- More than 18,000 applications submitted for the CT Cares Small Business Program
- With a $50 million pool available to distribute $5,000 grants, demand is nearly double the available amount of funding
- Businesses must meet a number of eligibility requirements to receive a grant
More than 18,000 applications have been submitted to the CT Cares Small Business Grant Program, according to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
The program, partially funded through the federal CARES Act, made available $50 million to be disbursed in $5,000 grants. Applicants must have fewer than 20 employees or a 2019 payroll of less than $1.5 million, and meet a variety of other requirements such as a founding date no later than Oct. 1, 2019. Grants may be used for several different purposes, including payroll, utilities, or reopening costs.
The application window was open between Nov. 12 and 20. Not all applicants will be able to receive funding, as approximately $90 million would be necessary to meet demand.
DECD plans to disburse at least half of the funds to the 25 towns and cities in Connecticut designated as economically distressed municipalities. All grants will be allocated by Dec. 30.