Image by flickr user Jernej Furman

Published: September 21, 2022 – 1:52 PM
Written by business journal staff

Kings County has announced that it will allocate up to $500,000 in funds for the American Rescue Planning Act (ARPA), which was approved by the County Board of Supervisors on July 12.

The funding comes from Kings County’s allocation of $29.7 million from ARPA’s $65.1 billion in direct flexible assistance provided to every county in the country.

$500,000 will be distributed based on population to Avenal ($45,000), Corcoran ($75,000), Hanford ($185,000), Lemoore ($85,000), and unincorporated areas of Kings County ($110,000).

Applicants must maintain a current and valid business license, have no more than 100 full-time employees, and have been in operation prior to March 15, 2020 to qualify for the grant. Under this program, a full-time employee is considered a 40-hour work week, with two part-time employees meeting the equivalent requirement of one full-time employee.

Companies that meet the eligibility requirements will be eligible for the development of a digital marketing program, including professionally produced website videos, website design and upgrades, social media marketing advertisements, and print media for publication on their website. Up to $5,000 will be awarded.

The grant does not include funding the cost of printing the advertisement.

This grant is available to state or federally funded community-based organizations (CBOs), companies that have refused to comply with COVID-19 safety rules, companies with active code enforcement violations, and those who have applied in the last three years. It is not provided to companies that Businesses in bankruptcy or with an unpaid tax lien, or in the cannabis or tobacco industry.

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and Kings County will contact awardees with contract details.

At the end of the program, documentation is required showing a breakdown of expenses. Any expenditure deemed outside the scope of the program must be reimbursed to Kings County.

Submissions to the program can be sent to. info.KingsDigitalMedia@co.kings.ca.usCompanies experiencing issues with their submissions can contact Kyria Martinez at (559) 852-2377.