$975K CARES Act grant issued for SWMO businesses

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments was selected for a $975,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grant.

The funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration establishes a revolving loan fund through which small businesses and entrepreneurs can apply for financial pandemic assistance in 10 counties, according to a news release. Based in Springfield, the Southwest Missouri Council serves Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster counties.

“These EDA investments will provide support and resources for small businesses to recover from the pandemic, strengthen workforce development programs, secure critical gap financing for businesses in southwest Missouri and support training, education and assistance," said Dennis Alvord, the Commerce Department's acting assistant secretary for economic development, in the release.

The Commerce Department also announced $1.2 million in funds for the Mid-America Regional Council Community Services Corp. in Kansas City and $608,484 for the Curators of the University of Missouri in Columbia.

The Economic Development Administration received $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs through the CARES Act, according to the release.