Lawrence Emergency Small Business Dollars

Cash Support Rolled Out

August 17, 2020, Lawrence, MA- In response to the economic hardships that are being experienced by small businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Daniel Rivera announces today, two Emergency Small Business Relief Programs aimed to help Lawrence businesses remain open and retain jobs. “These are unprecedented times, and COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our small business community,” said Mayor Dan Rivera. “This new emergency small business support will help our small business and immigrant entrepreneur community as they work to get back on their feet.”

Shared Streets and Spaces Program 

 Grant Amount: Up to $5,000

 Program Description: 

This program supports restaurants that were affected by COVID-19 closures by providing durable infrastructure to expand outdoor dining options safely and securely. Funds from this project would support restaurants in purchasing outdoor furnishings as well as updated barriers, fencing, and platforms. Shared streets funding could be retro-active to June 8, 2020 as a result of costs incurred during Phase III of Lawrence’s re-opening plan that allowed outdoor dining.

 How to Apply: The application is closed. 

In addition to the application, the following documents are required:

• Invoices with expenses retro-active to June 8, 2020.
• Pictures of outdoor dining set-up.

Basic Terms : 

• Funds will be disbursed in a onetime payment to the business owner  
• Allow City to collect income and demographic data from applicants and their employees
• Through partner organizations will provide grant recipients with training is areas such as accounting, marketing, technology integration, etc. which should be completed within two years of receiving the funds 

Small Business Relief Grant Program:

The goal of these programs is to keep businesses open and retain jobs. 

 Program Description: 

a. Micro-enterprise Assistance Program: To qualify an eligible business must have: 

• Five or fewer employees including themselves and 
• The business owner must have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income 

b. Special Economic Development Activities: To qualify the business must: 

• Meet a public benefit, which means jobs for low/moderate income person must be created or retained 
• At least one “Full Time Equivalent” permanent job must be created or retained. This must be documented. 
• If a business applicant has laid off some or all employees, but reports they intend to hire once this crisis ends - this can be considered job creation

Funding Source: City of Lawrence’s HUD Community Development Block Grant CV ($1,000,000)[1]

Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 grant per business 

Application Period:  The application is closed.

In addition to the application, the following documents are required:

• Most recent IRS 1040 Form
• Business operating agreement (for multiple owners)
• Income and conflict of interest self-certification form (included in the application)
• Previous four weeks of payroll
• Liability insurance (or ability to obtain)
• DUNS Number (if you don’t already have one, go here to get one: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html)
• Business must be Incorporated prior to December 31, 2019.

Basic Program Eligibility 

• For-profit business located in City of Lawrence with less than 10 employees
• Applicant is 51% + majority owner of business
• Can provide financial evidence of potential job loss or declining sales as a result of COVID-19 

Eligible costs: Basic operating capital for staff salaries, leasing space, insurance, and/or utilities. Requests for inventory, supplies, furniture, software, equipment, other may also be considered. 

Basic Terms : 

• Funds will be disbursed in a onetime payment to the business owner  
• Allow City to collect income and demographic data from applicants and their employees
• Through partner organizations will provide grant recipients with training is areas such as accounting, marketing, technology integration, etc. which should be completed within two years of receiving the funds