As Governor Lamont announced today, the state has created the Connecticut CARES Small Business Grant Program to help small businesses and nonprofits that continue to be negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut with a 2019 payroll of less than $1.5 million OR 20 or fewer employees can apply for a one-time grant of $5,000. DECD will administer the program and online applications are estimated to begin the week of November 9. All funding will be disbursed by the end of the year.

Per Governor Lamont’s direction, half of the funds will be allocated to small businesses and nonprofits located in towns and cities that have been designated as distressed municipalities. The program is funded from Connecticut’s portion of the federal CARES Act.

Additional information, along with eligibility requirements, can be found here. DECD will also host webinars and online discussions in the coming weeks to assist businesses and nonprofits with the application process.

We continue to do everything possible to help organizations that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. We will be in touch over the next few weeks with more information leading up to the launch of the grant application.

Thank you and stay healthy.

Sincerely,
David Lehman, Commissioner
david.lehman@ct.gov, (860) 500-2310