Town Of Needham Offers COVID-19 Grants To Help Small Businesses

NEEDHAM, MA — The Town of Needham is making $300,000 available to help local small businesses who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Select Board has authorized the town to provide grants of up to $10,000 to Needham businesses using a portion of the town's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Applications are available now and may be submitted through Jan. 31, 2022.

"While we had hoped that the pandemic would be long over by now, it's clear that it remains and that it will continue to challenge our business community," said Select Board Vice-Chair Marianne Cooley. "This assistance, coupled with the other efforts we have made to support our merchants, restaurants, and other businesses, will help ensure that they remain a vital part of our Town for many years to come."

Funds may be used by businesses to help retain and attract workers, provide for greater safety against COVID-19 including purchasing Personal Protective Equipment, outdoor dining accommodations, and improved ventilation, and other approved operating expenses.

"The intent of this program is to help Needham's small businesses mitigate the financial hardship they experienced as a result of the pandemic and to provide important aid for their continued recovery," said Amy Haelsen, Economic Development Manager for the Town of Needham.

The Select Board and Town leadership has been and remain deeply committed to assisting the business community as this pandemic continues to impact their wellbeing.

The application and grant process is designed to be simple. Businesses must fill out the online application, and provide an explanation of how the funds will be used, copies of required documents including Federal tax returns or Audited Financial Statements from both 2019 and 2020, and a signed affidavit.

The application submission period begins on Jan. 3 and ends on Jan. 31, 2022. Grants will be announced on Feb. 15, 2022.

These grants are provided on a reimbursement basis for approved expenses incurred during the period of February 15, 2022, through September 30, 2022.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

1. Be a Needham business with a brick-and-mortar (physical) location
2. Fewer than thirty-five (35) employees
3. Less than $1,500,000 in annual revenue, and
4. Registered with, in good standing with, and operating in, the Town of Needham (excluding chains but franchises allowed; franchise being defined as a business whereby the owner licenses its operations—along with its products, branding, and knowledge—in exchange for a franchise fee).

Priority will be given to businesses that applied for CARES Act funding last year and didn’t receive it due to lack of available funding (PPP, EIDL, Restaurant Revitalization Fund).
To learn more about the program and apply, please visit the Town's website.