Anoka Times

Anoka County businesses and nonprofits in need of assistance still have the chance to receive up to $10,000 in grant funding.

"Realizing that these grants can still help many people affected by COVID-19 in Anoka County, the Board of Commissioners decided to approve expansion of the program," Scott Schulte, board chair, said in a release for Anoka County.

The county recently extended the deadline for the business and nonprofit relief grant program. Applications will now be accepted through Friday, Sept. 18. It's an additional 10-day window to apply.

In order to maximize the number of qualified grant recipients, the county has also changed the stipulations for prospective applicants. For businesses, the alterations include: Increasing the maximum number of employees from 50 total to what would be equal to 50-full time workers, reducing the time a business was open prior to the start of the pandemic to six months. 

Nonprofits who've received more than one CARES Act grant, as long as the money was used for different expenditures, can also apply. Even those who've already received a grant from the county are eligible as long as it's to pay for a different bill. 

A full list of prerequisites can be found here.

Schulte believes these changes could enable additional business and nonprofits to "take advantage of this resource."

Applications must be filled out online. In order to qualify to receive this financial help, business and organizations have to have a physical location in the county and be owned and operated locally. The website offers additional information on applying for the grant. Additional questions about the grant, application, or for help on completing the application, can be sent to accovidrelief@mccd.org or jacquel.hajder@co.anoka.mn.us.