An economic development program, designed to assist Clearwater businesses through COVID-19, will end Dec. 31.

The Village of Clearwater LB840 Emergency Commercial Grant Program was established this summer and offered grants of $750 to businesses affected by the pandemic.

Businesses with a net income of less than $75,000, per 2019 income taxes, are eligible to apply.

Grant applications are scored on four categories: closed/reduced service due to directed health measures; length of time in business; profit/loss due to COVID-19 pandemic and long-term planning with financial institution.

During the Village of Clearwater Board of Trustees meeting, Dec. 14, Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen said $6,250 remains in the account.

"I've had some people say they don't want to turn in their tax returns," noting some individuals have reservations about sharing the information.

Sheridan-Simonsen said business owners who have not applied, but are interested, may contact her for additional information.

She suggested rolling the funds into a digital facade grant to help people sell online.

The ED director provided examples of how businesses would benefit from the program, including the possibility of building an online app for ordering, increasing website capabilities, and social media marketing "to reach outside sales."

Board member Steve Stearns asked what would happen to the funds if it isn't rolled into a new program.

"It would stay in the LB840 account," she told board members. "I'm trying to get some options out there to help businesses here sell outside of town or bring people in, increase their sales basically."

Trustee Kevin Filsinger noted a lot of business owners utilize online sales.

"I don't know why we wouldn't do it," he said.

Stearns asked Sheridan-Simonsen if she had contacted businesses about the grant program.

Several businesses told her they would consider applying for the facade program, but not the emergency grant.

"I've had some apply for the emergency grant that would also be interested in applying for this. It's a different program. Would you allow the same business to apply again? Those parameters need to be figured out," she said.

'Trustee Jay Snider suggested closing the emergency grant application period.

"They've had three months to do it," he said.

Sheridan-Simonsen said one more business intends to submit an emergency grant application. She offered a Feb. 1 deadline.

Paul Horman said, "The longer we put it off, the longer they will wait to get something done."

"That's why I'm in favor of a deadline," she said.

Horman said a Dec. 31 application period would be sufficient.

"Let's see what kind of interest we have," Stearns said.

In other economic development news, Sheridan-Simonsen said she has started work on the village's strategic plan.

"The big thing in this is providing an edge if we apply for future grants," she said.

She, along with village clerk Angie Hupp and a representative from Miller & Associates will take part in a call with Nebraska Economic Development officials to review Clearwater's past application, primarily for the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to evaluate the scoring process.

Sheridan-Simonsen said Antelope County received $2.71 million from the Get Nebraska Growing Cornoa Relief Fund, established by NDED.

"Clearwater received more than $600,000 in grants," she said.

Small businesses, child care and livestock facilities received funds.

"They are still doing those grants," she said. "Applications are available on the Get Nebraska coronavirus website."

In other business, trustees:

• Discussed installation of security cameras on Main Street. The talks were prompted by recent vandalism in park buildings.

• Reviewed options to combat ongoing nuisance violators. Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore will discuss concerns with village attorney Joe McNally.

• Agreed to send letters to homeowners who need to trim trees overhanging onto roads.

• Agreed to allow a temporary trailer on a vacant lot at 706 Dibble Street for sheetrock installers working on the new Summerland school building.

• Accepted the resignation of Sherry Snodgrass as cleaning person and

• Discussed the possibility of a new water main, running from Mitchell's Avenue to 515 Avenue. Bids will be accepted for the project.