Yahoo Finance Phoenix has $1 million in small business grants it can't give away. Act fast, or it's gone.
PHOENIX – Own a small business in Phoenix or maybe a non-profit? Been struggling? Want $10,000?
OK. No, seriously.
The city of Phoenix has more than $1 million in grant money it can’t seem to give away to qualifying businesses.
“Retailers, nonprofits, home businesses, solo practitioners, even mobile businesses can apply, as long as they are in the city of Phoenix and meet the other criteria,” said Christine Mackay, the director Phoenix Community and Economic Development.
There is, however, a hitch. The offer expires at 5 p.m. on Oct. 30.
More than 2,000 have already gotten help
The Phoenix City Council in May set aside $12 million in CARES Act funding to assist small business owners who have struggled to stay afloat since COVID-19 slammed into the state. Since then, more than 2,000 small businesses have gotten grants of up $10,000 each through the Phoenix Small Business Resiliency Grants program.
People like Veronica Manriquez, who owns Clamatos La Cruda, a restaurant near 32nd Street and Thomas. Manriquez got a $10,000 grant that helped her pay the rent and her employees.
People like Mabel Tsosie, who owns Spottedhorse Infosystems. She works out of her own home, offering computer, business support and consulting services. A $3,000 grant allowed her to buy new equipment to boost her computing power as she looks for ways to replace lost business.
People like Joe Seriale, who owns Joe’s Diner in the city’s Melrose District. When restaurants were ordered closed this spring, his sales dropped 88%. The $10,000 grant allowed him to continue paying his employees and to cover his rent and utilities for a month.
"It gave me at least a month of breath and if I can stretch it out, a month and a half,” he told me this summer. “You’re damn straight it helped. It was lifesaving.”
While earlier the grant program was limited to businesses operating in or near low-income neighborhoods, the City Council opened it up to businesses anywhere in Phoenix.
Here's how to apply
Small businesses are eligible if they employ up to 25 workers, have been in the city for a year, have gross sales of under $3 million and can show a 25% drop in sales, year over year, in any month since March.
The Arizona Community Foundation is handling applications for the grant program. There are no fees associated with applying.
For more information, check out the City of Phoenix's website . But do it soon. At 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, this program turns into a pumpkin and any leftover funds will be redirected in the city's other COVID-19-related efforts.
The city is trying to give away this money — and maybe along with it, just a little of peace of mind at a time where there are small business owners who could use both.
“I went to sleep that night that I finally got it,” Seriale said. “And that was a long time coming.”
Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix has $1 million it can't give away. Here's how to get it