December 26, 2020

The City of Raytown has awarded 28 local small businesses and non-profit organizations grants totaling $226,000 through the Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant Program. The grant program offered assistance to Raytown small businesses and non-profit organizations that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, and provides reimbursement for eligible expenses to help maintain operations and services in Raytown.

On August 18, 2020, the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved Ordinance NO. 5647-20, authorizing the request of available CARES funds from Jackson County for COVID-related expenses and the creation of multiple programs to assist the Raytown community. The Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant program was one such program created with the intention to aid Raytown businesses, non-profit organizations, and their employees by offering them a way to persevere through the pandemic.

On December 15, 2020, the City of Raytown’s Board of Aldermen approved approximately $226,000 of Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant funds to be awarded to 28 Raytown small businesses and non-profit organizations. The grant funds reimbursed eligible expenses, ranging from $1,367.38 up to $10,000 for brick-and-mortar businesses, non-profit organizations, and home-based businesses. The City received 56 applications submitted from diverse groups of business industries of varying sizes and years of operation. Over 31 percent of the entities requesting grant funds have been part of the Raytown community for 20 year or more.

“Raytown’s small businesses are experiencing one of the greatest challenges in our history,” said Raytown City Administrator Damon Hodges. Small businesses are the heart of our community and, equally, are an important piece of our economy. Our city depends on our small businesses not only for the services and amenities they provide, but also for local jobs for Raytown residents. Fifty-two percent of the grant applications submitted came from business owners who are also Raytown residents. With funding restrictions and limited time, our Board of Alderman and City staff utilized our resources to create a process allowing the use of CARES funds to assist our Raytown businesses during these uncertain times. I encourage all businesses to hire and buy local to continue to stimulate the Raytown economy.”

Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant Awardees: Lutfi’s Fried Fish Raytown; Las Chili’s; Mid America Laminating and Binding Solutions; Raytown Skelly, LLC; Heartland Improvements, LLC; Raytown Seed & Feed Inc; Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism; D’Luxe Silhouettes LLC; Players Paradise LLC; Head Ta Toe Beauty Salon; Premier Bowling & Recreation; Extreme Grand Prix Family Fun Center; Serenity Café, LLC; Pastry Plus; Color You Bad, LLC; Relax, Paint & Sip; Crane Brewing Company LLC; Martin Underground Construction, Inc.; Debt Co LLC; Affinity American Home Care & Personal Services, LLC; Boan Heating and Cooling; Smith Signs Inc; School District of Raytown Ed Foundation, Inc; Guardian Angel Home HealthCare, Inc; Summit Health Care, LLC; Kiddo’s Place Daycare and Preschool Inc; Shepherd’s Center of Raytown; One Time Electrical Construction LLC

The City of Raytown also created the Raytown CARES Act Individual Assistance program to provide Raytown residents with utility, rental, and mortgage assistance relief. To date, the Individual Assistance program has helped more than 280 Raytown households.

For information about the Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant and Individual Assistance Programs, visit the program website at www.RaytownCARES.com or contact Missy Wilson, assistant city administrator at 816-737-6091.