Businesses and nonprofits in Unalaska can now apply for aid from the city's share of CARES Act funding.
The City of Unalaska is slated to receive over $13 million in funds from the federal CARES Act, which is aimed at assisting local communities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city is trying to develop a plan as to how to best utilize those funds, which will come in three installments.
"We were looking at a breakdown from a percentage standpoint with 25 percent for grants, 35 percent for our response, and then 45 percent for future prevention," said Interim Finance Director Jim Sharpe, speaking at a special City Council meeting about CARES Act funding on Monday.
He said the city is looking at how to best distribute the first installment of the funding, which is approximately $5.4 million. The other two installments – of about $3.9 million each – will be made available later in the year.
While the city has yet to finalize the breakdown of where funding will go, it opened an online portal Wednesday to accept pre-applications from businesses and nonprofits.
Eligible businesses must have a City of Unalaska business license issued before March 12, 2020, which is when the city opened its Emergency Operations Center in response to the virus. Not-for-profit organizations must demonstrate they existed prior to that date as well.
The city said in a press release that this is a pre-application that is being generated by the City Council's desire to rapidly assist businesses struggling from COVID-related issues, including compliance with state and local health mandates. It does not guarantee funding.
The pre-application period closes on Monday, June 22 at noon.
Councilors will review staff recommendations for the funds at their meeting June 23.
For more information, contact the city's Planning Department at 581-3100 or email caresgrant@ci.unalaska.ak.us.
