The City of Monmouth has submitted an application for the Illinois Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Program (CURE) through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These federal funds are available under the CARES Act and would be used to reimburse businesses that incurred additional expenses to protect the health and safety of their employees and customers says City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher:
“The City did apply for $250,000. If we are successful, we would make those funds available to businesses to reimburse them for costs that they have incurred. These would be for expenses between March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. For example, the local grants would reimburse businesses for costs that they incurred related to the renovation or modernization of their business property to enhance the safety features for employees and patrons. Improvements to buildings include ventilation system to help with air flow or the purchase of outdoor dining furniture, electrical or propane outdoor heaters or possibility of smokeless portable or permanent fire pits, tents, and those types of things to provide outdoor services.”
Steinbrecher is hopeful for a quick turnaround in acceptance and informs that under the guidelines; businesses that did obtain funds through the Paycheck Protection Program could receive additional monies for operating costs, predominately for rent and natural gas or electric utility bills. Municipal water and sewer bills and payroll expenses would be excluded.
