September 23, 2020 – The Nevada County Board of Supervisors (BOS) awarded $1.5 million of CARES Act funding to seven anchor institutions in Nevada County. The BOS also awarded a $1 million grant to Race Communications, as part of the “Community Broadband Accessibility” Program. The funding will be used to connect 500 homes in the Peardale area to gigabit fiber before the end of the year.

The “Economic & Community Resiliency Grants” program was designed to provide critical economic support to eligible entities that have been directly impacted by COVID-19, have a major economic and social impact on the community, and are critical to maintaining the County’s economic and cultural infrastructure. Sometimes referred to as “anchor institutions,” these entities are characterized as playing a vital and enduring role in the local community, according to the staff report. Nevada County appointed a 7-person evaluation panel to review and score applications received.

The grants were awarded to:

  • Town of Truckee, Local Jurisdiction, $400,000 to fund an outdoor “Winter Wonderland” space to support downtown Truckee businesses
  • Center for the Arts, Nonprofit, $400,000 to fund operating expenses necessary to sustain the venue until it can safely produce live events for community audiences in 2021, and produce new broadcast events, education and outreach programs
  • Miners Foundry, Nonprofit, $290,000 to fund operating expenses necessary to sustain the venue until it can safely produce live cultural and community events, and develop new revenue streams from its new café and patio bar with live outdoor events
  • Sierra Theaters, Business, $150,000 to fund basic operating expenses (essential staff, leases, and HVAC improvements) needed to retain the Del Oro Theatre and reopen safely
  • Sierra Community House, Nonprofit, $100,000 to fund staffing, technology, and rental support for vital safety-net services (food and housing) to vulnerable populations
  • The Food Bank of Nevada County, Nonprofit, $100,000 to fund unanticipated operating costs due to the increased demand for food including staffing, food storage rentals, and supplies
  • South Yuba River Citizens League, Nonprofit, $60,000 to offset the costs of business interruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency and to fund the installation of two vault toilets at Purdon Crossing to address sanitation concerns on the South Yuba River due to increased visitation resulting from limited recreational opportunities caused by COVID-19

Supervisors unanimously approved the macro grants and the broadband grant at their in-person meeting.