Local businesses eager to apply for City of Columbia rebate program

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced Tuesday it's now offering rebates to businesses affected by COVID-19.

In a press release, the city said it would be offering restaurants, bars, hotels and event venues the chance to be awarded $10,000 for business licenses fees, liquor license fees, or health inspection fees paid to the City of Columbia in 2020.

Mike Nolan, the venue director for Rose Music Hall and The Blue Note, says he's glad the city agreed to help local businesses with the shortcomings.

"Any little bit helps," Nolan said. "So if we can get something back for money that was spent or money that we lost in 2020, then that helps out."

Francisco Guillen, La Siesta owner, says he's grateful for the chance to get rebates from the city, but things are not yet back to normal.

"Anything helps, especially from the City of Columbia," Guillen said. "It shows they're trying, you know, and we'll gladly apply for that."

Despite the rebates, local businesses are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.

"We're still struggling with staffing," Guillen said. "Even though we're offering a bonus to come in, apply and stick with us for a little bit, not a lot of people are coming in to apply."

According to the state, over 16,000 people have cited COVID-19 as their reason for unemployment since the start of the pandemic.

We reached out to the City of Columbia for comment regarding the rebates, but it did not hear back.

You can find more details about restaurant rebates here. You can apply for the restaurant rebates here.

You can find more details about hotel rebates here. You can apply for the hotel rebates here.