The City of St. Louis and St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) released eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Grant Fund.
The City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) released eligibility criteria for small business relief allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This program will serve approximately 900 businesses that will receive $5,000 grants each.
“As a former small business owner, I know how challenging running a business can be, and the pandemic has made the chances for success become even more difficult,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “St. Louis can not move forward from the pandemic if we leave our entrepreneurs and small business owners behind. This fund is just one of the creative ways I’m using ARPA dollars to support them.”
Beginning Monday, April 4, small businesses can fill out in-person applications. The online application portal will open April 14 at 8 a.m.
Small businesses are still on the road to recovery from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $5,000 grants can be used to cover costs such as payroll, rent, utilities, obtain PPE, and secure inventory. Required documents for the application include a current W-9, business license, and bank statements that show “economic impact resulting in COVID-19.”
To be eligible for the grant program, applicants must own a business located in the City of St. Louis, have 25 or fewer employees, be current on all city taxes, demonstrate COVID-19 hardship, and owners must have and maintain an active City of St. Louis Business License at the time of application and receipt of grant funds.
“Small businesses are at the center of building a more resilient and vibrant economy in response to COVID-19,” said Neal Richardson, SLDC Executive Director. “These grant dollars will provide business owners with the ability to support their employees, better serve their customers and contribute to the economic growth of the neighborhoods in which they operate.”
Applicants can drop off completed paper applications on April 14-15 and April 18-19 at the SLDC Office located at 1520 Market Street. Office hours are 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
There will also be two in-person application events for business owners without access to a computer. These events will be limited to the first 120 participants. Events will be held on April 4th at The Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103 from 9:30 A.M–3 P.M. and April 6th at The Youth and Family Center, 818 Cass Ave, 63106 from 9:30 A.M–3 P.M.
A full list of eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions can be found on the City of St. Louis website.
If you need assistance filling out the online application, email [email protected]
