Hills to distribute CARES Act dollars to eligible local businesses

The city of Hills will allocate $50,327 to eligible businesses within the city limits if owners meet the eligibility requirements.
Council members unanimously supported the recommendation of Mayor Keith Elbers.
“The city is not going to keep anything,” he said.
Cities can reimburse themselves for coronavirus pandemic expenditures or distribute the funds within their communities with the CARES Act dollars received earlier this month.
Council members thought the money would be put to better use in the business community in the form of grants.
“It’s not a cure-all but it’s going to help,” Elbers said.
Grant applications are due Aug. 3 and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
A committee will meet to award the funds after the application deadline.
To be eligible, businesses must meet four criteria:
•must be a locally owned and operated for-profit business with a physical establishment within the city of Hills.
•must have operated for at least 12 months prior to March 1.
•must be current on property taxes prior to May 15 and, if applicable, any required licenses must be valid and in good standing. Also must be current on all city utilities through the March 2020 billing cycle.
•must demonstrate a COVID-19 related loss since March 1.
Modeled after the Rock County Small Business Relief application, the City of Hills Small Business Relief Fund application is four pages in length and asks business owners to provide a narrative on how COVID-19 has negatively affected revenue or projected revenue since March 1.
Forms can be picked at the Hills City Hall. Phone 507-962-3290 with questions.