The city of Milwaukee has announced the second round of a federally-funded program to provide grants to small businesses harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Tom Barrett says the city is taking applications for $10 million available under its Restart program, which applies to firms with fewer than 20 full-time employees and less than $2 million in annual revenue. There was a $4 million grant round several months ago.
The mayor says more types of businesses are being encouraged to apply now, "including home-based businesses, food trucks, licensed day cares, and state-licensed group homes.” Barrett says establishments trying to maintain outdoor dining during the colder weather can also apply.
"If restaurants or bars want to use that to get heaters and things like that, it appears that would be an eligible item. That said, that's maybe the theoretical part, because it's probably going to get more difficult for people to find outdoor heaters and lights, as I can attest for my home, trying to find a backyard heater for my patio. There's a lot of demand for them right now,” Barrett said Thursday.
Barrett says the Restart application can be done online. He says the deadline is next Thursday, Oct. 8. Barrett says it is not a first-come, first-served process, but that the city will review all the applications after the filing deadline.
Companies that received a grant before can apply again, but no firm can receive more than $25,000.
