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71 businesses get $3,000 assistance from City of Ripon
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During these tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ripon businesses recently received some financial relief.

The Small Business Assistance Grant helped out places considered “non-essential” with 40 or fewer part-time and / or full-time employees.

Each of these small businesses were located within city limits with a valid business license (as of March 1, 2020) and remained in good standing with the City of Ripon – as in no code violations or delinquent accounts prior to March 1.

“In all, 71 local small businesses applied and received the grant,” Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart said at last week City Council meeting. “Not only did this program assist in some small way with businesses during this difficult time, it provided a benefit to the City by hopefully keeping these businesses afloat – of which, a majority makes up Ripon’s businesses composition.”

Council allocated up to $300,000 towards the program with qualified grant applicants receiving $3,000 to assist businesses with their monthly rent / lease, payroll, and /or utility bills.

Applications were made available on the City’s website as well as Nixle.

“I would like to thank the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and Kelly (Donohue’s) team for being such a great help with implementing the grant program and assisting businesses with their applications – they all did a great job with getting the word out to all the businesses,” Zuidervaart said.

He added that the Small Business Assistance Grant was implemented on June 3, with applications being accepted during a three-week period.

“Staff did receive many phone calls, emails, and even cards, thanking the Council for this much-needed assistance during this time,” Zuidervaart said.