WHATELY — The Selectboard voted unanimously to partner with Greenfield in its application for state funding that would provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Town Administrator Brian Domina said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding would provide up to $10,000 to micro-enterprises, or business with five or fewer employees.
The state is encouraging regional applications, Domina said at a Selectboard meeting last week, and Greenfield has invited the Selectboards of each of the other 25 towns in Franklin County to join in their application.
According to a draft version of the grant application, the goal of the program is to make funds available to businesses to “tide them over” during the pandemic until they are able to access the other programs or restore revenue streams and cash flow for their small businesses.
“The application is due sometime in early June,” Domina said, “but the money, assuming it’s awarded, isn’t going to be available until August.”
Still, he said, he doesn’t think the town could offer this kind of service otherwise.
Reach Mary Byrne at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbyrne@recorder.com.