Hilltown Micro-Enterprise Relief Program
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Hilltown CDC, on behalf of the Town of Chesterfield and with potential funding provided through both their CDBG FY19 grant and a CARES Act grant has established a Microenterprise Relief Program (MRP) to help businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program has ended; applications are no longer being accepted.
For more information about small business support in the Hilltowns, please contact Michele Kenney at michelek@hilltowncdc.org
Program Summary
The Microenterprise Relief Program (MRP) is designed to assist businesses with 5 or less employees (including the owner) that have been negatively impacted due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide one-time grants for business owners who need financial assistance to support business operational costs in order to keep the business sustainable. Grant funds must be used within two months of award. Applications are now being accepted. Funding will be awarded based on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding.
Grant amounts will range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 to cover business losses incurred after May 10, 2020.
Eligible Towns for CARES Act funds: Ashfield, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington.
Examples of potential allowable grant uses:
Microenterprise Grantees
Read about local businesses that have receive a Microenterprise Grant from Hilltown CDC
· 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
· Payment for professional services needed to pivot business including but not limited to marketing related activities or website improvements
Examples of grant uses that are not allowable (list not exhaustive):
· Payment of outstanding debt incurred prior to COVID-19
· Vehicle purchase / lease for business use
· Payment of any existing Tax liens
Your business may be eligible if:
- You have been in business as of Jan 1, 2019
- You have 5 or fewer employees (including yourself)
- Your place of business has temporarily closed or has reduced hours due to COVID-19
- You live and have a business in an eligible town (listed above).
- The business owner’s family income falls within income guidelines (if more than 1 owner, each owners family income must be below 80% AMI) See application for income limits.
You are NOT eligible if:
- You have a not-for profit business
- Business owner’s family income is above 80% AMI income level
- Business owner does not live within in an eligible town
- You have received emergency funding through another source for the purposes for which you are applying
- Assistance is for one of the following types of businesses: real estate rentals/sales, owned by a person under age 18, businesses that are chains, liquor stores, tobacco sales, pawn shops, weapons/firearms dealers, lobbyists or cannabis related businesses, adult entertainment or social clubs.
List of Required Documents:
This is a list of the anticipated documents applicants will need to submit in order to be considered for financial assistance.
- Completed Application
- Copy of most recent tax returns
- Current Profit and Loss statement
These additional documents may be needed due to individual circumstances.
- 6 months recent bank statements
- Pay stubs for household members over the age of 18
- Investment income documentation
- Child support received, if applicable