Small Business Pandemic Relaunch Grant Program
The Pandemic Relaunch Grant program provides independently owned, ground floor small businesses in Downtown Bridgeport with $2,500 and technical assistance to implement a reopening plan.
The grant will be paired with pro bono technical assistance with the aim for the participant business owner to make informed decisions about how to grow and thrive in Downtown Bridgeport. The deliverable of the technical assistance will be a relaunch plan that addresses these topic areas:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Pandemic Relaunch Grant program is aimed at small businesses that have had difficulty obtaining funding from federal or state initiatives, with a particular focus on aiding small businesses owned by women and people of color. Eligibility criteria include:
Potentially, any legitimate business expense or cost necessary to implement the relaunch plan is an eligible use of funds. Program staff will make the determination of eligible costs after reviewing the completed application. Examples of eligible use of funds are:
TIMELINE
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be completed and submitted by Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be received online OR mailed in hard copy format to the DSSD office: 938 Broad Street, Bridgeport CT, 06604.
Apply here: https://infobridgeport.com/relaunch-grant-application/. You can also preview the application questions here.
A selection committee will review completed, eligible applications and select grantees with an eye towards the long-term viability of the businesses, distribution across sectors, and consideration of support businesses may have already received through other aid programs. Awards will first focus on aiding small businesses owned by women and people of color.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
The Bridgeport DSSD wishes to thank SCG & UI, part of the AVANGRID Family; PSEG; the City of Bridgeport; and the People’s United Community Foundation for their leadership gifts that allowed us to establish this program. Their support made the Relaunch Grant Program possible and they have our deepest gratitude.
The Pandemic Relaunch Grant program provides independently owned, ground floor small businesses in Downtown Bridgeport with $2,500 and technical assistance to implement a reopening plan.
The grant will be paired with pro bono technical assistance with the aim for the participant business owner to make informed decisions about how to grow and thrive in Downtown Bridgeport. The deliverable of the technical assistance will be a relaunch plan that addresses these topic areas:
- Capital access and management tactics
- Accounting and inventory (if applicable) management
- Operational guidance on how to relaunch and when, including responsibilities to employees and customers
- Messaging and channels to help attract customers new and old to the business
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Pandemic Relaunch Grant program is aimed at small businesses that have had difficulty obtaining funding from federal or state initiatives, with a particular focus on aiding small businesses owned by women and people of color. Eligibility criteria include:
- Must be located within the Downtown Special Services District boundaries and operating in a ground floor location.
- Must be independently owned. Businesses owned by women and people of color will be given preference.
- In an effort to make grants available to as many business owners as possible, principal owners of multiple businesses will only be eligible for one grant.
- Must be able to show the business had difficulty obtaining funding from federal or state initiatives.
- Must be able to provide at least one federal tax return.
- Must have an EIN and/or DUNS number, as applicable.
Potentially, any legitimate business expense or cost necessary to implement the relaunch plan is an eligible use of funds. Program staff will make the determination of eligible costs after reviewing the completed application. Examples of eligible use of funds are:
- Improvements to allow business to increase or start take out/carry out services, and physical improvements that would help the business meet social distancing requirements
- Inventory
- Advertising or marketing expenses
- Employee training in new operating procedures, protocols, and policies. This could also include customer service training.
- Technology hardware and subscriptions, such as Zoom, Shopify, Google Business, QuickBooks, laptop, video equipment.
- Note: Selected participants may not use the Pandemic Relaunch Grant funds to pay rent or utility bills.
TIMELINE
- June 5, 2020: Applications open
- June 15, 2020: Applications are due by 11:59 p.m.
- June 22, 2020: Selected participants are notified of their grant award.
- June 24, 2020: Program introduction and technical assistance matching
- No later than July 17, 2020: Micro-grant disbursement and plan implementation begins
- Implementation check ins: July 31, August 31, and December 31, 2020; as well as June 1, 2021.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be completed and submitted by Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be received online OR mailed in hard copy format to the DSSD office: 938 Broad Street, Bridgeport CT, 06604.
Apply here: https://infobridgeport.com/relaunch-grant-application/. You can also preview the application questions here.
A selection committee will review completed, eligible applications and select grantees with an eye towards the long-term viability of the businesses, distribution across sectors, and consideration of support businesses may have already received through other aid programs. Awards will first focus on aiding small businesses owned by women and people of color.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
The Bridgeport DSSD wishes to thank SCG & UI, part of the AVANGRID Family; PSEG; the City of Bridgeport; and the People’s United Community Foundation for their leadership gifts that allowed us to establish this program. Their support made the Relaunch Grant Program possible and they have our deepest gratitude.
