PIERRE, South Dakota. October 9, 2020 (Biz Republic) — Governor Kristi Noem announced the launch of the Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program, which will utilize up to $580 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to assist small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Together, South Dakota is rebounding from COVID-19, but some businesses and organizations took a hit from this pandemic,” said Governor Noem. “These folks are the lifeblood of our communities and economy, and it’s our turn to give back to them. I’m grateful to the legislature for stepping up and providing guidance for this program.” There are five components of this program:
— The Small Business COVID Interruption program will provide up to $400 million to help eligible South Dakota small businesses who experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
— The Small Business Startup program will provide up to $10 million in direct grants to recently started eligible South Dakota businesses whose growth has been impacted as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
— The Acute Care in Hospitals program will provide up to $15 million to eligible hospitals that are licensed by the state to provide acute inpatient care. Specifics can be found here.
— The Small Nonprofit COVID Interruption program will provide up to $40 million to eligible South Dakota small nonprofits who have experienced negative impact as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
— The Community Based Healthcare Providers program will provide up to $115 million for eligible community providers who have experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
“I always knew that South Dakota could be an example to the nation; I never expected that such an example would be set in the midst of a global pandemic. But the work that South Dakota did wasn’t just me. It was our team at the Department of Health, the countless medical professionals across our state, teachers, law enforcement officers, grocers, small business owners, moms, dads, grandparents, you name it. It was each and every South Dakotan who stepped up and made our approach work,” Noem said in a statement.
“Tourism, the number two industry in the state, has taken a tremendous hit. But Treasury says we can use this money on tourism efforts. I think many of you have seen our ads promoting South Dakota. As a result, our state parks have been packed with visitors from across the country who want to escape their lockdowns and explore our wide-open spaces.”
“We set aside $75 million for K-12 schools. We launched a Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief program, which will provide up to $580 million to help small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the pandemic. We also set aside $100 million dollars to the re-employment insurance fund, nearly $100 million dollars for state public safety and public health officials, and more than $20 million dollars for universities and technical colleges,” said Governor Noem.
“Together, we will get through this. Together, that’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s important that we remember, especially during difficult times, that we are stronger united, rather than divided. I believe we all have the same goal in mind – making South Dakota safer, stronger, and healthier. Let’s keep working together towards that goal,” Gov. Kristi Noem said.
Eligible businesses and organizations will be able to apply for these various grants from October 13-23, 2020. For assistance, please contact our call center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at 605-937-7243. You can also email covid.bizgrants@state.sd.us or covid.healthcaregrants@state.sd.us.
