- Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program to distribute $800,000 in additional funding to Hartford small businesses
- Program was launched earlier this year to support city businesses that encountered difficulties in receiving federal or state monies
- Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin says a third round of grants is planned for 2021
Hartford is continuing a grant program for the city’s small businesses, opening another round of funding to the tune of $800,000. Connecticut’s capital city is also planning another distribution of grants in 2021.
Hartford’s Emergency Small Business Grant Program was established in April to assist small businesses that might have trouble qualifying for state or federal funds. The program distributed $1.25 million, including $300,000 provided by Bank of America and Travelers, to 161 businesses. Seventy-two percent of the recipients were people of color, and 48 percent were women.
The second round will mostly support 100 businesses who applied in the first round but did not receive a grant because their application was incomplete or funding ran out. Grants will be distributed in amounts of $5,000 to $10,000.
The new grants are funded by $500,000 in federal monies administered by Hartford, with the remainder being supplied by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The city is also partnering with Capital for Change and HEDCO Inc. in the effort.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin says a third round of grants is planned for 2021 and will make at least $750,000 available to qualifying businesses. Hartford is currently seeking other partners to potentially increase the amount of available funding.
