Hawaiʻi County opens application process for Kona Low business recovery grant program
Non-agricultural businesses facing storm related losses can apply for County of Hawaiʻi grant funding to help with repairs.
6 hours ago
The new Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program will support eligible Hawaiʻi Island businesses impacted by the storms that occurred from March 13 through March 27.
Targeted grant assistance will be available to Hawaiʻi County businesses that have unmet needs after experiencing Kona Low storm-related physical damage or losses due to business interruption.
A total of $475,000 has been allocated to Hawaiʻi Island for this recovery effort.
The Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program funds are intended to assist eligible non-agricultural businesses operating within the County of Hawaiʻi. Funding may be used for eligible storm-related recovery needs, including equipment repair or replacement, inventory replacement, temporary relocation costs, rent and utilities, cleanup, and water damage.
Grant awards will be made based on the applicant’s gross annual revenue as reflected in the most recently filed federal tax return. Businesses with a gross annual revenue of $250,000 or less will be granted $5,000, and businesses with a gross annual revenue of more than $250,000 and up to $5 million will be granted $10,000.
Businesses must have 500 or fewer employees and must demonstrate storm-related unmet need.
To be eligible, applicants must be non-agricultural businesses that were operating within the County of Hawaiʻi prior to March 13, maintain a physical business location within the county, and demonstrate documented physical damage or business interruption caused by the March 13-27 Kona Low events.
Applicants must also identify an eligible use of grant funds supported by documentation and submit a complete application with all required materials.
Required documentation may include proof of business registration, proof of physical business location, a Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Hawaiʻi, storm impact documentation, insurance claim information, financial statements, tax returns, and other supporting records.
Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Awards are subject to program eligibility, documentation sufficiency, demonstrated unmet need, and availability of funds.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31. No hard-copy applications will be accepted. Applications must be submitted through the Department of Research and Development’s Grant Portal.
The grant portal, program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application materials can be found on the Department of Research and Development website.
