Norwood Awards 18 Businesses Funds Through Coronavirus Grant

NORWOOD, MA — Norwood awarded 18 businesses grants through the town's COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program.

"The COVID-19 pandemic brought many changes and unprecedented challenges to our local businesses and their operations," General Manager Tony Mazzucco said. "We are pleased to have been able to provide these grants for 18 Norwood businesses as they work through and begin to recover from the negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic."

In response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Norwood made available $75,000 to Norwood businesses negatively affected by the pandemic.

In total, the town awarded 18 local businesses with grants totaling $70,766. The grant recipients included restaurants, spas, hair salons, a business in the trades and a newspaper.

“Once again the Town of Norwood has shown that they stand by local businesses in times of crisis. These grants will help ensure that businesses keep their doors open, maintain staff and continue to provide products and services to residents of the community," Neponset River Regional Chamber President and CEO Tom O'Rourke said.

Businesses are able to use the funds to cover wages, rent, loss of inventory, and other fixed costs not already compensated by other federal COVID-19 financial assistance or relief programs.

Applicants were required to have a commercial presence in Norwood, have experienced a loss of revenue of at least 50 percent or more due to the pandemic, generated less than $1,500,000 in gross annual receipts in the most recent calendar year, be in good standing with the Town of Norwood and be a for-profit entity with 1-35 employees. Grant awardees were selected through a random selection lottery system with no preferences besides eligibility.