MADISON, Wis. — Dane County and Dane Buy Local are partnering for a new round of aid for local businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to $4 million in funding for the county’s Small Business Pandemic Support Grant Program, struggling businesses can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help them survive during ongoing economic hardships.
“Local businesses are pivotal to the overall health of our economy and play a key role in our community’s identity and culture,” Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said. “So many of our local businesses are struggling to hang on as we wait for more assistance from the federal government. This $4 million in new funding will help more of our local businesses stay afloat in the months to come.”
Businesses that have been especially hard hit during the pandemic, including restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and independent contractors, among others, will be prioritized in the grant process.
“With winter now upon us as the pandemic marches forward, local businesses find themselves in an even more precarious position in trying to remain open,” said Colin Murray, Executive Director of Dane Buy Local. “Dane Buy Local is honored to again work with Dane County to administer this second round of grants. After the initial round, numerous business owners expressed gratefulness and said that without it they may not have survived.”
Grants will be based on a business’ requests and needs for the next three months of expenses. Only businesses that are independently owned and based in Dane County are eligible for funding.
The county’s small business grant program was initially announced in April with $250,000 in funding. The program’s funding was later increased to $800,000. In May, Dane County leaders announced the program would receive an additional $10 million in funding thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Since the program’s start, roughly 2,700 local businesses have been awarded grants.
Businesses interested in applying for a grant should visit www.danebuylocal.com.
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