HILLTOWNS – Small businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19 closures in Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Montgomery may apply for grants of up to $10,000 through the Micro-enterprise Relief Program (MRP) of the Hilltown Community Development Corp.

The MRP is designed to assist businesses with five or fewer employees, including the owners, that have been negatively impacted due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide one-time grants from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for business owners who need financial assistance to support business operational costs in order to keep the business sustainable.

Examples of potential allowable grant uses include operating costs – rent, mortgage, utilities, business insurance premiums; inventory, materials or supplies; small equipment/tools needed due to altering product or service to be provided; personal protection equipment purchases or alterations to location to allow ease of reopening due to COVID-19, and payment for professional services needed to pivot business including but not limited to marketing related activities or website improvements.

Grant funds must be used within two months of the award. The applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Funding will be awarded based on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding.

Eligible businesses must have been in business as of Jan. 1, 2019, have temporarily closed or reduced hours due to COVID-19, and the business owner’s family income must fall within the income guideline. Income limits are listed on the application, which is available at www.hilltowncdc.org/microenterprise-relief.

Email Bea von Hagke at beavh@hilltowncdc.org for questions or to submit an application or mail a completed application to Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17, Chesterfield, MA 01012.