MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this month announced the $100 million Revive Alabama grant program to support small businesses (businesses with 19 or fewer employees) that have been impacted by COVID-19, offering grants of up to $15,000 per business to reimburse those businesses for expenses they have incurred due to operational interruptions caused by the pandemic and related business closures. As the application period draws to a close, Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, who serves on the Senate Small Business Commission, is getting the word out to business owners to sign up ahead of the deadline this Saturday night, July 25.
Gudger told The Tribune he wants to make sure “all small businesses know that the Small Business Commission and myself have got something from the (federal) government for $100 million to put out for small businesses. You can apply right now, this week, from now through Saturday at midnight. You can apply for up to $15,000 for expenses for COVID. Small businesses are struggling, and they need to know this to apply for it, but it’s first come-first served. I want to make sure that everybody in my district gets a shot at it.”
In a press release, Ivey said, “In many ways, our small businesses were hit the hardest from the coronavirus pandemic. Ensuring these owners have every opportunity to recoup expenses incurred due the disruption of business is essential to getting our economy roaring once again.”
According to the release, Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of CARES Act funding to respond to and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama Act 2020-199 designated up to $300 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for individuals, businesses, nonprofit and faith-based organizations directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Qualifying businesses may receive up to $15,000 to reimburse these expenses if they have not received federal assistance for the corresponding item they are claiming with the State of Alabama. There is no set cap on the number of businesses that may be awarded a Revive Alabama Small Business Grant. Grants will be awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come-first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.
Find the grant application on the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Revive Alabama website at https://revenue.alabama.gov/revive-alabama/. The application period for the Revive Alabama Small Business Grant Program ends at midnight July 25, 2020.
According to the press release, “All applicants must first establish a secure My Alabama Taxes (MAT) account to protect their personal and business information on submitted applications. Small businesses are encouraged to start this process as soon as possible in advance of the application period opening. Each applying business must have its own MAT account to apply for a Revive Alabama Small Business Grant. Tax preparers may not apply for grants on behalf of their clients but may be able to assist potential applicants with information needed to establish their own MAT accounts.”
Gudger said, “I am proud to help make small business owners aware of this money from the State Legislature, Gov. Ivey and Lt. Gov. (Will Ainsworth), as we want to support our entrepreneurs and small businesses!”
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