Layoff Aversion Grants Available for Wyoming Businesses

Wyoming businesses can now apply for grant funding through the state to avoid or shorten layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Mark Gordon announced that the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and the Wyoming Workforce Development Council (WWDC) are offering $300,000 in grants to support businesses in Wyoming.

In a release, Governor Gordon said, “I am working tirelessly to find and deploy tools to strengthen Wyoming businesses during these challenging times. Wyoming’s Layoff Aversion grants provide some relief to businesses while keeping employees working.”

DWS and its 20 Workforce Centers will assist businesses with grant applications to support these important layoff aversion strategies for Wyoming’s economy. The application and more information about options available to businesses can be found below.

The grants will be available to all eligible Wyoming businesses in good standing with Unemployment Insurance and Worker’s Compensation.

Businesses can apply for up to $5,000 to support layoff aversion strategies that can keep their businesses open and employees working or shorten the duration of a layoff.

Layoff Aversion grant funding may be used for:

· Costs associated with frequent deep cleaning/sanitization services to help prevent potential exposure to COVID-19 when companies have to remain open.

· Purchase of software or computer applications so employees can work from home/remotely in order to support social distancing and limit potential exposure and spread of COVID-19.

· Funding to purchase necessary equipment needed to make social distancing possible.

· Related costs to add additional shifts so companies can continue to operate.

· Purchase of laptops and related expenses so employees can telework.

Funding is intended to support Wyoming’s economy and vitality during the COVID-19 crisis. Funding will be paid out by DWS, as the fiscal agent.

Grant funding should be reasonable and necessary for implementing layoff aversion strategies to assist Wyoming businesses.

Grant application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMovHClNR33-n8hrNpHDKKLwCzlwfRynx3gAGIbpIeoXB3GA/closedform

More information here:

http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/businesses/covid19-layoff-aversion/