Second round of grants for small business announced
ALEXANDRIA BACK TO BUSINESS GRANTS
ROUND TWO
Businesses with 100 or fewer employees, get ready to apply for a grant of $5,000 to $20,000. This second round of grants makes more businesses eligible than the first round. The application period, beginning September 30, is quite short, so read the materials and prepare now.
On Tuesday September 8th, the Alexandria City Council approved an additional $2.4 million to fund a second round of the Alexandria Back to Business (ALX B2B) grant program. These funds will be available to qualifying small businesses and certain nonprofits to offset costs and/or investments related to reopening and rescaling their business. Earlier this year, Round One of the ALX B2B grants disbursed $3.495 million to 303 businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application period for Round Two will open starting on Wednesday, September 30th at 8:00AM and will close on Monday, October 5th at 12:00PM. Applications must be completed and submitted online.
The program criteria for Round Two has been expanded so additional types of businesses and nonprofit childcare providers will be eligible to apply for a grant. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the number of employees working for the business. For Round Two, applicants must meet all of the below criteria to be eligible for an ALX B2B grant:
25% negative revenue impact attributable to the COVID-19 health emergency
Licensed business in the City of Alexandria
Physical location within the City of Alexandria
In operation as of March 14, 2020
For-profit small business
Any entity (for-profit or nonprofit) that provides full-day or part-day childcare services to children 0-13 years of age and is licensed or regulated by a local ordinance or state licensing body
Business is current on all local business taxes or is on a payment plan with the City
Not currently involved in business bankruptcy proceedings
Intend to remain operating in Alexandria through December 31, 2020
Between 0 – 100 employees
Locally owned and operated
Ineligible business types include: home-based businesses (except for childcare providers), any business that was awarded a B2B grant in Round One, financial institutions, grocery stores & pharmacies, and gas stations.
ALX B2B Grants must be used to offset costs and/or investments related to reopening or rescaling a business. For example, the purchase of equipment and supplies that promote health and safety, technology to support e-commerce, and rent. Grants will be provided in four amounts based on the business’s number of employees:
$5,000 – Independent Contractors (zero employees)
$10,000 – 1-24 employees
$15,000 – 25-49 employees
$20,000 – 50-100 employees
Additional details about the program and application process will be posted in the coming days. A Sample Application in multiple languages and Frequently Asked Questions will be available to allow businesses time to review the questions and compile required documents and information in advance of the open application period will be available at the AEDP website
Click here to download handout
