County Commission approves $140K for small businesses

Photo courtesy Nakato Facebook

Nakato Japanese Steakhouse is receiving $20,000 for PPE and other expenses.

The Greene County Commission yesterday gave the nod to another $140,000 worth of small-business grants.

JYO LLC, the operator of Nakato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, was the top small-business recipient in the latest round of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grants. Nakato received $20,000 for personal protective equipment, payroll and other equipment, according to a news release.

In total, $140,249 was delivered to 20 small businesses. By grant amount, they are:
• Nakato, $20,000;
• Arctic Food Equipment, $15,000 for information technology upgrades;
• HJ Lodging, the operator of La Quinta Inn & Suites, $10,000 for PPE and child care;
• Boti Architects LLC, $10,000 for technology:
• O&G Properties, $10,000 for mortgage and utilities;
• Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc., $7,450 for PPE;
• Inflatable Gorilla LLC, the operator of Jump Mania, $5,000 for payroll, rent and utilities;
• Love4Life Wellness, $5,000 for operations;
• The Hillbenders LLC, $5,000 for technology;
• Prehistoric Brewing Co. LLC, $5,000 for operations;
• Double Jacks, $5,000 for operations;
• Schilling/Sellmeyer & Associates Inc., $5,000 for computer equipment;
• Springfield Riding Club LLC, $5,000 for staffing and disinfecting;
• Historic Firehouse LLC; $5,000 for event deposit refunds;
• Fusion Link Communications LLC, $5,000 for payroll;
• Springfield Braiding Co. LLC, $5,000 for rent and utilities;
• Stressed Out Humans LLC, $5,000 for cleaning and online expenses;
• Your Digital Marketing Assistant, $5,000 for sole proprietor pay;
• Mabins LLC, the operator of Drain Pro Plumbing, $5,000 for payroll; and
• Joyride Midwest LLC, $2,799 for operations.

With the latest funding round, the county has issued more than $1 million in CARES Act grants to small businesses. The category has a total funding source of $6.5 million, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Last week, the county announced an extension of the small-business application deadline to Sept. 30.

The county has until year's end to distribute $34.4 million in federal funds.

Commissioners yesterday also approved more than $595,000 for taxpayer-supported entities and nearly $362,000 for nonprofits and community organizations, according to the release.

Greene County was the top recipient in the taxpayer-supported entities category, receiving $238,400 for operations. In nonprofits and community organizations, The Arc of the Ozarks received the top amount, at $99,299 for PPE and personnel costs.

Commissioners are approving the grant funds after a 30-member volunteer advisory committee reviews applications and then makes recommendations, according to the release.