An amended small business grant program was approved Monday, June 22 by Platte County commissioners.
During the regular administrative session, presiding commissioner Ron Scheiber said the approval of the grant program and the contract with the Platte County Economic Development Council for administration of the program would be tabled until the afternoon, pending a meeting with county attorneys and auditor Kevin Robinson.
Schieber said the county has received very little guidance on the appropriate uses for the $12 million Platte County was awarded through the federal CARES Act, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a last-minute conference call with state officials, the county’s small business grant program was under question, with Schieber stating the intent to give businesses on the cusp of closure grants to ensure they survive is not in question, but other portions assisting businesses to grow needed to be reassessed.
Democratic second district commissioner candidate David Park questioned the county’s definition of a small business and wondered how much of the $12 million the county had set aside for the program.
Schieber said no cap had been set and as the program had yet to start the commission did not know how many businesses may apply for relief.
Park also questioned the county’s intentions regarding the portion of funding intended for disbursal to the City of Kansas City – about $6 million.
Schieber responded that Kansas City had spent about $300,000 in Platte County and so the county did not intend to pass $6 million to the city.
The bulk of the city’s population live in Jackson County, but that county has yet to disburse money to the city. Commissioners said they will watch the situation with surrounding counties, but have no intention of allowing Platte and Clay counties to foot the bill for Jackson.
Also on Monday, Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas held a press conference stating how the city planned to use a portion of funds received from Clay County for COVID relief programs, including business loans and mortgage and rent assistance, within that county.
The commission reconvened at about 3 p.m. Monday to approve the amended Platte County CARES program. During the 10 minute meeting, county attorney Bob Shaw presented the changes hammered out during the executive session.
All changes were made to the rules, regulations and requirements of the program, under section four of the order. Priority in awarding grants will go to Platte County residents who own businesses in Platte County, with secondary priority given to out-of-county residents who own Platte County businesses, but only to cover costs for Platte County locations.
Grants may cover payroll and overhead expenses incurred between March 1 and June 30. Recipients must provide a full accounting report to the county, including invoices and documentation for all grant-related expenditures.
Complete rules and requirements, as well as applications will be made available on the county website at co.platte.mo.us.
Schieber thanked county officeholders and staff for their assistance.
“It’s highly likely as more information comes forward there will be further amendments to this for other grant opportunities for our small businesses,” he said.
Commissioners also approved the agreement with the EDC for administration of the grant program during the afternoon session.