Kanawha County Commission announces ALLKAN
County-wide Small Business Grant Program
County has allocated $500,000 for small business grants
Charleston, W.Va. – Today, the Kanawha County Commission began accepting applications for the new ALLKAN small business grant program. ALLKAN is a financial assistance program for small businesses in Kanawha County. The intent of the program is to encourage investment in the new or expanding businesses, with an emphasis on businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will offer grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses with 25 or fewer employees. The Kanawha County Commission has allocated $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the program.
Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango stated, “We’ve had tremendous success helping businesses in the Upper Kanawha Valley with the UKAN program. Today, we are opening the ALLKAN program to small businesses county-wide.” Commissioner Salango added, “COVID made it incredibly difficult for small businesses to keep their doors open, and we are still experiencing rising costs and supply chain problems. With the ALLKAN program, Kanawha County is offering grants of up to $25,000 to start or expand businesses throughout the county.”
Kanawha County Commission President W. Kent Carper stated, “Helping small businesses is one eligible use of American Rescue Plan funds. As we have done from day one, Kanawha County’s process will be totally transparent, and all grant awards will be discussed and voted on in a public meeting.”
Commissioner Lance Wheeler added, “I’ve made economic development one of my top priorities. Small businesses employ thousands of residents in Kanawha County, and I’m confident the ALLKAN program will help our small business owners expand and create new jobs.”
The ALLKAN grant application, as well as more information concerning the application process and program requirements, can be found at www.kanawha.us or by calling 304-357-0101.
Applicants will be required to submit a business plan that includes a description of the business, a three-year operating pro forma, a description of how the funds will be utilized, as well as other components as more fully described on the application. All applications will be posted on the County’s website, and all funding awards will be made during a Kanawha County Commission meeting.