From STAFF REPORTS
In collaboration with the community, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce has announced the formation of a special grant initiative to assist local small businesses as they struggle to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Called the Momentum Small Business Recovery Fund, the program is now accepting grant applications, according to Mike Griffin, Chamber president and CEO. Application deadline is Monday, June 1.
“From the early signs of the economic shutdown, it’s been our No. 1 goal to be an asset for our Chamber members and for other businesses in our community,” Griffin said. “We’ve worked hard to stay in touch with our members, provide information and highlight their changes of operation, some closings and now re-openings.”
Griffin said the timing is right for the small-business outreach; plus, it points to the advantage of having a strong connection between the Chamber of Commerce and its members, as well as the entire Cleveland and Bradley County community.
“When challenging times hit home, our community has always emerged with a ‘can do’ positive spirit of collaboration, reminding us that we are all in this together,” Griffin said.
Mike Thomasson, Chamber board chair and Cleveland senior vice president of Andrew Johnson Bank, concurred.
Thomasson pointed out the Chamber has continued to monitor the struggles of small businesses throughout the coronavirus shutdown that has crippled many local companies and Chamber partners.
“One of our board members, Brittney Katz from Terra Running Company, shared her experiences as a small business owner along with personal stories of others’ struggles,” Thomasson said. “In response we created the Momentum Small Business Recovery Fund to serve as a benefit to not only our small business Chamber members, but all small businesses in Cleveland and Bradley County.”
In 2019, the local Chamber celebrated attaining a goal for the Momentum Capital Campaign. This public/private program was developed to expand and accelerate community and economic development in Cleveland and Bradley County.
“The Chamber and our board of directors decided to dedicate a portion of these funds to aid the small businesses in our community as they recover, and in some cases reopen during the COVID-19 Crisis,” Thomasson said. “It is our desire to support small businesses and sole proprietors in the Cleveland and Bradley community.”
Additional details about the Chamber’s new grant program, and applicant criteria and guidelines, include:
• Only locally or independently owned businesses will be considered.
• Chamber membership is not required, but welcomed.
• Preferred use of funds is for reopening expense, but this is not a mandatory requirement.
• Small grants will be awarded to as many companies as possible.
• Grant amounts awarded will range from $500 to $2,500.
• The Momentum Small Business Recovery Fund allocations committee will consider one grant per federal Tax ID number.
• Grant applications must be completed in their entirety, with requested documentation, in order to be considered.
• The Momentum Recovery committee may arrange a call with a business to conduct further investigation after a grant application has been completed and received.
• The business will be notified by email whether or not its application will receive funding.
• Grants will be distributed by check once the award is accepted by the company.
• Due to the anticipated large volume of requests, the Momentum Recovery Fund may be unable to grant every proposal.
• Applicants should understand that rejection of a proposal in no way suggests rejection of the organization.
“It is my hope the majority of funds will go to aid these businesses in getting back on their feet and help open back up the economy in our community,” Griffin stressed.
To learn more on how to complete, and submit, a “Momentum Small Business Grant” application, go to www.ClevelandChamber.com. All completed applications must be received by June 1, 2020.
