NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Matthew Johnson
Director, Planning & Community Development Department
218-725-5008
St. Louis County businesses encouraged to apply for Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grants
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is now accepting applications for the Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grant program and the St. Louis County Planning and Community Development Department is encouraging local businesses to apply and to be aware of of the approaching deadline - next Monday, September 29.
A total of $64,200,000 is available in grants. To be eligible, businesses must operate in Minnesota, be majority owned by a resident of Minnesota, and demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants that qualify and are selected will receive a grant amount between $10,000 and $25,000 based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTEs) employees on staff.
Businesses that are majority-owned by military veterans, women, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color individuals; employ 6 people or fewer; and/or did not receive previous assistance from other state relief programs will be prioritized in the selection process. Funding will be distributed in a 50/50 split between the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota.
Applications will be reviewed and awards will be disbursed and administered by qualified local and regionally based nonprofit organizations. Grant funds received by individual businesses can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar expenses that occur or have occurred since March 12, 2020, in the regular course of business.
Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found at DEED's Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program page. Questions should be emailed to MSCRG.DEED@state.mn.us.
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