Fergus Falls Journal
Saturday September 18, 2021
MinnPost photo by Corey Anderson
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will begin accepting applications for the Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program on Sept. 20.
The program will award grants in the amounts of $10,000-$25,000 to Minnesotan owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant amounts will be determined based on the number of full time equivalent employees (FTEs). Businesses that are majority-owned by military veterans, women and Black, Indigenous and people of color individuals, employ six people or fewer and/or did not receive previous assistance from other state relief programs will be prioritized in the selection process.
Grant funds received by individual businesses shall be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills and other similar expenses that occur or have occurred since March 12, 2020, in the regular course of business.
The application portal will open Sept. 20, 2021, and will accept applications for 10 days after opening. Applications will close on Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. Afterward, grant applications will be selected for consideration through a computer-generated, randomized selection process.
Businesses can find translated program information, including “How To Apply” videos, in Hmong, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese on DEED’s website: http://www.mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/emergency-programs/main-street/.
Otter Tail County’s Community Development Director can assist businesses with questions at [email protected] or 218-998-8050.