Topeka Approves $1M In New Grants For Small Businesses; Private Donations Reach Almost $500,000

TOPEKA, Kan., April 2, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GO Topeka is pleased to announce that the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) has approved $1 million in additional relief grants for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new HOST Relief Grants are intended to provide sustainable support and capital to local businesses in Shawnee County, Kan.

The public dollars will complement private dollars raised since March 21. To date, $476,000 has been raised through 23 private donors. Together they form the HOST Relief Program. HOST, which stands for Helping Others Support Topeka, is a small business emergency resource fund designed to provide immediate aid. Announced on March 23, the intention of this effort is to generate up to $2 million in economic stimulus for businesses and displaced workers affected by COVID-19.

"For weeks now, we have been fielding calls from small businesses in the area. Anxiety is high, and many are struggling to meet day-to-day expenses. So, you can imagine what these additional funds will mean to the small businesses in our community," says Glenda Washington, senior vice president of Women & Minority Business Development, a program of GO Topeka. "It affords them not only monetary relief but also additional confidence that they will be able to make it through this crisis."

Applications for publicly funded HOST Relief Grants are found at SupportTopeka.com/HOST. Small businesses will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant money through this program.

Businesses selected for private HOST Relief support will be notified. Gift cards will be distributed to displaced workers in Shawnee County, who have been impacted by COVID-19. Employers who have had to temporarily or permanently reduce staffing are encouraged to apply at SupportTopeka.com/HOST for gift card relief for their employees who were released from work. Each person is eligible to receive $250 in aid.

"In a time of need, Topeka always comes together, even from 6 feet away. I am amazed at the outpouring of support from local and regional businesses," says Scott Hunsicker, owner and president, Kansas Financial Resources, and lead organizer of the HOST Relief effort. "Topeka is a survivor ? from the '66 Tornado to the current COVID-19 crisis. Local and regional businesses are the lifeblood of our community. It is important that we assist them during this time. We lose alone and win together."

"These grants will provide aid to those most affected by the challenges brought by COVID-19," says Molly Howey, president of GO Topeka. "It is GO Topeka's hope that the HOST Relief Program can give small businesses and displaced workers in Shawnee County some hope for the future. We are committed to giving this community the support it needs to make it through these hardships."

"When this community decides to take action, it doesn't hesitate. I am extremely proud of this effort," said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. "As a community, we should really celebrate this extraordinary show of strength and unity and recognize that not many other communities throughout the U.S. can provide the same kind of support."

Donors include:

• Alma Creamery
• Capital City Oil
• Capitol Federal
• Creative One
• Ed Eller Inc.
• Edward Jones Associates of Shawnee County
• Federal Home Loan Bank
• Gary Woodland
• Mark and Lisa Heitz
• Innovation Design Group
• Kansas City Life
• Kansas Financial Resources
• Kansas Secured Title
• Magellan Financial
• Market Synergy
• MCP Build McElroy's
• Mark & Sandy Ruelle
• Schendel Lawn and Landscape
• Security Benefit Group
• Silver Lake Bank
• Lance Sparks Trust
• Vision Bank

About HOST Relief Program
The HOST Relief Program is a small business emergency resource fund that was developed by private sector leaders and is being facilitated by GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership. More details on the HOST Relief Program, including how donors, small businesses and individuals can participate, can be found at http://SupportTopeka.com/HOST. Participation requests will be evaluated by the Host Relief Committee.

About GO Topeka
GO Topeka creates opportunities for economic growth that provide a thriving business climate and fulfilling lifestyle for Topeka and Shawnee County. GO Topeka operates under the Greater Topeka Partnership, the leading economic development agency in the region. https://www.gotopeka.com/

About Greater Topeka
The Greater Topeka area in Shawnee County represents a community of 178,915 people, located in the Greater Kansas City region. As the state capital of Kansas, Topeka is home to a dynamic employer base with headquartered companies including Hill's Pet Nutrition, Advisors Excel, Security Benefit, Capitol Federal and Evergy. Topeka is proud to be a part of the #KCHeartland.

SOURCE Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO)