Roswell Launches Coronavirus Assistance For Residents, Businesses

ROSWELL, GA — In an effort to help residents and small business owners who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Roswell will soon launch its coronavirus relief assistance for residents and small businesses.

The program will help residents in need to pay living expenses like mortgage/rent, utilities, and childcare. It also supports local brick-and-mortar businesses struggling to stay afloat due to the pandemic.

The city has allocated $800,000 to this program—$400,000 is available to residents in need of assistance, and $400,000 is available to Roswell small businesses. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria. The grants do not need to be paid back to the city.

Residents and business owners will be able to apply during the open application periods for each program by visiting online. The site currently provides general information, but it will be updated with specific qualification criteria and instructions soon.

RESIDENTIAL RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Grants to Roswell residents may provide mortgage or rental assistance, utility assistance, and support for childcare expenses. Residents must demonstrate an economic hardship directly related to COVID-19 between March 1 and June 30.

Priority will be given to Roswell residents who are already behind on payments due to a hardship caused by COVID-19. A maximum dollar amount of $3,000 will be available per recipient.

More specifics about qualifications, the application process, and application dates will be shared with the public as soon as they are available.

SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The application period for the Small Business Relief Assistance Program will open on Monday, and continue through March 22.

Grants will be awarded to qualified brick-and-mortar small businesses (maximum of 99 employees; home-based businesses not eligible) that have suffered significant loss of revenue directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses must meet specific requirements to qualify.

Applications will be scored based on a first-received time stamp. The award amount will be up to $15,000 per qualified business based on a tiered approach: 1 employee—up to $5,000; 2 to 10 employees—up to $10,000; 11 to 99 employees—up to $15,000.

Applications will be reviewed starting on March 23, and awards will be provided starting on March 29.

The City of Roswell will share updates and reminders with the public in advance of and during the applications periods. For more information and to find out what documents interested businesses should prepare to submit when the application period opens on March 8, visit online.