Get in Cloud funds awarded to two projects

Two projects were awarded a total of $75,000 in Get in the Cloud small business grant funds by the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday morning.
The board voted to approve $50,000 in grant funds to Steven and Brittany Salgado to purchase the former Heavy's Steakhouse & BBQ building at 103 West Seventh St., make repairs to the front of the building and permanent fixtures and open Maverick's Steakhouse, and $25,000 to Mikesell Automotive, dba Budreau Muffler Automotive & Tow, to widen the south entrance and expand services in order to lift, align and repair medium to heavy-duty vehicles.
Steven and Brittany Salgado plan to offer choice steaks, chops, seafood and more at Maverick's Steakhouse.
Steven Salgado has eight years of experience in kitchen management at various restaurants. He spent three years at two high-end eating establishments in Kansas City.
Brittany Salgado has experience as a waitress and kitchen experience. She received an associate's degree in chef apprenticeship and food and beverage management from Johnson County Community College.
Maverick's Steakhouse is expected to employ 23 people, nine kitchen staff and 14 wait staff.
According to the application for grant funds submitted by Mikesell Automotive, businesses with medium to large trucks have to go out of town to have alignments completed on their vehicles. Expanding Budreau Muffler & Tow will allow businesses to stay local. It will also add a great deal of efficiency in being able to service more vehicles in a shorter period of time. The expansion will increase sales tax and add 1.5 full-time jobs.
The county commission approved awarding CloudCorp $125,000 in Meridian Way Wind Farm funds, provided by EDP Renewables, for the Get in the Cloud grant program.
The Get in the Cloud grants are intended to encourage economic development in the county and increase property value of existing structures or land.
Entrepreneurs who meet the requirements can apply for a grant of 50 percent of the start-up costs or $50,000, whichever is less, to fund eligible expenses of the proposed project.
With $75,000 awarded by the commission, there are $50,000 in grant funds available for the remainder of 2020.