$1.5 million in grant assistance available this week for Lincoln small businesses

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Small businesses impacted by the pandemic have the opportunity to sign up for utility assistance this week.

The grants will be used to pay up to one year of electric and water costs prepaid to Lincoln Electric System and Lincoln Water System.

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott said they hope this grant will provide relief to small businesses, which are the backbone of the city.

“This will just ensure that they can continue to thrive and do well in our community,” she said. “We’re really exited to be able to have this opportunity and to be able to partner with our small businesses and ultimately, the entire community is going to benefit from it.”

The American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are footing the bill (no repayment required).

• You must have 50 employees or fewer
• Your business must be in downtown Lincoln, the Union College business district or north Lincoln

The city said grants will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grace Willnerd with the mayor’s office said they estimate the city will be able to assist around 200 small businesses.

“These businesses don’t have to worry about one or two of their bills,” Willnerd said. “Maybe coming into the holidays, they can hire another person, they can expand their store hours, they can do some maintenance work they’ve been putting off because they just didn’t have those extra dollars to do that.”

For more information on how to apply, visit here. Applications open Wednesday.

Willnerd said the applications will stay open until all of the money is allocated.