The Economic Development Authority of Amherst County (EDA) announced Tuesday the launch of its $500,000 Back in Business grant program, offering small businesses up to $15,000 in funding.

The EDA received the funding Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for small business recovery assistance. Small businesses can also apply for the CARES Act Small Business Grant if they are not seeking funding from any other local, state or federal assistance program for the same time period they are requesting funding.

“Small locally owned businesses are critically important to our community and our local economy,” EDA Chairman Chad Eby said in a statement. “This grant supports small businesses that in many cases have been left behind by other programs.”

The Back in Business Grant is intended for locally owned Amherst County small businesses with one to 20 employees that have suffered economically during COVID-19. Each business may receive up to $10,000 for utility and rent or mortgage relief for three to six months and up to $5,000 per business for equipment including touchless payment systems, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, sneeze and cough guards and signage.

Eligible businesses must be locally or regionally owned, have 20 or fewer employees, be able to demonstrate at least a 10% revenue loss from COVID-19, be up to date on local taxes, have a current Amherst Town or County business license and have been operational since March 1, 2019. Businesses must also be for-profit with more than $30,000 in gross receipts in 2019. 

Applications opened on Monday and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. As part of the grant program, business owners and managers are encouraged to meet with a local consultant for an individual businesses assessment or training. These consultations will be at no cost to the business.

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