Cloud County to sponsor CDBG-CVR programCloud County to sponsor CDBG-CVR program

A proposal for Cloud County to serve as the sponsor for Community Development Block Grant – COVID Resiliency (CDBG-CVR) program funds was approved by the county board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday.
CloudCorp executive director Nicole Reed and North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) strategic development advisor Deb Ohlde presented the plan to the board of commissioners.
CloudCorp and NCRPC will partner on applying for the funds and distributing them to qualifying businesses if awarded.
The Kansas Department of Commerce made $2 million available through the CDBG-CVR program to enable cities and counties to address issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic when no other funds are available. It is a competitive CDBG grant with an application window that closes August 30, 2023.
Funding for the program was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Communities can request up to $150,000 for eligible expenses.
Eligible activities for the CDBG-CVR program include COVID resiliency improvements for businesses such as:
• Upgrades to remain open and prevent future closures due to community illnesses and public health emergencies
• Technology, hardware, and software upgrades
• E-commerce updates
• Professional development and training
• Other updates that can be directly related to resiliency improvements
Companies must have been in operation prior to March 1, 2020, to be eligible.
All projects must be scheduled to be completed within 12 months of the project award date. Each expense must be documented with an invoice and proof of payment. Only improvements done after the grant award will be eligible.
Eligible businesses must have at least 51% of their employees meet the low- to moderate-income (LMI) standards. Like other CDBG grants, cities and counties will apply for the funds on behalf of eligible businesses and then make the funds available, administering the program locally. Non-LMI communities can still qualify for this funding if not an entitlement community. The LMI requirement is determined by the business and not the city.
Businesses with five or fewer employees are eligible to receive up to $30,000. Businesses between six and 50 employees are eligible to receive up to $50,000.