Grant assistance available to small businesses affected by COVID-19
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission has announced that it will be administering a grant assistance program to small businesses in Central Massachusetts impacted by the closure and losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant program is funded by the Mass. Office of Attorney General Maura Healey, through the Small Business Relief Partnership Grant Program. CMRPC was awarded $45,000 to distribute funds to small businesses in Central Massachusetts.
CMRPC will award grants up to $2,000 to small businesses, for eligible business expenses related to COVID-19. Grants of less than $2,000 will be considered. Awards will be limited to one per business. Multiple businesses may apply in a single joint application; however, the total award will be limited to $5,000 per joint application. Businesses that apply as part of a joint application shall not be eligible to apply separately.
To be considered for the grant, businesses must meet the following criteria. Any for-profit business or non-profit organization with a physical place of business within one of the 40 communities within the CMRPC service area with 20 or fewer employees prior to Governor Baker’s state of emergency declaration.
All applicants will be required to demonstrate a direct or indirect financial hardship resulting from COVID-19. The grant is intended to provide emergency support to vulnerable businesses directly impacted by COVID-19. Priority will be given to owner-operated, minority and/or women-owned businesses, particularly those that are located in low-to-moderate-income census tracts.
The application period will run until Sept. 1, or until funds are depleted, whichever is sooner. For more information regarding eligibility requirements and to apply, please visit: https://www.cmrpcregionalservices.org/aggrant.
