The Maui News
A Maui County Small Business Grant Program launched for qualifying restaurants, bars and gyms struggling in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Michael Victorino announced a partnership with Maui Federal Credit Unions on Friday and said that American Rescue Plan funding is being used to offer grants up to $5,000. This program is not a reimbursement for business expenses.
Applications will only be accepted online and will not be available at the credit unions. A form 1099 is required upon application.
Businesses do not need to be a credit union member to apply.
Grants are limited to one applicant per business and business owner.
To qualify, a business must provide proof of a 25 percent decline in gross revenue from 2019 to 2020, verified by the State of Hawaii; have a commercial location in Maui County and show proof of a current lease or rental agreement and been in business before Jan. 1, 2021; be registered and active with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and/or sole proprietors; and have $2 million or less in gross revenue in 2020, as verified by the State of Hawaii Tax Form G49 (General Excise/ Use Annual Return and Reconciliation).
Participating credit union officials include Gary Fukuroku, president and CEO of Maui County Federal Credit Union; Clayton Fuchigami, president and CEO of Maui FCU; Trevor Tokishi, president and CEO of Valley Isle Community FCU; Gary Muraoka, president of Kahului FCU; Kelly Tobita, CEO of Maui Teachers FCU; and Craig Kinoshita, president and CEO of Wailuku FCU.
“I encourage operators of qualifying restaurants, bars and gyms to take advantage of this opportunity to get a $5,000 grant to help them weather this pandemic,” Victorino said in a news release. “Mahalo to the six Maui Chartered Credit Unions for making this collaborative effort possible.”
Applications will be available online at https://www. mauinuistrong.info/maui-county-small-business-grant
For more information or for questions, call the Kokua Maui County Grant hotline at (808) 270-5745 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.