Small businesses across Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties hit by August storms can apply for grants of $2,500 to $10,000 through a new relief program backed by $100,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation.

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, based in Florence, announced the NKY Small Business Relief Grants on Sept. 2. The program covers businesses in all three counties that have 50 or fewer employees and are Duke Energy small business customers.

Applications are open through 5 p.m. on Sept. 16, at NKYChamber.com/talent.

The grants follow a series of storms, including a derecho, that knocked out power to about 30,000 residents across Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties during the week of Aug. 11. At the peak, more than 180,000 Duke Energy customers in Ohio and Kentucky lost power, according to Duke Energy.

Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, said the grants aim to help local owners get back on their feet. "… Helping them recover from unexpected extreme weather events like the recent flooding and derecho is essential to our region's long-term viability," Spiller said in a statement reported by the NKY Tribune.

Grant money can cover past expenses or future needs. Eligible uses include modifying a storefront's physical space, adding technology for online sales, expanding delivery capacity, purchasing outdoor furniture, constructing takeout windows and funding workforce tools such as recruiter fees or training tuition. Storefront beautification projects like new paint, awnings or signage also qualify.

The list is broad.

Nancy A. Spivey, vice president of talent strategies at NKY Chamber, said the program gives business owners "the targeted resources they need to recover and come back even stronger."

The Duke Energy Foundation separately committed $100,000 in emergency grants to nonprofits on Aug. 13, including $75,000 to Freestore Foodbank, $15,000 to the American Red Cross and $10,000 to Matthew 25: Ministries. The small-business grant pool is a distinct fund, according to the NKY Tribune report.

A review panel of NKY Chamber staff and board members will select recipients. Winners will be notified in mid-September. Business owners with questions can contact Spivey at 859-426-3654 or [email protected].