John Orona | Staff Writer
Last year, the state set aside more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds for local jurisdictions that were not directly funded through the CARES Act recovery bill.
Now, the latest reports on how those funds were spent are becoming available.
Nevada County was allocated just over $10 million, more than $4 million of which was spent on staffing for public health and safety employees.
Across the state, costs for staffing additional public health and safety employees accounted for nearly 18% of all expenditures, making it on average the second highest cost driver after facilitating distance learning, which accounted for more than 21% of costs statewide.
Submitted to the Sierra Sun
On Dec. 22, Truckee Town Council unanimously approved an allocation of $75,000 to support small, locally-owned businesses most impacted by the State’s Regional Stay Home Order and Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework to slow the spread of COVID-19. The council’s action will support micro- grants to small businesses through the Nevada County Relief Fund program.
Facing the onset of colder weather and the Regional Stay at Home Order, many businesses find themselves battling to survive during these challenging times. Earlier this month, the Nevada County Relief Fund launched a “Small Business Winter Survival Campaign” to raise funds to support micro-grants to hard-hit businesses, and Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a $100,000 challenge grant to support this program. The Town’s $75,000 contribution will expand the reach of this program to Truckee businesses.
By Victoria Penate | Staff Writer
The pandemic brought an uncertain year for many businesses, with some industries remaining steady or even seeing growth, and others struggling as public health measures required modified operation or closure.
These are the Top 5 business stories for 2020:
1) CLOSURES, MODIFICATIONS AS PANDEMIC SET IN
By March 16, following the very first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nevada County, some businesses closed their doors for example, Pete’s Pizza and Tess’ Kitchen Store in Grass Valley, which closed temporarily, and City Council Coffee in Nevada City, which has closed permanently.
The same week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order, mandating that some types of businesses, including bars, wineries, and movie theaters, close, and that restaurants observe certain precautions.
Nevada County small businesses most impacted by the state stay-at-home order and the county’s move into the purple tier will be able to apply for $5,000 micro-loans starting today through Jan. 6.
Nevada County supervisors approved a $100,000 challenge grant to the Nevada County Relief Fund Tuesday that they are hoping will be matched by the community.
People can apply or donate at http://www.nevcorelief.org
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Previous rounds have raised nearly $800,000 in funding, including $100,000 from the supervisors opening grant and $250,000 directed from state Coronavirus Relief Funds.
“The county’s contribution to the Nevada County Relief Fund has really helped us tremendously with our fundraising efforts in our community,” Co-chair Leo Granucci told the board. “What we’ve learned from the first three rounds, is that as we approach a potential donor and they find out that the county and community is working as one team on this project, that really encourages their donations.�