For many small business owners, the past 18 months have been incredibly challenging. Small business owners have been juggling a lot — from ensuring the safety of customers and employees to adjusting business models to comply with social distancing measures.
It’s no doubt that these 18 months have been incredibly disruptive for many small businesses. BizLaunch is here to help with the Small Business GRANT 2.0 program.
The Small Business GRANT 2.0 will provide direct financial assistance to small businesses struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a total of $2 million in immediate funds to businesses and nonprofits. The program focuses on industries most affected by the governor’s stay-at-home orders and those that have not previously received state or federal funding.
The GRANT 2.0 program will begin accepting online applications from eligible businesses on Oct. 6, 2021. Applications close on Oct. 20, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Eligible businesses include:
- Businesses or nonprofits in the following industry sectors:
- Arts and entertainment
- Child care
- Hotel and accommodations
- Personal services
- Restaurants and food service (including food trucks)
- Retail
- Businesses whose primary location is in Arlington County
- Businesses that operate from a physical brick-and-mortar building in a commercially zoned area
- Businesses with a current 2021 Arlington business license and that are current on their tax obligations
- Businesses whose staff is fully vaccinated or follow COVID-19 testing protocols will receive special consideration.
After the application period closes, 200 eligible businesses will be randomly selected and awarded a $10,000 grant. The grant can be used for salary and benefits and other business capital and operating expenses related to the impacts of COVID-19.
More information about the program can be found at www.arlingtongrant.com, and you can sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the program opens.
Regardless of GRANT 2.0 eligibility, Arlington businesses can access BizLaunch resources, including ReLaunch, consultations and our Marketing Toolkit. For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org.