COVID-19 BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM
In May 2020, the Wyoming Legislature created three programs to distribute $325 million in federal CARES Act funding to Wyoming businesses and nonprofits that experienced hardship related to the COVID-19 crisis. The Wyoming Business Council is distributing these dollars through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program, which consists of five funds: the Interruption, Relief, Mitigation, Agriculture, and Endurance funds, all of which are now closed.
COVID-19 BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM RECAP
INTERRUPTION FUND
June 8 - July 2, 2020
3,978 applicants paid
$98.5 million paid
RELIEF FUND
Aug. 4 - Sept. 15, 2020
2,416 applicants paid
$177.6 million paid
MITIGATION FUND
Aug. 4 - Sept. 15, 2020
687 applicants paid
$25.6 million paid
AGRICULTURE FUND
Nov. 2 - Nov. 18, 2020
514 applicants paid
$35.1 million paid
ENDURANCE FUND
Nov. 2 - Nov. 18, 2020
981 applicants paid
$83 million paid
BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM TAX INFORMATION
As businesses close out their previous year and prepare to file tax documents, the Wyoming Business Council wants to remind all CARES Act funding recipients that any money received through the COVID-19 Business Relief Program is considered taxable income and should be included in tax filings. The State Auditor's Office has issued all applicable 2020 1099 forms and CARES grant recipients should have received a 1099-G for their awards. If you have any questions, please contact the State Auditor's Office at saowolfshelpdesk@wyo.gov.
Please Note: The State Auditor's Office and the Wyoming Business Council cannot provide any tax-related advice. Business Relief Program recipients with questions related to filing, claims, etc., should contact a tax professional.
THRIVE > SURVIVE CAMPAIGN
As 2020 comes to a close, the Wyoming Business Council has launched a new campaign, Thrive > Survive, featuring Wyoming stories where innovation, lots of elbow grease and working together have helped communities and businesses weather the pandemic, sometimes even growing stronger.
BRP AUDIT PROCESS
With guidance and oversight from the independent auditing firm, McGee Hearne & Paiz, LLP (MHP), a sampling of COVID-19 Business Relief Program recipients is being audited. Entities chosen for the audit pool have been notified by email with instructions on their next steps. MHP and its contracted partners are conducting the audits at the business level and will share results soon.
RELIEF FUND FUTURE EXTRAORDINARY EXPENDITURES PLAN
IMPORTANT EXPENDITURE PLAN INFORMATION: If you included future extraordinary expenditures in your Relief Fund application, you must report on how those funds were spent by Dec. 15, 2020. Applicants not reporting on their expenditures will be required to repay their expenditure plan amounts.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR CONSULTANTS
Reach out to a regional director with specific questions and for more information.
AMY QUICK
Northwest Regional Director (Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties)
307.421.0140
HEATHER TUPPER
Southeast Regional Director (Albany, Carbon, Goshen and Laramie counties)
307.777.2804
ELAINA ZEMPEL
Western Regional Director (Lincoln, Sublette, Uinta and Teton counties)
307.877.2203
BRANDI HARLOW
Northeast Regional Director (Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties)
307.689.1320
KIM RIGHTMER
East Central Regional Director (Converse, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties)
307.577.6012
MARCIO PAES-BARRETO
South Central Regional Director (Fremont and Sweetwater counties).
307.630.4679
PARTNERS
Special thanks to these partner agencies who provide valuable assistance and support to Wyoming businesses in the good times and the tough times.
