Cambridge Announces New Small Business Relief Grant Program

The City of Cambridge announced the next round of small business relief grants today which will award over $2,000,000 to eligible Cambridge businesses. Earlier this year, the City offered grants to restaurants and night life venues and this grant program is open to businesses across multiple sectors.

The new Small Business Relief Grant program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide relief to local, non-franchise/chain businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses citywide will be able to apply for grant awards of $10,000 for allowable business expenses such as payroll, rent, personal protective equipment, utilities, inventory, and equipment. Applications will be accepted from May 9-31, 2022 and are available at www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/business.

“As we have done throughout the pandemic, I am proud of the City’s continued efforts to support Cambridge small businesses,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “This new grant program builds on the $2,500,000 in relief funds we made available to Cambridge restaurants and nightlife venues earlier this year, and I encourage all eligible businesses to apply.”

The Small Business Relief grants will be awarded based on criteria which will prioritize businesses owned by people of color, women, and other historically marginalized groups, businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and businesses in industries that have continued to see a severe decrease in sales from pre-pandemic levels.

“The uncertainty of the last two years has made operations difficult for our locally owned small businesses, and I am glad we are able to provide additional relief with these grants,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “This program shows Cambridge’s commitment to supporting small businesses and will prioritize some of the hardest hit businesses that have a long road to recovery.”

Cambridge businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are invited to apply. Businesses in the following industries are encouraged to apply.

• recreation (e.g. gyms, fitness studios, afterschool programs)
• personal services (e.g. spa, dry cleaners, barbershop)
• travel and event planning/production

For more information about eligibility, exclusions, and the application for these programs, please visit www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/business.

Those with questions or in need of assistance can call 617-349-4654 or email smallbizgrants@cambridgema.gov. Translation and interpretation services are available upon request.