State will pay utility bills for small businesses and nonprofits

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will pay some utility bills for small businesses and nonprofits.

The agency announced a grant program Friday morning, which will supply businesses and organizations with up to $7,500 for unpaid bills. Applicants must have a physical, non-residential office in Iowa with no more than 50 employees.

Applicants also must show they lost revenue after March 17 because of COVID-19. They must also still be operating and have unpaid electric or natural gas bills.

"It's primarily your consumer-facing, retail businesses," Durham said during the Authority's board meeting Friday. "We will then be making payments directly to the utility provider."

The state has $14.5 million for the program, which comes from federal dollars provided to the state through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that Congress passed in late March. 

Applicants can apply at iowabusinessrecovery.com.

Tyler Jett covers jobs and the economy for the Register. Contact him at 515-284-8215 and tjett@registermedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.

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