Nashville businesses and music venues that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic will now be eligible for federal funding.
Mayor John Cooper announced the Metro Council approved plans this week to provide direct assistance to community partners, FOX 17 News reports.
Those funds will include $2 million of the federal relief aid distributed to direct grants for small businesses and another $2 million toward live music venues, Cooper confirmed during his press conference Thursday.
Metro Nashville transitioned back into Phase 3 of Mayor Cooper's reopening plan last week ago. On Thursday, the Metro Health Department reported 135 new COVID-19 cases during a 24-hour span, giving Davidson County a total of 29,695, which includes 1,131 active cases.
Phase 3 of Metro Nashville's reopening plan allows venues to hold events with a 30% capacity or 500 people with required approval from the city, otherwise attendance is limited to 25 individuals.
Mayor Cooper said city officials will continue to keep the public healthy and safe, which will begin with aiding small businesses.
"Small businesses are a big part of what makes Nashville so great," Mayor Cooper said. "They are vital to our community."
Additionally, $1.5 million of the CARES Act funds will be distributed to other programs supporting small programs, Mayor Cooper confirmed.
Local Nashville business owners can apply for assistance here.
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