KIHEI — Mayor Michael Victorino recently announced the launch of the Maui County Adaptability Fund to help local small businesses recover and survive the impacts from COVID-19.

The county has allocated $5 million to the fund. Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is administering the Adaptability Fund, a program funded by the CARES Act and proposed by Victorino’s MauiCARES Task Force.

“The purpose of the Adaptability Fund is to provide grants to help Maui County’s small businesses comply with health and safety guidelines, as well as adapt to the ‘new normal’ amid COVID-19,” said Mayor Victorino. “The fund also gives business owners the flexibility to customize their investments and retool or restructure based on their needs.”

Applications must be received by Friday, Nov. 6. Grants would assist businesses with modifying operations and investing in technology infrastructure to expand their virtual platforms, web-based marketing and E-commerce.

Grants are expected to range from approximately $5,000 to $25,000. However, some grants may fall below or above this range depending upon the strength of applicants’ proposals.

According to Leslie Wilkins, MEDB president and CEO, “Over 100 businesses of Maui County have already applied, and members of the independent Adaptability Fund Committee are working long hours to review the applications. MEDB held a webinar to help small business owners to understand the application process and eligibility, and get their questions answered. Replays, tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the website mauicountadapabilityfund.org.”

In association with the Adaptability Fund, MEDB has also created an online resource directory to help Maui County’s small businesses find special services and products during COVID-19.

The directory, Ho’oulu Maui Nui, is a one-stop, online resource for small businesses looking for local service providers and businesses wanting to reach potential customers by publicizing their services and products.

Victorino said, “Reinvesting in our local economy and vendors ensures we’re getting the most out of our CARES Act funds while still getting quality work and products.”

Some of the types of business listed in this directory are Business Leasing; Business Finance Consultant; Cleaning Restoration; Commercial Printer; Design, Remodeling, and Construction; Employee Recruiter; Export Consultant; Food Scientist and Technologist; HVAC Filtration Expert; IT Consultant; Marketing, PR, and Social Media Consultant; PPE Provider; Photographer; Videographer; and other services.

A link to this directory can be found at the Adaptability Fund website.

For more information on the fund, visit www.MauiCountyAdaptabilityFund.org, call 875-2300 or e-mail AdaptabilityFund@medb.org.