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NORTH MIAMI, FL. – (March 30, 2020) – To assist businesses during the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA) is creating two emergency relief grant programs for North Miami businesses that have been severely impacted and are facing challenging times during this ongoing crisis. Consisting of two separate programs, the Emergency Relief for Essential Business Program will provide (25) twentyfive North Miami businesses with grants up to $1,000 each and the other program, titled the Emergency Relief to Jump Start Businesses, will allow 120 North Miami small businesses to receive up to $5,000 to jump start their operations.

Available immediately, the first program titled The Emergency Relief for Essential Businesses Program is for eligible existing small businesses deemed essential by Miami-Dade County and the City of North Miami Offices of Emergency Management. This is a one-time, $1,000 grant for (25) twenty-five NMCRA businesses for the purchase of inventory to continue limited operations during this public health emergency. First, 25 businesses will receive this grant, then the second group of 25 businesses can receive funding once the Board grants their approval for the program to be extended to more businesses. Examples of eligible uses are inventory needed to cook and sell food; gasoline, propane gas for cooking, delivery services; and other services or items necessary to continue to operate.

Available once the Board approves it, the second emergency relief program, the Emergency Relief to Jump Start Businesses, will provide businesses with grants up to $5,000 for future operational expenses: rent, payroll, communications, etc. It will come into effect once the disaster declaration has been lifted and the Board of the NMCRA approves it. Candidates must have applied for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan and Florida Disaster Loan, so document proof of the application with receipt is necessary.