The Town of Brookline would like to invite small business owners to an upcoming information session about the Small Business Resilience Grant Program.
The Town of Brookline will hold a virtual information session for small business owners on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. This session will discuss the Small Business Resilience Grant Program, which is designed to assist Brookline’s small businesses that were disproportionality impacted by CoViD-19 fund projects, that were given to optimize and grow small businesses.
The information session is being held as an opportunity for small business owners to learn more about the program, ask questions, and hear answers.
Small business owners interested in attending the session should register in advance here. The information session will be recorded for those who are not able to attend.
Business owners must apply for the program. Eligible project proposals must fit into one of three broad categories: Placemaking, Programming, and Facilities / Infrastructure.
- Placemaking: Projects that cultivate inclusive and inspiring exterior spaces through public art, communal gathering areas, façade improvements, collaboration with local artists, or other endeavors (murals, aesthetically pleasing outdoor dining, café tables, pop-up venue, etc.). Property owner approval is required if the applicant is a tenant.
- Programming: Organizational growth through new or expanded programs or services (for example a new website, offering online ordering, e-commerce, etc.). These programs or services must be long-term. One-time-only events, programs, and services will not be funded.
- Facilities and Infrastructure: Physical updates to the interior or exterior of the building. Renovations to buildings or spaces to address public health concerns (for example, installation of protective barriers or renovations that allow physical distancing or improved air circulation), to become ADA accessible (for example, push button doors, ADA furniture, etc.), to become more resilient to climate change (for example, weatherization, heat pump installation, native plantings, or composting), and/or support organizational expansion. Property owner approval is required if the applicant is a tenant.
If an applicant has two projects planned in two different categories, they may submit two applications – one for each project. If the two projects are connected, reference in both applications how they relate to each other and why both should be funded as each application will be reviewed on its own merit.
Applications can be found here and will be accepted through March 29, 2024.
The Small Business Resilience Grant Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Town Select Board invested $500,000 of the Town’s allocated ARPA funds to support the small business community and commercial area vibrancy. ARPA is intended to address the negative health and economic impacts caused by the CoViD-19 pandemic. Businesses selected to receive grants are subject to all local, state, and federal regulations.
For more information about the program and the application, visit the Small Business Resilience Grant Program page here. If you have any questions attend the live virtual information session or contact Economic Development Planner Jessica DeRoy at EconomicDevelopment@brooklinema.gov.
