Hawaii County is promising that soon, county residents, small business owners and non-profit organizations can apply for financial assistance under the Federal CARES Act Program.

The County plans to distribute $32 million of a total of $80 million in Federal funding via local organizations to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The County says there will be a number of programs to distribute the grant money:

 Business and Non-Profit Grants – Hawai‘i Island Credit Unions:   Participating credit unions will provide up to $10,000 for unduplicated gap funding to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or non-profit must employ 50 people or less.

Individual Grants to Prevent Homelessness – Hawaiian Community Assets, Inc.:  With participating partners to provide unduplicated emergency rent, lease or mortgage payments for households directly impacted by COVID-19.

Non-Governmental Utilities Assistance – Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council:  Up to $500 of unduplicated utility payment assistance to households directly impacted by COVID-19.

Although none of the programs are open now, the County has posted a list of the documentation it expects will be required for each program,  and invites people to sign up for email updates at www.hawaiicounty.gov/cares