We at the Grand Junction Area Chamber are constantly seeking ways to help the businesses of the Grand Valley thrive. This quest for delivering viable business information and resources has only compounded in our current times of COVID-19 and the ever-changing landscape within it for small businesses. It is with those challenges in mind that we started the Mesa County COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grant.
This Enterprise Zone Contribution Project is made possible by our amazing partnership with the leadership of the Mesa County Enterprise Zone (EZ), its administrator, and our economic development partners in Mesa County. The grant program is designed to give a bit of financial relief to small businesses severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and who are located within the EZ boundaries in Mesa County.
Through generous donations to the project from The City of Grand Junction and The Grand Junction Rotary Club, funds were recently awarded to five small businesses in the Grand Valley. These severely affected businesses ranged from the service industry and event venues such as Warehouse 2565 Kitchen + Bar and Mesa Theater to professional services and retail establishments like First Class Travel and Triple Play Records. The small grants helped ensure stability to the affected businesses and will result in over 40 jobs retained while additionally allowing mortgage payments, lease payments, utility payments and the like to continue to be paid and business operations to remain into the foreseeable future.
Should you or your business want to help other severely affected businesses the EZ contribution project allows Colorado taxpayers, both business and individual, the opportunity to earn Colorado income tax credits by contributing to targeted efforts such as specific economic development plans that results in job creation and retention along with business retention and expansion. EZ Contributions follow Federal Charitable Contribution rules. The taxpayer may claim the tax credit when filing one’s state income taxes.
Find out how you can donate to this program or apply to receive a grant for your small business by contacting C.J. Rhyne at cj@gjchamber.org.