Showing its continued commitment to the Golden Belt during this COVID-19 pandemic that continues to wreak havoc on the local business community, the Great Bend Tribune launched this weekend a Matching Ad Grant Program, Publisher Mary Hoisington said.

“The Tribune has been able to establish a fund to help local businesses get back to full strength,” she said. This is being done by subsidizing their marketing through matching grants. 

“As a small, family owned business, we understand the struggles other businesses are going through and have stepped forward to support our community,” Hoisington said. Area businesses can now apply for a grant to help them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

“A community newspaper is only ever as strong as the community it serves,” she said. “We are stronger together and as a community, we will get through this together.”

The fund is open to all locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus, whether or not they are current advertisers. Grant money can be used for Tribune advertising between April 19 and June 30. 

Grants are available for a minimum of $200 up to a maximum of $5,000 of matching funds monthly. This is good on all retail display, classified display or digital advertising at gbtribune.com. 

To apply online for a dollar-for-dollar matching advertising grant go to www.gbtribune.com/contact-us/grant/, or applications may be emailed to mhoisington@gbtribune.com. Applications will be processed as quickly as possible.

The application deadline is April 30.

For more information, contact Tribune Advertising at 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, or 620-792-1211.