By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Applications were continuing to come in today, the final day that businesses and nonprofits can apply for City and Borough of Sitka grants to help offset the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s ramped up,” said Rob Allen, the city’s CARES Act grant technician.
The deadline is 5 p.m. today.
Allen said he received 20 more electronic applications over the weekend, and some submitted on paper at city hall.
As of noon today, he had processed 270 for a total of $1,387,000. The Assembly approved $5 million to distribute in grants, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
The city received $14 million in CARES Act funds.
Allen said 140 more applications are waiting to be processed.
Of the 270 processed so far:
- 25 are from nonprofits.
- 90 are from fishermen.
- 10 are from charter skippers.
- 15 are from deckhands.
The rest are from for-profit business owners.
“They’re still coming in,” Allen said.
He said he’s received mostly positive comments from applicants who’ve called, although a few have said they could use more financial help than the amount distributed. If an applicant has not filled out the paperwork correctly, or is missing documents, Allen calls or emails to follow up.
The most important step is to apply before the deadline, in order to be eligible, Allen said.
“As long as they get it in on time – and get the three pages done – we can work with them,” he said.
The application is available on the city COVID website at cityofsitka.org
City Controller Melissa Haley, who starts her job as finance director Tuesday, said the goal is to get the funds out as soon as possible, likely sometime within a month.
