Second local business grant program for Bishop and Big Pine affected by the  COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of Bishop Rotary Clubs and the Bishop Chamber of Commerce.

The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a second local grant program to benefit businesses that have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Bishop Rotary Clubs and their many generous donors, more than $7,000 will be awarded via micro-grants of $500 to $2,000 each.

This grant program is intended to assist local businesses to improve service by purchasing health and safety equipment and/or enhancing web presence with online ordering, sales, and appointment software so they may continue to operate during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

All businesses in the Bishop area and Big Pine are eligible. While the Bishop Chamber is helping to administer the program, you do not have to be a member to apply. All applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee utilizing a two-stage process to ensure equality and fairness.

It is important to note that unlike the SBA programs, this is not a first-come, first-served application process.

Applications will open on August 14th and close on August 28th, 2020. All applications will be reviewed after the close date and grant awards will be announced by September 7th.

“We are very grateful to Bishop Rotary Clubs for organizing this fundraising effort to support our local businesses,” states Tawni Thomson, Executive Director of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce.

Some businesses have had to make significant investments in order to keep operating in these changing times. This program will help them now and into the future.”

Questions regarding the application should be directed to the Bishop Chamber of Commerce via email –
[email protected]. To make a contribution or inquire about the fundraising for the project, email [email protected].