Small Business Grants

Small Business Relief Grants Are OPEN application period June 23 - July 2, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) oversees the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program which will make available $10,000 grants to Minnesotan-owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of $60.3 million is available statewide, with $30 million available for Greater Minnesota small businesses. Grants can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses. They do not have to be repaid. The application period begins TODAY, June 23, and closes July 2 at 5:00 p.m. Grant recipients will be chosen by a computer-generated, randomized lottery system administered by the State of Minnesota.

Apply for the Small Business Relief Grants

Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to: 50 or fewer full-time employees. Permanent physical location in Minnesota. Majority-owned by permanent Minnesota resident. Businesses must be able to demonstrate hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Spanish, Somali and Hmong translations of the material, including the applications, are available on the DEED site. The translated copies are meant as guides for filling out the online application. DEED will only be accepting applications submitted through the online form. The Cultural Market program that is a part of this funding will be handled through a separate application process solely for operators of the markets. DEED hopes to have the application ready for cultural market operators today or tomorrow.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is proud to partner with DEED on helping get dollars out the door to support businesses as quickly as possible. SMIF's role will be to distribute grant funds to southern Minnesota businesses that were selected by the lottery process. Businesses must apply through the DEED website.