KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After months of hardships, Raytown small business owners received a little hope.
On Friday, the City of Raytown awarded 28 small businesses with grant funds through the Raytown CARES Act Small Business Grant.
Serenity Cafe opened not long before the pandemic hit. The owner, Rebecca Tolbert told 41 Action News that its been hard to stay afloat.
“This grant will help us for a couple of months but then if things don’t pick up or we don’t get any help from congress at all, we’ll be right back in the same situation," Tolbert said.
The cafe's grand opening was on Dec. 20, 2019.
After local restrictions shut businesses down, reopening and regaining customers has remained a struggle.
Extreme Grand Prix Indoor Family Fun Center typically sees big business around the holiday season.
General Manager, Matt Tholen said that hasn't been the case this year.
“Normally in late November, December and early January, we are extremely busy with holiday parties, Tholen said. "Companies from all over the Kansas City metro area come out, hang out with us, enjoy and just have a great time."
Raytown business owners say the lack of business makes it hard to employ staff and keep the doors open, which then impacts residents of the city.
“52% of the applicants have employees who live within the city limits of Raytown and that there speaks volumes," Raytown City Administrator Damon Hodges said. "If those business aren’t thriving, that hurts our residents in a huge way."
The CARES Act Small Business Grant works to assist small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.
The city of Raytown received $226,000 in funding and 28 of 56 applicants received checks.
“The amounts we’re given is from $1,300 up to $10,000," Hodges said.
Business owners say it will help them remain open for now, but insist federal help is needed in the long run.
“We are hoping that the government will step up a little bit and help us out a little bit more in order to help make ends meet and be able to keep our employees staffed and keep our doors open," Tholen said.
