Financial assistance is available to La Porte County businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
About $250,000 in grants through the La Porte County Action Fund is available to small businesses in La Porte County. Grant applications can be submitted to La Porte County, which are reviewed by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission.
“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,” said Sheila Matias, LaPorte County Commission president. “Small businesses support our local families and keep food on the table for our children.”
Funding for the program comes from the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which mandates that La Porte County abide by the low-to-moderate Income guidelines and clearly document each small businesses' eligibility.
Randy Novak, La Porte County Council president, said the grant review process has been streamlined, which should expedite approvals.
“The new guidelines make it easier for us to help small businesses and we are excited to be doing this once again,” he said.
La Porte County officials credited a previous $250,000 grant program for assisting more than two dozen businesses and saving 144 jobs.
The first round of grants awarded 29 businesses between $5,000 and $10,000, which could be used for payroll, lease/rent payments, capital equipment purchases, inventory and pandemic-related expenses. The latest round of grant awards will be up to $10,000 per applicant who demonstrate need in their application.
The grant application is available on the La Porte County government website. Questions should be directed to Tony Rodriguez, director of the LaPorte County Community and Economic Development office.
