Enfield to launch ARPA Small Business Grant Program
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The town of Enfield.
Enfield is preparing to roll out its ARPA Small Business Grant Program, which will provide limited, one-time direct financial assistance to eligible small businesses recovering from the pandemic.
Members of the Economic Development Commission will outline the program to the Town Council for review on Monday before officials launch an informational campaign to the public throughout September.
Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu expects the application process to open around Oct. 1.
Local small businesses will apply for a share of the $250,000 American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 federal relief funds earmarked for this program.
Enfield received nearly $13 million in ARPA funding, much of which has been expended or earmarked for capital improvements, programs or services, including COVID pay, testing sites, public safety expenditures, and town department improvements and equipment.
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the needs of the business and intended use of the money, which will be outlined in applications.
Qualifying for-profit businesses must be in Enfield, have 500 or fewer employees and be independently owned and operated.
Town officials are looking for applicants to “demonstrate that such funds will be used exclusively for future expenditures that will add value, quality, desirability, and/or attractiveness to (the) business and community.”
Applications are available online, at Town Hall in the Office of Community Development, or can be requested via email from ARPA@enfield.org.
Applications will be accepted between Oct. 1 and Nov. 18, and can be submitted either at the Office of Community Development in Town Hall, or emailed to ARPA@enfield.org.
Zoppo-Sassu said the Town Council has designated ARPA money into every category for which the money is intended. Another $200,000 will soon be made available through a similar grant program for nonprofits that played a critical role in providing services to the public during the pandemic, Zoppo-Sassu said.
Businesses that are not eligible include residential or real estate businesses, elected officials and their immediate family members, or corporately owned or operated franchises.
Applications will be reviewed by the Enfield Economic Development Commission, and recommendations will be forwarded to the Town Council for final approval.
Contact Hanna at hgambini@hartofrdbusiness.com
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