Launch of Main St. Grant Program

Please read the following letter from Steve Grove the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

Dear Business leaders,

Starting yesterday, September 20th we began accepting applications for our new Main Street COVID Relief Grants program. I’m asking for your help to spread the word that this program has launched. More information including translated videos and one pagers are below.

In total, $64,200,000 is available in grants for Minnesotan-owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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. Funding will be distributed in a 50/50 split between businesses located in the Twin Cities metro area and in Greater Minnesota.

We are holding several outreach sessions, which businesses can join or watch recordings of, including:

Applicants that qualify and are selected will receive a grant amount between $10,000 and $25,000 based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTEs) employees on staff. To be eligible, businesses must operate in Minnesota and be majority owned by a resident of Minnesota. Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found at DEED’s Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program page.

We will also be keeping our Frequently Asked Questions updated as we get inquires. Additionally, you will be able to find translated program information on our website in HmongSomaliSpanish, and Vietnamese. You can also watch our How To Apply For The Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grant video in HmongSomali and Spanish. Previously recorded information sessions are on YouTube.

Applications will be reviewed and awards will be disbursed and administered by qualified local and regionally based nonprofit organizations. Grant funds received by individual businesses can 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 opened yesterday, September 20, 2021 and will close on September 29 at 11:59 p.m. Afterward, grant applications will be selected for consideration through a computer-generated, randomized selection process.  If you have questions related to the program, you can email [email protected].

Yours,

Steve

Steve Grove |Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development