City expands COVID adaptation grant to assist qualified businesses

By Press release submission

Oct 26, 2021

City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Oct 25.

The City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Office is expanding eligibility for grants up to $10,000 to both businesses within the City’s neighborhoods of focus (NOF) and businesses within one of its six Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) boundaries. Approximately $165,000 in COVID Adaptation Program CARES Act funding remains to help businesses recoup funding expended to adapt to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic Development Director Jeremiah Gracia said that, since July, the City has provided grants totaling $100,000 to 12 qualified businesses located in the City’s NOF. And while businesses located in the NOF are still able to apply for funding, the City has now opened grant eligibility to assist additional businesses located in the six CIA boundaries. Those CIAs include: Michigan Street, North Quarter, South Division-Grandville, Southtown, Uptown, and West Side.

Grant applications for businesses located in CIA boundaries may be submitted at www.Grandrapidsmi.gov/AdaptationGrant. Fully completed grant applications will be evaluated in the order they are received until all funding has been allocated. With grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, the City encourages businesses owners to review the webpage and prepare ahead of time so they are ready when applications open. In order to apply, businesses need to register for an account, have a Data Universal Number System (D-U-N-S) number, and submit documentation of their eligible costs.

COVID Adaptation Program grant funding is available for business adaptations including technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment purchases (including personal protective equipment) that are necessary due to COVID-19 impacts on the operation of the business. Costs must have been incurred on or after March 1, 2020, and there is no matching requirement for the grant. Day to day business expenses such as rent, payroll and utilities are not eligible costs for this program. A full list of eligible uses of grant funds can be found HERE.

For those who have already captured a Small Business COVID Adaption Program Grant, the funding has been a boost to their businesses’ economic recovery.

To keep its employees and customers safe through the pandemic, Putt-Putts – a west side GR bar – looked for ways to add seats with proper social distancing. After much research, co-owner Pat Fischer and his brothers and sisters decided to add an outdoor pergola. After adding sides and heaters, Fischer said their little project became very expensive.

“We received a call from a friend informing us the City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department was offering grants,” Fischer said. “We applied immediately. So glad we did. We were informed yesterday that we had been approved for funds, which we needed badly. The folks in that department were so patient and considerate as we put together the proper forms needed to secure the funds. We at Putt Putts are really grateful to all the folks at the City. They came to our assistance when we really needed it. If you need help, these are great people to work with!”

To be eligible for a Small Business COVID Adaption Program Grant, businesses must meet all the following requirements:

Have between 1 and 25 employees (owner may be an employee)
Be a for-profit business. Nonprofits are not eligible.
Have a physical location (no internet only or home-based businesses)
Be located in the Neighborhoods of Focus – link to NOF map or within the boundaries of a CIA – link to CIA map
Have been in business since at least March 1, 2020
Comply with local, state and federal laws (e.g. marijuana-related businesses are prohibited)
Demonstrated loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Not owe past due taxes, fines, fees or other debts to the City
Retain at least one full-time equivalent low- or moderate-income job

The City previously provided grants up to $5,000 to small businesses for working capital (rent, utilities and payroll). Businesses that received those grants are eligible to apply to this program if they are in the Neighborhoods of Focus or within the six CIA geographic areas and meet all other eligibility requirements.

The $265,000 program is funded with Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Original source can be found here.