Deadlines Loom For Small Business Grants, But Application Help, And More, Is Available

Although the doors at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) office in the depot are closed to the public, staff members are working hard to support our area businesses. Executive Director of both organizations, Shannon Landauer, says the impact becomes more far-reaching every day.

The Chamber has distributed information to local businesses helping them identify whether they are essential or non-essential and Iowa State Ciras has also provided resources for manufacturing and production mainly on their status as well. A link to that is included below. Landauer says another invaluable resource, Kimberly Tiefenthaler with the Small Business Development Center, is working in the Chamber offices in Carroll to help get answers to area businesses as quickly as possible and more.

This can include businesses owned 51 percent or more by women, minorities, disabled veterans or disabled individuals. The City of Carroll has also worked with the CADC to develop the Carroll Small Business Relief Program, allocating $100,000 in Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T) funds to help businesses now, prior to the delivery of state and federal aid.

The first round of applications for the Carroll grants are due by Thursday, April 2. Recipients will be determined right away with payments potentially going out as early as this Friday. Landauer says the application process has been simplified; there are, however, some requirements.

This is not limited to businesses that have mandated closures. Landauer says she does not have any solid numbers as of yet on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Carroll and area businesses, but now, more than ever, it is important for everyone to support local.