More than 900 Wyoming businesses received more than $25 million in one day from the state’s Business Interruption Stipend program, according to state figures.
Figures on the Wyoming transparency page showed that on Wednesday, 915 companies received $25.3 million, bringing the total distributed under the program since it launched in June to almost $80.5 million.
The total number of Wyoming businesses to receive assistance under the program so far is 3,191, with applications still under review from about another 1,000 businesses. The deadline for submitting applications was July 2.
The Business Interruption Stipend program was one of three approved by the Legislature this year to help Wyoming businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting business slowdown. Funding for the programs comes from $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus assistance funds sent to the state.
The Business Interruption Stipend program is designed specifically for businesses employing 50 or fewer people.
The maximum grant available under the program is $50,000 and as of Wednesday, 831 businesses had received the maximum, many of them restaurants, bars and hotels.
The state’s other two relief programs are scheduled to start later this month.
One program, the Coronavirus Business Relief Stipend, will provide up to $300,000 for companies that employ fewer than 100 people that were forced to shut down or curtail operations because of state health orders issued to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The other, The Coronavirus Mitigation Fund, is designed to compensate businesses for expenses they faced directly related to the coronavirus, such as the purchase of cleaning products, personal protective equipment and the cost of hiring new employees to comply with public health orders.
