Grants offered to Johnson County small businesses

IOWA CITY — A collaboration between Greater Iowa City Inc., South of 6 and the Community Foundation of Johnson County is offering up to $20,000 in grant funding to eligible small businesses in Johnson County.

The program is funded by $500,000 from the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded Johnson County.

The grants — ranging from $3,500 to $20,000 — will be distributed in three rounds, with a Jan. 31 application deadline for the first round. Grants will be announced in the spring.

The grant money can be used for operational support or storefront improvements.

“We want to ensure that the small business owners who have been traditionally underrepresented have an opportunity to get the support they need. This grant helps them rebuild and move forward stronger,” Maurice Davis, executive director of the South of 6 Business District, said in a news release.

To be eligible, businesses must demonstrate they were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have 50 percent ownership from an underserved group. Those groups include women, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, refugees or other minority groups.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com