Fairfax Businesses Can Apply For New Round Of Coronavirus Grants

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City is inviting small businesses and nonprofit groups to apply for a second series of coronavirus grants starting Monday, Oct. 5. The applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and $5,000 grant awards will be made until grant funds have been depleted.

The funds, called ReConnected Grants, are being distributed by Fairfax City’s Economic Development Authority. The ReConnected Grant Series 1 awarded over 150 grants to Fairfax City small businesses.

Reimbursement request processing for the series 2 grants is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2021. Contracts must be finalized by Dec. 1.

The Fairfax City Economic Development Authority is offering the Fairfax City ReConnected Grants in collaboration with the Fairfax City Economic Development Office to provide financial support to small businesses impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Grant funds will reimburse businesses for their costs incurred by responding to and adapting their services during the crisis. Grant funds can be used to cover eligible expenses incurred beginning on March 12. 2020.

The ReConnected Grant Series 2 program, which will provide $700,000 of CARES Act funding to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations, was approved by the City of Fairfax City Council at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Applications will be accepted beginning Oct.5. Eligibility requirements and resources will be available on the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority website.

After entering into a grant agreement with the city, businesses will be eligible to submit reimbursement requests for items and activities such as:

• Reconfiguring space to comply with social distancing guidelines.
• Creating new/ innovative marketing campaigns.
• Purchasing new protective equipment and cleaning supplies.
• Hiring specialized sanitization services.
• Supporting a portion of employee salaries.
• Reimbursing businesses for eligible expenses occurred during the initial shutdown.

These expenditures are ineligible for ReConnected Grant funding:

• Damages covered by insurance.
• Reimbursement to donors for donated items or services.
• Severance pay.
• Workforce bonuses.
• Legal settlements.
• Rent and utilities other than telecommunications.
• Construction, other than minor modifications necessary to meet public health safety recommendations.