Blog Post  Sector Specific Relief Grants Available for Small Businesses

If you are a small business owner who has been negatively impacted by the pandemic, more assistance is available through the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program. Funds of close to $700 million dollars will be distributed by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to those businesses in sectors hardest hit by the pandemic restrictions and closures. To be considered for one of these relief grants you must submit an application by 11:59pm on January 15^th.

To date, MGCC has awarded $67.4 million to 1,366 small businesses throughout the state. These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) as well as through the CARES Act of 2020. Allocated through both new and existing programs, the relief fund aims to prioritize small businesses most in need of immediate relief.

Preference for this round of funding will be given to the following sectors:

• Restaurants, bars, caterers, and food trucks that collect and remit meals tax
• Indoor Recreation or Entertainment Establishments
  • Indoor entertainment establishments (e.g. movie theaters, comedy clubs, performing arts venues/organizations)
  • Indoor recreation (e.g. arcades, bowling centers, pool/billiard halls, escape-the-rooms, trampoline parks, roller-skating rinks)
  • Indoor spectator sports venues
  • Other indoor recreation or entertainment venues
• Gyms or Fitness Centers
  • Gyms, athletic clubs, exercise centers, health clubs
  • Sports facilities (e.g. tennis clubs, racquetball clubs, hockey rinks, swimming facilities)
  • Fitness instruction centers (e.g. aerobics, dance, yoga, karate, etc.)
  • Other gyms or fitness centers
• Personal Services
  • Nail salons, barber shops, etc.
  • Independent pharmacies
• Event Support Companies – primary source (more than 50%) of revenue is event-related
  • Photography studios, videography studios, florists, limo services, event planning companies, event rentals, performers, convention and trade show organizations
• Independent Retailers
  • Businesses with brick and mortar locations that collect and remit sales tax

To learn more, or apply for a grant, visit Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) or visit MGCC’s online application portal.