Small Business Boost Grant Program Opens for Applications on Monday

Applications for Kaua‘i County’s Small Business Boost Grant Program will be open starting on Aug. 24 at 9 a.m.

The purpose of this grant program is to support small businesses and nonprofit organizations on Kaua‘i that have been impacted by COVID-19. This program emerged as a recommendation from the Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Strategy Team (KERST) under the leadership of Nalani Brun, director of the Office of Economic Development, and Reiko Matsuyama, director of Finance.

The program is funded by the county’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The County of Kaua‘i is contributing $5 million from its share of the federal CARES Act funds towards this grant program. The county has partnered with four of Kaua‘i’s local credit unions to create and administer the grant: Kaua‘i Government Employees FCU, Gather FCU, HawaiiUSA FCU, and Kaua‘i Teachers FCU.

“These credit unions have been instrumental in developing this grant and we could not offer this valuable resource without their support,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “We also thank and appreciate the support of Mark Perriello and the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce for their insights as we continue to seek opportunities that support our business community.”

The Small Business Boost Grant will provide $7,500 to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations on Kaua‘i with less than 20 employees. To be eligible for the grant, businesses must have been in operation on Kaua‘i for at least one year prior to their application and intend to remain in business. Additional requirements will be outlined in the eligibility criteria and posted on the county’s Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i website. The website also includes an FAQ and other program information.

Interested applicants should apply through the online application portal, which will open on Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. A link to the portal will be shared on the Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i website at that time.

Those in need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, should contact Therilyn Martin-Haumea at the Office of Economic Development at 808-241-4299 as soon as possible.

Applications will be reviewed in the order by which they are received.