Over 1,000 small local businesses have received grants
Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the impact of the City of Boston’s Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) 2.0. Building on her commitment to supporting local, diverse small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing our local economic recovery, SBRF 2.0 has awarded $12.8 million to date to 1,037 small business owners across all Boston neighborhoods funds. This program is funded by the federal American Rescue Program Act (ARPA).
“During the pandemic, our small business owners have faced many challenges while continuing to serve our communities,” he said. Mayor Wu Meiling“I thank our City Council partners for supporting this important work and providing critical resources to our small businesses. If we focus our local economic recovery on building prosperous, inclusive and equitable economies, we will continue to support our small businesses.” Businesses are the backbone of our community.”
The SBRF 2.0 program provides small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with up to $10,000 in relief funds to cover rent, inventory and other fixed costs. To help our local economy recover, businesses can also apply for up to $10,000 in growth funding to help grow or expand their business. These funds can be used for tools and technology, materials and personnel, and other costs associated with investing in business growth.
“SBRF 2.0 is a critical resource to help our small business community survive the surge in COVID-19 Omicrom variants and be better positioned to grow and expand as we rebuild our economy,” said Segun Idowu, Director of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “I am grateful to our small business team whose tireless efforts have helped us stabilize many local companies, and to Mayor Wu and the Boston City Council for their swift action in support of this program.”
Small businesses located in Boston are eligible to apply for the program, with priority given to industries most directly impacted by COVID-19-related closures, policies or general loss of revenue. These industries include food service and restaurants, hotels, barber and beauty salons, retail storefronts, arts and entertainment, travel, fitness and daycare.
In keeping with the mayor’s commitment to equity, the percentage of diverse business owners who received funding included 68% minority businesses, 58% women businesses and 18% immigrant businesses. The average grant award per business combined relief and growth funding was $12,520.
Breakdown of SBRF 2.0 Grant Recipients by Community as of July 2022
The SBRF 2.0 program is administered by the Small Business Division of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion.The plan initially Launching in September 2021. In January 2022, Mayor Wu promised to add $5 million to supplement the program With the support of the Boston City Council.
“I’m proud of our team for providing these vital funds to our small business community, which has remained resilient throughout the pandemic,” said Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business. “If we close this fund, I’m excited to add programs and continue to support our small businesses across the city.”
“We are delighted to receive the grant,” he said Leon and Clarissa Egreton, owners of the Frugal Bookstore in Nubia Square. “This grant makes it possible for us to hire an additional employee. It also helps us keep pace with our suppliers.”
The Small Business Unit (SBU) continues to provide key resources to Boston’s small business community. Following the SBRF 2.0 program, the City will partner with business service organizations to provide small businesses with technical assistance and long-term planning support beyond grants. SBU continues to operate every year technical assistance The program offers free workshops and pairs small businesses with business experts to assist with accounting, legal services, marketing, business planning, and more. SBU also manages Restoring Boston A program to protect and improve commercial facades and storefronts.
For more information on small business resources, to connect with a community business manager, or to subscribe to NYC’s small business newsletter, visit https://www.boston.gov/small-business.