Extra $5,000 grants available for COVID-affected restaurants, grocers
An extra $5,000 will be available to help pandemic-affected restaurants and groceries that already have received similar grants from the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE).
The agency made the change on Wednesday, Jan. 6, to its Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED) Grant program.
The Four Way restaurant in June received a $5,000 grant from the Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis and Shelby County. (Daily Memphian file)
Meanwhile, first-time applicants for NEED Grants may still qualify for a grant of $5,000 to $10,000, according to a statement released by the EDGE staff.
Locally owned restaurants and groceries that already received a NEED Grant but have been further affected by recent restrictions from the Shelby County Health Department may qualify for another $5,000.
As of Wednesday, EDGE has awarded $811,700 to 146 businesses, 84% of which are minority/women-owned businesses, the release states.
“It’s clear as this pandemic continues that absent some sort of help, survival rates for these businesses could drop significantly,” Reid Dulberger said in the release. He is the EDGE president and chief executive.
“As they deal with reduced capacity and lost revenue, this additional assistance can provide a much-needed lifeline to help offset operational costs so they can focus on keeping their doors open,” he said.
The amended policy states:
“Bars, restaurants and locally owned grocery stores that have received previous EDGE NEED Grant awards before January 1, 2021, and were further affected by subsequent Shelby County Health Department Directives after the recipient’s initial NEED Grant approval may qualify for a fixed additional grant amount of $5,000.”
Eligible businesses can apply and find more information at needgrant.org.
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Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) COVIDTom Bailey
Tom Bailey retired in January as a business reporter at The Daily Memphian, and after 40 years in journalism. A Tupelo, Mississippi, native, he graduated from Mississippi State University. He has lived in Midtown for 36 years.
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