SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Today, Mayor Paul TenHaken announced the establishment of the One Sioux Falls Fund to help local residents negatively impacted by COVID-19 in the Sioux Falls area.
The fund is set up in collaboration with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the Sioux Falls area, Mayor TenHaken is focused on the public health of the community as well as housing and food security of those unable to work at this time.
The goal of the fund is to help residents in the Sioux Falls MSA (Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook and Turner counties) avoid evictions and financial hardships if they are unable to work due to COVID-19 and if they are unable to qualify for federal or state assistance. Applicants will be required to demonstrate financial impact with appropriate documentation.
First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard provided the lead gift into fund. Contributions have also been pledged by First Bank and Trust, First Dakota National Bank, Sanford Health, Avera, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, Lloyd Companies, and Dacotah Bank. TenHaken will ask the Sioux Falls City Council to consider appropriating $250,000 of general fund dollars to the One Sioux Falls Fund. The Council will consider the request at a special City Council meeting on March 31, 2020.
“I have faith that South Dakota’s members of Congress will do what’s needed to help those in need in the wake of COVID-19,” said TenHaken. “Still, there will likely be gaps in the system and I don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks in Sioux Falls. It has been humbling to see business leaders come forward to contribute to this effort. Our community has a tremendous heart for giving, and we need the community banded together now more ever. I would ask for other businesses to answer the need at this time to cover assistance gaps that could occur, especially for those on limited income and unable to work right now.”
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) on Monday to help provide assistance to families and businesses. The Senate is expected to take action on the bill this week. Earlier in the month, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, activating Small Business Administration funds.
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development released information for business owners negatively impacted by COVID-19 per the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. Affected small businesses and nonprofits need to download, complete, and submit this SBA EIDL Worksheet and Instructions to expedite activation of the Economic Impact Loan Disaster program. Completed forms may be submitted by email to goedinfo@state.sd.us. Please note, this initial survey form is not a SBA loan application. When the EIDL program is activated, businesses will be contacted to apply directly to the SBA.
Sioux Falls resident Bill Earley has volunteered to coordinate fundraising and distribution efforts for the fund. Earley is the former CEO of Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties in California and former General Counsel of West Health.
Nationwide and locally in Sioux Falls, the hospitality and retail industries have been notably impacted by COVID-19. On Monday, TenHaken met with owners of restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and bars. The business leaders expressed concerns over lost business due to the coronavirus as well as concerns for their employees. “I want to encourage people to remember our small business owners. Dining in at establishments may not be an option at the moment, but take out, delivery and gift cards can help keep these local establishments afloat during this difficult time,” TenHaken said.
Guidelines and the process to apply for assistance from the One Sioux Falls Fund will be published in the coming days. Nonprofits, the County and the City will coordinate to distribute the funds similar to past crises such as flooding, tornados and the ice storm.
Those interested in donating can visit sfacf.org.
(The City of Sioux Falls contributed this report/news release.)
