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BY FRED PETKE

Sun Reporter

Winchester small businesses have until 4 p.m. today (Friday) to submit their applications for up to $1,000 in aid from the city.

Winchester City Manager Mike Flynn said the city had received 24 applications by the end of business Tuesday, and was expecting more before the final deadline.

“The target I had was about 30,” Flynn said Wednesday. “With the days we have left, We’ll see a few more trickle in.”

In January, the Winchester Board of Commissioners approved a small business aid program for businesses that were affected by COVID-19 shutdowns during 2020. Eligible businesses must have a physical location within the city limits and were functioning before March 1, 2020. Franchise or franchise-affiliated business are not eligible, nor are home-based businesses.

Full-time businesses can receive $1,000, while part-time businesses can receive $400, he said. The amounts are fixed to simplify the process, he said.

Flynn said he expects checks will be issued by the end of February. City employees will begin reviewing the applications within the next two weeks, including whether the applications are complete and the applicant is an eligible business, he said.