Nine Businesses Apply for Local Funding Assistance

With the onset of the COVID-19 virus and the social distancing limits set, local businesses felt the pinch hard and fast. Businesses that depended on constant foot traffic found themselves questioning their future.

A few weeks ago, Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard approached the city council about applying LB840 funds to assist businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 virus. The proposal was for limited funds to be available as low-interest and forgivable loans.

The Economic Development Committee met April 24, reviewing nine applications and approving six for recommendation before the city council.

"That added up to $50,000 in funds," Norgard said.

The funds are forgivable and no-interest loans.

The program option has been well-received overall, she said.

"Most all businesses have been super-excited," Norgard said Monday morning.

The federal government approved a Stimulus package of about $2 trillion, including $1,200 per person, $2,400 per couple filing taxes jointly, and $500 per child under 17.

The program also included $500 billion in loans, loan guarantees and investments, and a paycheck protection plan. Much of the funding available to businesses was quickly committed, leading to a second funding package valued at an estimated $310 billion. The funds are expected to last a little more than a week.

Norgard said the advantage of working with the local program is the funding is allocated within a week. She encourages business owners who have questions to call her. If she doesn't have the the answer, she will seek a solution.

"We just want to try and help businesses keep their doors open," she said.

Applications for the LB840 business assistance program are being accepted through May 31. Applications are available through the city's website: https://cityofsidney.org/86/Economic-Development.

As of Monday, April 24, restrictions are beginning to ease. As of May 4, restaurants will be able to provide dine-in services. Businesses will be limited to 50 percent of rated occupancy maximum at a time, and continue with the six feet of separation between seating of different parties. Each table can have a maximum of six people, self-serve buffets and salad bars are prohibited. Bear seating is allowed.

Indoor movie theaters will remain closed until May 31, but are subject to change before that date, according to a press release from the COVID-19 Unified Command, a partnership including the Panhandle Public Health District. The updated Directed Health Measures (DHM) also including beauty and nail salons, barber shops massage services and tattoo parlors can reopen May 4 under the 10-person rule, and both workers and patrons must wear masks.