Small businesses affected by COVID-19 can apply for grants of $10,000 through a new program set up by the City of Midland and Midland College Business and Economic Development Center.
The City of Midland Business Micro‐Grant Assistance Project is made possible through coronavirus funding the city received, a press release on the city’s website said.
“The program is available for business interruptions occurring on or after March 27, 2020 (date as signed by President Donald Trump through the Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Securities Act) due to the COVID‐19, which resulted in required closures and/or voluntary closures to promote social distancing or decreased customer demand,” the press release said.
The $10,000 grants “will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis,” the press release said.
The Midland City Council approved the program last year, the Dec. 15, 2020 council minutes said. The council approved a resolution “authorizing the appropriation of funds in the amount of $1 million from the CARES grant,” and that executed “a contract with Midland College to provide program administrative services at a cost not to exceed $37,000,” the minutes said.
“This money will go to small businesses with revenues less than $1 million per year,” the minutes said. “Each business can receive up to $10,000 in grant money. This is not a forgivable loan, but a grant. Midland College will administer the application.”
Patrick Cordero told the council that businesses were “wondering how they will make it through January,” the minutes said.
“Restaurants, barber shops and hair stylists could all use $10,000 to get through to the next level,” the minutes said.
Grant applications may be downloaded at www.midlandtexas.gov, the press release said. More information is available by contacting City of Midland Community Development Manager Isaac Garnett at 432-685-7408 or the BEDC at (432) 684-4309 or bedc@midland.edu.
“Completed applications and supporting documents must be hand-delivered to the Midland College Cogdell Learning Center, 201. W. Florida Ave. Midland, TX,” the press release said. “The building’s business hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.”