HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Local businesses can now apply for the Local Employers Assistance Program Supplemental Grant II, the Office of the Governor announced in a press release.
Information on the program, including an application checklist, can be found at investguam.com/leap2. The application form was posted on the website at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The Guam Economic Development Authority will continue accepting LEAP II applications through Feb. 8, the governor’s office said in the release.
LEAP II was established through Executive Order 2023-15, and is supported largely by local funds, in the amount of $15 million, through Public Law 37-15. Through E.O. 2023-15, the governor allocated another $5 million to the program from federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.
LEAP II provides a final round of direct financial assistance to local small businesses that experienced significant pandemic-related business interruption in 2022, according to the governor’s office.
“To date, our administration has allocated over $90 million in aid to local small businesses. While signs of economic recovery are positive, we remain committed to providing much-needed assistance to the small business community that serves as the backbone of our economy,” acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio said in Adelup’s release.
“LEAP II provides targeted assistance for our tourism-facing and other businesses that have suffered substantial levels of pandemic-caused business losses, and we encourage all eligible small businesses to apply for this aid program,” the acting governor added.
According to the governor’s office, although LEAP II is an offshoot of the initial LEAP program, all small businesses, regardless of whether they received an initial LEAP award, may apply.
“The program will provide grants to Guam small businesses that meet all eligibility criteria, chief among them a demonstration of at least 35% business interruption experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Adelup said in the release.
The Guam Economic Development Authority office is seen Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Tamuning.
