ST. PAUL, MN – State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) announces that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has begun accepting applications for the new Main Street COVID Relief Grants program.
“Many of our small business owners were devastated when Governor Walz ordered them to close at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hamilton said. “Some never reopened, others continue to struggle. I encourage any Main Street business owner that qualifies to apply for this grant program.”
According to DEED, $64,200,000 is available in grants for Minnesotan-owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses that are majority-owned by military veterans, women, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color individuals; employ six 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 businesses located in the Twin Cities metro area and in Greater Minnesota.
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. To be eligible, businesses must operate in Minnesota and be majority owned by a resident of Minnesota. Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found at DEED’s Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program page, at mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/emergency-programs/main-street/
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.
The application portal close on September 29 at 11:59 p.m. Afterward, grant applications will be selected for consideration through a computer-generated, randomized selection process.