The Dane County Small Business Grant Program, administered by Dane Buy Local, is available for small businesses experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
By creating this grant program, Dane County and Dane Buy Local hope to help local businesses survive the COIVD-19 public health crisis, which has caused many to temporarily close their doors. Through this grant program, businesses will be able to apply for funding to help stay afloat and retain employees. We encourage small business owners throughout our community to apply.
The criteria being used to award grants include:
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- Average grant of approximately $10,000 per business
- Business experiencing financial hardship which is expected to continue for at least the next 3 months
- Number of employees
- The business an independently owned, a local business whose main office is based in Dane County. Franchises do not qualify
- Minority and Woman-owned businesses including people of color, immigrants, women, veterans, and LGBT
- Funds used for COVID-19 related expense (rent, payroll, utilities, etc.) or business development opportunities to save or pivot the business
- Payments provided to a business name (not an individual)
- The businesses revenues decreased by 30% or more in 2020 versus 2019
- The business a for-profit enterprise. Nonprofits do not qualify for this grant program
- The maximum grant amount is $50,000
There is $4 million of available funding to support Dane County locally owned small businesses with employee retention and to mitigate losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards will range up to $50,000.
Please complete your application completely so we may process it as efficiently as possible. Applications with missing information may not be accepted.
The application deadline is February 15, 2021. Grant award notices are expected to be sent out within 3-4 weeks after the deadline.