Grant program to award $10 million for businesses struggling with rent
Aug 22, 2020, 11:39 AM
(AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
PHOENIX — A $10 million grant program to help small businesses manage mortgage and rent expenses amid the coronavirus pandemic is accepting applicants.
The program, set up in partnership with the Governor’s Office and Local First Arizona Foundation, is distributing the money to businesses impacted by the June 29 closure orders and limits placed on large group outings.
Businesses such as gyms, fitness centers, bars and nightclubs, indoor movie theaters, water parks and tubing operators are eligible to apply, according to a release.
Applications can be found online.
To be eligible, businesses must be able to prove they have been operational in Arizona prior to Jan. 1, the physical location is not the owner’s personal residence and employ less than 50 people.
Businesses with multiple locations are only allowed to submit one application per business.
Maximum awards for businesses will be $25,000 and awards will be prioritized for those most in need.
Local First Arizona Foundation has distributed $2 million in grant funds to help small businesses recover from the economic downfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.