Grant funding for small businesses is now available for fifteen Southwest Indiana communities. Each community received up to $250,000 in competitive grant funding through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ COVID-19 Response Program Phase 3 to provide critical relief to local small businesses during the ongoing effects of the virus pandemic.
Small Businesses meeting eligibility criteria located within the following communities or counties are encouraged to apply: Boonville, Chandler, Elberfeld, Fort Branch, Gibson County, Haubstadt, Lynnville, Mount Vernon, New Harmony, Newburgh, Oakland City, Posey County, Princeton, Vanderburgh County and Warrick County.
Interested businesses will complete an online application based on the physical location of the business. Grant applications opened on April 21, 2021 at 12pm CDT and will close on May 5, 2021 at 3pm CDT.
Grant funding can be used for working capital, continued operation expenses or to support remote work expenses. The grant is designed to support businesses in high risk categories, including food and beverage, personal care, professional services, and retail sectors.
Eligible businesses/individuals must meet the following guidelines:
- Be a legal business, which can include self-employed individuals
- Micro-businesses/sole proprietors must receive W-2 or 1099, or other form of schedule approved by the IRS. No cash wages will be considered.
- Must meet the definition of a small business.
- Demonstrate the direct correlation of their business disruption due to COVID-19.
- Primary office or business location must be within Warrick County corporate boundaries.
- Businesses receiving other COVID-19 assistance such as PPP, EIDL are eligible to apply.
- Only online applications will be accepted.
Each community will work with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership who will administer the funds in a competitive grant program. To apply for funding or more information, go to https://www.southwestindiana.org/covid-19-grants/