EDINBURG – The Hidalgo County Cares Small Business Grant Program has amended the requirements and criteria to apply for assistance. The program was created to financially assist rural county businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new amendments will allow more flexibility on the qualifying criteria,” said Hidalgo County Economic Development Director Laura Matamoros. Through the CARES Act, Hidalgo County has increased the funds for the grants from $5,000 and $3,000 to $5,000 and $10,000. This will provide over 700 small business grants to qualifying businesses. Businesses that have received the Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan or other federal/state/ local assistance are now ...