By: 1812Blockhouse Staff
UPDATE: On April 20, we published the story below about the US Chamber Foundation’s Save Small Business Fund, and Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development‘s encouragement for Richland County’s small businesses to apply.
In an announcement on the Fund’s website, the Foundation has announced that applications are no longer being accepted. In a letter posted on the site, Foundation President Carolyn Cawley shared that technological issues appeared almost immediately when some 15,000 applications were received within a matter of minutes. Cawley shared, “We wish we could help everyone who needs it.”
The page does encourage business to look at non-financial resource links available elsewhere on the website.
As of noon on Monday, Richland County’s small businesses have the opportunity to apply for $5,000 grants through the US Chamber Foundation.
The Foundation has created the Save Small Business Fund, focusing on providing assistance to operations that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is encouraging local businesses to apply.
The requirements for grants are that the business employs 3 to 20 people, it must be located in an “econmically vunerable community,” and it must have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All County zip codes quality, the Chamber shared, as determined by the Distressed Communities Index, a measure of the economic well-being of U.S. communities developed by the Economic Innovation Group. Just as some businesses face higher risks than others, some communities are more vulnerable. This Save mall Business Fund is dedicated to helping employers in the places that need them most.
According to the Foundation, grants will be awarded weekly until all funds have been used. Once the grantee has been notified and submitted payment information that meets compliance checks, it will take 3-5 days to process the payment.The application is short. It will take about 10 minutes to complete. All you will need is your business’s W-9 form.
To apply, visit this location online.
