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The Hampton Roads Workforce Council has received “Rapid Response” funding from the Office of the Governor to assist employers struggling to remain open during the COVID-19 emergency. Funds are reserved for small businesses, defined as 250 employees or less, and may be used to support layoff aversion tactics and activities designed to prevent or minimize the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs.

This can include sanitizing facilities, purchasing new technology to assure worker distancing and supporting emergency needs. However, businesses may not use the funds for payroll or benefit support, among other specific restrictions.

Priority will be given to businesses that are delivering essential goods or services to the community and ones still open for business even with reduced hours and/or alternative work arrangements.

The deadline to apply for funding is Friday, April 3. For more information on available funding and the application process, business owners are asked to contact Jackie Rondeau at 629-4695 or jrondeau@vcwhamptonroads.org.