BUFFALO (WBEN) - Many Erie County small businesses are set receive some much needed financial relief.
On Tuesday morning, County Executive Mark Poloncarz, along with the Erie County Business Task Force and numerous other local officials, announced the "Back to Business Grant Program," which appropriates $20 million in CARES Act funding to eligible businesses with 50 or fewer employees.
"This grant program will provide direct aid to small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting businesses that really need assistance and have yet to receive any or are prevented from opening," said Poloncarz. "The program will emphasize diversity and need in the distribution of funds, prioritizing those businesses that have yet to receive any funds, PPP funds, including those that are minority and women owned businesses, businesses in highly distressed zip codes, and those seeking to hire or bring back furloughed and laid-off employees, and businesses that have not been allowed, under New York State pause rules, to reopen at this point."
Eligible applicants to the program will receive:
-$10,000 for businesses with a sole proprietor
-$25,000 for businesses with 2-25 employees
-$45,000 for businesses with 26-50 employees
"Eligible" businesses include those that reside in Erie County, have 50 or fewer employees and generated less than $7.5 million in revenue in 2019, and "companies must be able to provide evidence of a significant loss of gross revenue, or a reduced level of production, sales, employment, or service due to COVID." The grants can be used for a variety of expenses, but they must be spent by December 30 of this year.
"Academic studies and and financial institutions have indicated that the effect of COVID-19 are going to be particularly harsh on Black businesses, Hispanic businesses and other minority businesses," said Mayor Byron Brown. "Some of the federal aid to help businesses during this difficult time did not get to Black businesses, Hispanic businesses and other minority businesses. Some of that aid went to some of the largest businesses in this country - it's a clear example of the systemic racism that exists and has to be addressed."
The press conference was held in front Miss Barbara's School of Dance, owned by Barbara Glover. "My business relies on people," said Glover. "With no one in the studio, there is no income, but the overhead continues. Receiving a back to Business Grant would be the relief I need to help me get through this uncertain time."
The deadline for businesses to apply is Monday, November 2, and applications will be accepted at BackToBizGrants.org.
