Gov. Baker Announces 1,158 Mass. Small Businesses Will Receive Grants

Governor Charlie Baker announced 1,158 Massachusetts small businesses will be receiving grants from the state through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) on Monday (December 21) amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“These grants prioritize businesses owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs and those that did not or were unable to access the federal paycheck protection program or other federal or state aid,” Baker said via CBS Boston. “One-hundred percent of the recipients are minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, or owned by individuals with disabilities.”

Baker said more than 10,000 small businesses applied for the grant and the funds for the first round didn't cover all of those who applied.

This year's budget includes an additional 17.5 million to the MGCC for small business relief, as well as $9 million for small business technical assistance and grants, CBS Boston reports. Baker said MGCC will reevaluate the applicant pool when deciding which businesses will be given the second round of grants in the near future.

“Obviously the list of businesses that need our help keeps growing,” said the governor. “That’s why last week we filed a supplemental budget that contains another $50 million in additional funding for small businesses, including 17.5 million for this particular grant program.”

The Massachusetts Health Department reported 4,162 new cases and 60 deaths in relation to COVID-19 during a 24-hour span on Sunday, which equaled to a 5.76% seven-day weighted average of positive tests, CBS Boston reports.

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