FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County has launched a Small Business Economic Assistance Program funded through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Small businesses with no more than 250 employees that meet program requirements and that can demonstrate economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for up to $50,000 in financial assistance.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the County was awarded $65.2 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF). The Board of Commissioners approved allocating $3.5 million in funding to establish a Small Business Economic Assistance Program.

The application is posted on County’s ARP webpage at cumberlandcountync.gov/ARP under the Small Business tab. The program policy is also posted. Hard copies of the application are available at all eight Cumberland County Public Library locations.

A business is required to have been in operation on or before March 3, 2021, and to still be in operation currently. A contractual relationship will be established between the County and the small business to ensure compliance with County, State and Federal guidelines.

As defined in the federal guidance in the CSLFRF Final Rule, funds may be used for the following:

• Payroll
• Mortgages
• Rent
• Costs associated with mitigation or prevention of COVID-19 such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing or contact tracing programs
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
• Other operating costs as a result of the public health emergency and measures taken to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

For questions, please contact Tye Vaught, Management Analyst, at (910) 678-7776 or tvaught@co.cumberland.nc.us.

Note: Cumberland County Government offices will be closed Friday, Jan. 21, due to the winter storm.