Two new state programs to assist businesses and ag producers

More of the state’s pandemic-related federal funding has been put towards assisting businesses, nonprofits, farmers and ranchers who are still suffering losses and additional expenses due to COVID-19. Two new funds will open to applications for around two weeks on November 2.

“These two funds serve important purposes as we near the deadline of the current CARES Act funding,” Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell said in a press release on Monday.

“First, because of the seasonality of agriculture production, this $90 million relief fund allows farmers and ranchers to better capture 2020 losses and expenses related to the pandemic. Second, many Wyoming businesses and nonprofits are not out of the woods yet, and this opportunity for another round of funding will help with the losses businesses have continued to endure.”

The first of the two new funds is the Agriculture Fund, for which $90 million in total will be available. Individual applicants may request up to $250,000.

According to the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), the fund is designed for ranchers and farmers who have lost revenue due to public health orders and is open to any agricultural producer that has been established in Wyoming since at least March 13.

The application can include requests for income losses as well as “extraordinary” expenses incurred from March 13 until the date of application in three specific categories: livestock feed and supplement costs; custom hire and labor costs; and fertilizer, chemical and seed costs.

While the intention is to cover losses related to COVID-19, the WBC has stated that the assumption will be that producers’ loss of income was caused by the coronavirus “because almost all losses can be attributed to the pandemic right now”.

The second new fund is the Endurance Fund, through which $24 million has been allocated as an ongoing pandemic response for COVID-19 related losses and expenses for businesses and some nonprofits.

Eligible entities include affected Wyoming businesses and 501(c)3, (c)6, (c)12 and (c)19 nonprofits that spend no more than 50% of time on lobbying. The entity must have been established on or before March 13 and must be headquartered in Wyoming or have at least 50% of its primary work located here and 60% of employees employed in Wyoming or 60% of payroll directed to Wyoming residents.

The funding is intended to compensate for actual losses and to cover expenses associated with the pandemic including personal protection equipment, sanitizing and cleaning supplies and signage associated with the pandemic.

Again, eligible entities may request up to $250,000. This fund may increase in size over time as unused CARES Act dollars from other programs could be diverted into it.

Applications for both funds close on November 18 because the CARES Act requires that all funding be allocated and reporting complete before the end of the year.

Visit wyobizrelief.org for further information on the two programs and to determine your eligibility.