New $2 million program will bolster relief for small businesses in Charlotte
The city of Charlotte is continuing to roll out economic relief efforts for the business community.
The city will begin accepting proposals at noon Monday for Small Business Partner Support Grants, which will provide $2 million to help programs, projects or services with COVID-19 relief, according to a press release. The maximum grant will be $250,000 and must be used by Dec. 30.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. June 11. Grants will be awarded at the end of the month.
To be eligible, applicants must be a government, nonprofit, academic or chamber 501(c)6 organization located or headquartered in Charlotte for at least two years.
Applicants must also include a description of how their work alleviates the impact of COVID-19 on the local small business community, an itemized budget and specific timeline, and detailed measures and outcomes, such as the number served.
A mission statement, agency designation documents, board member information, annual audit and federal tax returns for the previous two years also must be included.
Applications are available online at Charlotte Business Resources.
Business initiatives
The grant, approved this week by City Council, is part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
The Community Recovery Task Force has designated $50 million of the federal aid for small businesses that will be disbursed in two rounds. The first round was approved Monday night by City Council for $35 million, city spokesman Cory Burkarth said in an email. The second round will be decided in the upcoming weeks for the remaining $15 million.
Along with the small business grants, the Small Business Recovery Task Force Group also has directed $250,000 for Open for Business online interactive map and directory of small businesses and $1 million Micro Business Relief Fund providing up to $10,000 to 100 businesses with five or less workers, which is part of $30 million supporting small businesses.
Other initiatives are $1.5 million for intensive career cohorts, to provide training help; $750,000 for workforce support and $500,000 for the small business accelerator program.
The small business recovery task force meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays.
Observer reporter Alison Kuznitz contributed to this report.
Correction: The headline in a previous version of this story incorrectly stated that small businesses were eligible for the grant.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 4:41 PM with the headline "New $2 million program will bolster relief for small businesses in Charlotte."