City approves second round of small business grants

The Montgomery City Council on Monday approved a second round of emergency grants for small businesses during the pandemic.

The grants will be for $750 each and will be available for qualified businesses that are deemed essential and are experiencing a reduction in business and hardship.

The approval came on the recommendation by the Economic Development Authority (EDA). City Administrator Brian Heck said 18 businesses shuttered due to Governor Tim Walz’s Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-08 met the criteria for the first round of grants of $1,000 each. Those businesses that were required to close included bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, coffee shops, cafés, barbershops and hair salons, and other businesses where there is significant contact or places of public gathering.

Heck said the city received 30 applications when the first round was announced two weeks ago. He and city planner Leah Petricka reviewed the applications and determined 12 applications were classified as essential businesses as defined by Walz’s order and not forced to close.

Those applications were reviewed by the EDA, whose members felt those essential businesses financially impacted by the pandemic, should also receive some assistance if they qualify.

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