Town Of Dedham Small Business Relief Grant: 2021 Update

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

March 18, 2021

$225,000 of funding is still available!

Dedham small business owners may be eligible to apply for grants up to $10,000 to redress COVID business losses. These are grants, not loans.

Qualify with a 2020 tax return!

Business owners can now use 2020 federal household income tax returns to qualify.

What businesses are eligible?

1. Only microenterprises are eligible:
   • for-profit business entities,
   • with 5 employees or fewer, and
   • owned by one or more of the employees.
2. Businesses must be located in Dedham. Home-based businesses may be eligible.
3. The microenterprise had to be in business as of Oct. 31, 2019.
4. Eligibility is limited by household income. All owners of the business must earn annual income equal to or less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) based on family size. That would be $96,250 for a family of four in fiscal year 2020. More information is available in the application form. The following chart provides some guidance:
   

What if my business already received some form of federal or state relief?

COVID-related expenses not covered by other funding may be eligible. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities, technical assistance, general support and stabilization of the business. Funds may also be used for purchasing personal protection equipment (PPE).

What if I do not live in Dedham?

Any Dedham microenterprise can apply regardless of where the business owner lives.

Minority-status-owned businesses will receive priority.

Applications from microenterprises owned by Women, Minorities, Veterans, LGBTQ persons, and persons with a Disability will receive priority for funding.

Who cannot apply?

Certain businesses are excluded: real estate rental or sales firms, businesses owned by persons under age 18, franchises, liquor stores, firearms dealers, lobbyists, or cannabis-related businesses.

When can I apply?

Now! Start getting the necessary paperwork together. Applications will be accepted in 2021 until the funding is depleted.

How do I apply?

For more information about eligibility and eligible uses of funding—and to access the application form—please see:

https://massgcc.submittable.co...

Dedham residents needing assistance should contact John Sisson, (781) 751-9175, [email protected]

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.