Dakota County Extends Coronavirus Relief For Small Businesses

Press release from the City of Inver Grove Heights:

October 21, 2020

Dakota County is extending its COVID-19 relief for businesses that have suffered financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic and expanding the eligibility to home-based businesses.

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has approved using $5 million of the county’s share of federal CARES Act funds to launch a second round of its Small Business Relief Grant program. Now, home-based businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 or state executive orders related to COVID-19 and meet other criteria can apply for a one-time grant of up to $10,000.

Businesses seeking a grant in this second round must apply between Oct. 26 and Nov. 6. All required documentation must be included at the time of application. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis.

The eligibility requirements are the same as the first round of the grant program with one change — the program is expanded to include home-based businesses. Eligibility criteria for home-based businesses include:

• 50 or fewer employees as of March 1, 2020
• A private for-profit home-based business or sole proprietorship with a physical permanent address in Dakota County
• Owned by a permanent resident of Minnesota
• Be in good standing with the State, Dakota County and city in which the business is located
• Profit generated from the home-based business must be the applicant’s primary source of income

Hobby-based businesses are not eligible for the grant program.

The first round of the Small Business Relief Grant program is providing more than $13 million to businesses that have suffered financially during the pandemic.

To learn more, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search business grant.

This press release was produced by the City of Inver Grove Heights. The views expressed are the author's own.