Deadline Nearing For Dakota County Businesses To Apply For Grants

The deadline for Dakota County businesses affected by the pandemic to apply for grants is fast approaching.

The state has awarded Dakota County approximately $8.3 million in funding to support local businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19.

The county has partnered with the Dakota County Community Development Agency and contracted consulting firm Baker Tilly to review applications for, and award grant money.

Eligible businesses have until 5 p.m. on February 12 to apply. To be eligible, businesses must be physically located in Dakota County, have 75 or less full-time employees, have been impacted by a COVID-19 executive order, been in operation since at least November 2020 and be in good standing with the county. Applicants must not have current liens with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

The grants will be awarded based on the list of priorities.

• Priority 1 includes businesses and nonprofits that have received funding from the county through state funded grant programs in 2020 or 2021.
• Priority 2 includes businesses and nonprofits that received less than $15,000 in rounds 1 through 3 of the Small Business Relief Grant Program, Nonprofit Assistance Program, or COVID-19 state funded grant programs.
• Priority 3 will award additional funding to Priorities 1 and 2, but only if additional funding remains.

Those who have previously received grants must reapply for Priority 3.

Read more at Dakota County Community Development Agency.

Patch has reached out to the Community Development Agency for more information.