City of Revere Response to COVID-19: May 14, 2020 Update
May 14, 2020
Mayor Arrigo Announces First Round of Emergency Small Business Funding
$108,000 to be Distributed to 39 Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
May 14, 2020 – The City of Revere’s Emergency Response Team continues to take proactive steps to slow community transmission of COVID-19 and establish strategies for longer-term recovery efforts. As of May 14, the Revere Board of Health has been notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health of 1,435 positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Revere.
Today Mayor Arrigo announced the first round of funding through the City’s Emergency Small Business Program. Thirty-nine small businesses will receive a combined $108,000 over the next week. Grant recipients include hair and beauty salons, barber shops, bakeries and restaurants, a jewelry store and dance studio, among others. The grants range from $1,000-$5,000, dependent upon the size of the business and documented need. The Mayor has authorized a total of $1.37 million in Community Development Block Grant funding to be divided between grants for small businesses and community-based organizations.
“Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our city and we know they need immediate relief,” said Mayor Arrigo. “Our team has been working hard to support as many businesses through the application process as possible, and we’re happy to provide this initial round of funding to help cover some of their mounting expenses and retain their employees. We’ll continue to distribute grants on a rolling basis and I would encourage all qualifying businesses to apply.”
To-date, more than 90 businesses have applied for funding. Businesses receiving grants in the first round of funding will be eligible for additional funding in subsequent rounds. Businesses who haven’t yet applied for the grant can still do so. More applications are expected to be reviewed and approved in the next week.
“Running a restaurant is a tough business, but getting some money that we don’t have to pay back is a big help. I will be able to pay some of my employees for payroll and pay one month’s rent,” said Alex Herrera, owner of Valsos Table & Bar, which opened for business in October 2019 and will receive a $5,000 grant.
The City’s Emergency Small Business Program aims to provide immediate relief for small businesses in jeopardy as a result of COVID-19 public safety measures. Qualifying businesses will be awarded up to $10,000 through CDBG funding. The application and criteria for the funding is available to small business owners at revere.org/smallbusiness. Grant funds can be used for working capital costs such as payroll, lease obligations, utility and/or debt payments, and inventory expenses.