Applications For Dakota County Small Business Relief Open Monday

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Starting Monday, Dakota County's Small Business Relief Grant Program will begin accepting applications for grants of up to $10,000.

On its website, the county said grants will be accepted through August 14. Applications are to be completed online through the county's website.

According to the county, each business should complete only one application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Funding for the program comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. All told, the county has been allocated $10 million to doll out among small businesses that have had hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Received grant funding can be used for payroll, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills or other operational expenses incurred after March 1.

Applications will be processed and reviewed by the Dakota County Community Development Agency and NextStage.

To qualify, a business must be a private for-profit business with a permanent physical location within the county. It must also:

• Have 50 or fewer full-time employees
• Be permanently owned by a Minnesota resident
• Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State and Department of Revenue
• Be in good standing with Dakota County and the city where it is located
• Be able to show proof of financial hardship resulting from the pandemic.

Inquiries about the program can be directed by email to smallbusiness@dakotacda.state.mn.us or by phone to 651-675-4400.

Answers to common questions can also be found on the county's website.