Pima County is offering small business grants to help daycare providers stay open amid an uncertain future.
In a memo to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Administrator Chuck Huckelberry says the county will be providing grants of up to $10,000 to facilities outside of the city of Tucson. That grant money can be used for costs associated with reopening safely amid the pandemic. The county says the grants can cover a wide range of expenses, including: "rent, lease and mortgage payments; utilities; payroll expenses; licensing fees; liability insurance; cleaning supplies; classroom materials and supplies, personal protective equipment; and renovations to meet pandemic operational guidelines."
Huckelberry says they are encouraging the city of Tucson to develop a similar program for daycare facilities within city limits.
The county child care facilities must also meet the following requirements for eligibility:
- Business must be a Certified DES Family Child Care Provider or an Arizona Department of Health Services licensed Child Care Center.
- Business must have 30 employees or less.
- Business finances must have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Business must have been legally established as of February 2020.
- You must provide invoices and proof of payment for reimbursable expenses made since March 1, 2020.
- You are limited to one grant per business owner (not per physical business location).
For more information, or to apply, head to the county's website.
