Thirty-two small businesses in Brainerd received $90,000 worth of small business relief grants from the Brainerd Economic Development Authority to pay essential business expenses and/or to invest in equipment to protect the health and safety of customers.
“Like many downtown Brainerd businesses, I have seen my sales numbers drop as we all do our part to social distance and have had to make the hard decision to close parts of my business that were large parts of my revenue stream,” Knotty Pine Bakery owner Marie Kirsch stated in a news release. “With the help of this small business grant, I will be able to use the funds towards health and safety measures that will help protect both customers and staff to ensure we can stay up and running for the long run.”
The grant’s funds come from the city’s economic development fund.
Selected applicants were considered based on eligibility criteria in the order of receipt of the applications.
“The City of Brainerd and the Brainerd EDA have always been dedicated to enhancing Brainerd’s economic vitality, and, especially during this difficult time for so many of Brainerd’s businesses, to provide needed aid to the small businesses that make up the character and uniqueness of Brainerd,” a news release from the city stated.
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Grant funds will assist locally owned and operated businesses to purchase safety equipment and modifications to comply with current and future guidance from the state of Minnesota as well as to pay critical business expenses that cannot be paid as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our hope is that these grant funds help small businesses within the city of Brainerd to purchase the necessary equipment or make modifications to comply with the state of MN guidance to reopen safely,” stated Yvette Campbell, EDA vice chair, in the release. “Having been closed for several weeks, many of these small businesses don’t have the resources to complete these next steps and may have been contemplating closing permanently. The EDA recognizes the importance of small business to our city’s economy.”
The EDA will request an additional $23,500 from the city council June 15 to fund the eight remaining eligible applications.
Businesses awarded grants include: Minnesota Makerspace, O’ Neary’s Irish Pub, 612 Station, Purple Fern Bath Co., Open City Thrift, Music General, 9th Street Social Club, Knotty Pine Bakery, CatTale’s Books & Gifts, Dragon Forge Games, Sage on Laurel, Elysium Hair Studio, Lakes Vape & Rec Supply, Belle Creations, Front Street Cafe, Bargains on 7th, Bridge of Harmony, Northwind Grille, The Fold, Vapor North, SE’z, The Gallery, Hair It Is, The Parlor, The Barn, Creative Corner, Parlor Hair Salon, Shep’s on 6th, Mickey’s Pizza & Subs, Strength Studio, Hair & Beyond, and North Country Floral.
For more information, email Jennifer Bergman at jbergman@ci.brainerd.mn.us or David Chanski at dchanski@ci.brainerd.mn.us .
