HomeMy Public PortalAboutWatertown Press Release Microenterprise Grant_2020_0908_202009081332319447•MGCC
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EMPOWERING SMALL BUSINESS
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Massachusetts
"For Immediate Release"
Contact: Gideon Schreiber, AICP, Senior Planner
Phone Number: (617) 972-6417
Email: gschreiber@watertown-ma.gov
"The Department of Housing and Community Development Announces Grant Opportunity"
The Town of Watertown receives microenterprise grant supporting local establishments.
Town of Watertown (September 8, 2020)- Applications are now being accepted for the
Microenterprise grant which is part of the $19.6 million award through the federally -funded
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the CARES Act of 2020. The
$4,950,000 grant from the Department of Housing & Community Development was awarded to
assist small businesses in 23 cities and towns across the Metropolitan Boston Region, including
the City known as the Town of Watertown.
The funding is being utilized to address emergency needs in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, the grant award for these 23 communities will be utilized to award individual grants
of up to $10,000 for microenterprise businesses. A microenterprise is defined as a commercial
enterprise that has 5 or fewer employees, 1 or more of whom owns the enterprise and must be
a for-profit entity. The Town of Watertown will be receiving $280,500.00 to support small
businesses in the community.
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation ("MGCC") will be helping to administer and oversee
the grant program. Applications are available here (https://massgcc.submittable.com/submit)
and are due by September 25th.
The communities that are part of this coalition include: Ashland, Beverly, Burlington, Canton,
Concord, Dedham, Essex, Lexington, Manchester by the Sea, Marlborough, Melrose, Milton,
Natick, North Reading, Norwood, Randolph, Reading, Sharon, Southborough, Stoneham,
Watertown, Winchester or Woburn.
Businesses interested in applying must fill out the online application only. For questions look at
the frequently asked questions or contact: Gideon Schreiber, Senior Planner,
gschreiber@watertown-ma.gov or at (617) 972-6417
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