Fairfield Businesses Hurt By Coronavirus Can Apply For Town Grant

FAIRFIELD, CT — A program to help small businesses in Fairfield affected by the coronavirus pandemic was established earlier this month, according to a town news release.

Fairfield set up the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program to provide direct financial assistance to eligible businesses with five or fewer employees.

"Small businesses are integral to the success of this community and it’s been a very challenging few months," First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in the news release. "It’s very important that we do all that we can to help our small business community navigate these uncertain times, and provide resources and support they need to enable businesses to safely re-open and return to profitability."

To be eligible, applicants must be a for-profit business physically located in Fairfield. The business must have been in operation and current on its federal, state and local tax obligations as of March 15 and must not have received, or been approved to receive, federal or state assistance for coronavirus relief.

Priority will be given to businesses that are owned by or have a majority of employees classified as people of low or moderate income. Income guidelines may be viewed at bit.ly/2Adr23e.

The program is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, and administered by the town's Department of Community & Economic Development.

Eligible businesses may apply for grants of up to $5,000. Funding is limited, and it is anticipated that average grants will range from $2,000 to $3,000. Applications will be accepted and grants awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

Fairfield small businesses are encouraged to visit fairfieldct.org/covidSBR to download and submit an application. A subcommittee of the Fairfield Economic Development Commission will review all applications received.

"We know that these past few months have been extremely challenging for many small businesses, and that a number of these businesses have been unable to access meaningfully any federal or state assistance programs," Community & Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart said in the news release. "We hope that this program will help fill those gaps, and provide assistance to those small businesses most in need so that they can respond to this pandemic."

For more information, visit fairfieldct.org/covidsbr, email cedoffice@fairfieldct.org or call 203-256-3120.