It’s rewarding to see that our focused effort has made another $250,000 available to our county’s small businesses during these tight times due to this pandemic. Small businesses support our local families and keep food on the table for our children. I am truly honored to help lead such a determined group of people who want to do what it takes to assist our community in these tough economic times,” stated LaPorte County Commission President, Sheila Matias.
“The Lifeline Grants Committee of the Redevelopment Commission learned from the first round of approvals and by working closely with the Economic Development team, we have updated the applications to make approvals that much smoother and faster for our small businesses. The new guidelines make it easier for us to help small businesses and we are excited to be doing this once again” Stated LaPorte County Council President, Randy Novak.
“Including both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the La Porte County Action Fund, we have been able to make $500,000 available to small businesses when they need it most. The need for help is here and COVID is not going anywhere any time soon. To be able to support our community and bring in resources from the state and federal government in this time has truly been an honor,” stated Dr. Vidya Kora, Commissioner and member of the LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission.
The first round of the LCAF grants awarded 29 businesses funds between $5,000 and $10,000. Payroll, lease/rent payments, capital equipment purchases, inventory any and COVID related expenses that are required to operate the business safely are examples of the types of eligible expenses planned for businesses. The second round of funding will make up to $10,000 available to approved businesses demonstrating need in the application.
“It takes a village to make things move at the speed we did for this grant. I would like to recognize how critically important each and every member of the LaPorte County Commission, The LaPorte County Council, the LaPorte Redevelopment Commission, Joie Winski, and the County Auditor’s office, Senator Michael Bohacek, Representative James Pressell, Representative Pat Boy, Mr. Mitch Bishop, Planner and grants administrator for LaPorte County and lastly, Bailey McGrath, Com. Dev. Spc.in our Community & Economic Development office. Each and every one of these individuals play such a vital role such that if even one of those individuals was unable to follow through with their support, this vital program would be in jeopardy.” summarized Tony Rodriguez, Director of the LaPorte County Community and Economic Development office.
Applications are now live at laporteco.in.gov.
For more information, please contact Tony Rodriguez at [email protected].