Small businesses in Wards 7 and 8 will soon have another opportunity to get financial support through the COVID-19 crisis. The Small Business Microgrant Program has been extended to make funds available specifically to businesses east of the river.
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will make up to $800,000 available for small businesses in Wards 7 and 8. The program will provide each business up to $10,000.
The microgrant program was established March 17 with a $25 million pot, and closed April 2. The funding pool was later expanded with an additional $8 million sourced from both Events DC and the Federal CARES Act. Some of these additional funds came from the Community Development Block Grant a federal program which are administered by DHCD and targeted for businesses in Ward 7 and 8. More than 7,000 applications were received, and grantees were notified between April 29 and May 8.
This expanded round is for small businesses in Ward 7 and 8 that did not apply for a grant during the first round in the microgrants program.
Applications will open Wednesday, May 20 and close Friday, May 29. They will be found at coronavirus.dc.gov.
