SALT LAKE CITY — Utah business owners whose revenue has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic could be eligible to receive part of a $25 million grant fund under the "Shop in Utah" program.
“This grant will help businesses and save consumers money,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, in a news release sent to FOX 13. “We hope qualifying Utah businesses take advantage of this great opportunity to receive support from the federal CARES Act fund. We also encourage consumers to ‘Shop In Utah’ and support Utah businesses.”
To qualify, a business has to offer its customers incentives with an estimated value of at least 50 percent of the grant funds allocated to the business.
For example, a business that offers a buy one, get one free promotion worth $5,000 in total savings for its customers, the "Shop in Utah" program would allocate $10,000 in grant funds to the business.
Qualifying businesses must also have been in operation on March 1, experienced a COVID-19-related revenue decline, have employees physically located in Utah, establish that the use of "Shop in Utah" funds will benefit the local economy and not receive funding from Utah's COVID-19 Cultural Assistance Grant "Create in Utah" program.
"Shop in Utah" grant funds may not exceed a business' total loss in revenue due to COVID-19, or $50,000.
Business owners can begin applying for grant funds Monday at 9 a.m. at utahgoed.info/shop-in-utah
Some other examples of how the "Shop in Utah" program will work:
- A manufacturer offers customers a 20% discount for two weeks, committing to $25,000 off retail pricing; Shop In Utah grant amount is $50,000
- A hotel offers 50% off bookings in August, up to $25,000 off retail pricing; Shop In Utah grant amount is $50,000