Applications open Aug. 4-18 for Small Business Relief Fund grants

Ramsey County continues to provide emergency assistance to small local businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Aug. 4, a second round of applications will be accepted for the Small Business Relief Fund, providing grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. The application deadline is Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.

For the second round, grants will be awarded to help sole proprietors and those contributing to the local creative economy pay for critical expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities and costs associated with reopening. Small businesses with 20 or fewer employees who missed the first round are encouraged to apply.

In total, nearly $15 million will be awarded in 2020 through multiple grant periods to qualifying small businesses in Ramsey County. A minimum of $1.5 million will be reserved for qualifying individuals contributing to the local creative economy.

Apply for the Small Business Relief Fund

The Small Business Relief Fund is a part of the Ramsey County Investment and Support Efforts (RISE) program, which will invest $56 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in the community by the end of 2020. The Relief Fund is being administered by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers’ Open to Business program.