Montgomery, Ala. – June 5, 2020 – Today, the Recover Together Small Business Relief Fund awarded nearly $70,000 to 22 local small businesses in its first round of funding. The purpose of the Small Business Relief Fund is to provide working capital to local small businesses as they work to continue or resume operations following COVID-19-related impacts. Over 450 applications have been received since the application window opened on June 1 and the Relief Fund will continue to accept applications through June 15. Additional funding rounds will be announced moving into next week.
“We have received a tremendous response from our local businesses thus far,” says Chamber Foundation Chairman Willie Durham. “Starting with these 22 first-round recipients today, it is our hope that these supplemental funds will help our local businesses get through the next days and weeks as we work to recover together from the many challenges of COVID-19.”
Additional funding is needed in order to meet the current demand and the Small Business Relief Fund is actively seeking donations. The relief fund is administered through the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s 501(c)3 charitable foundation, which contributed an initial $100,000 in seed funding and has been further supported through donations from a range of entities, including local businesses. Recipients are selected by a committee composed of business and community leaders.
To apply or donate, please visit www.recovermgm.com.
The Small Business Relief Fund is one of several initiatives resulting from the collaborative efforts of Mayor Steven L. Reed’s Economic Impact Task Force, which is co-chaired by Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean and City Council President Charles Jinright. Like the Recover Together Small Business Hub, launched on April 29, the Small Business Relief Fund provides an avenue for multiple community partners to work together to support Montgomery’s small businesses during these difficult and uncertain times. Small businesses in need of direct assistance may contact the hub at any time by calling 334-226-7529 or visiting www.recovermgm.com.
For more information about growing a business in Montgomery, visit www.montgomerychamber.com.
Editor’s Note: For video content supporting the Recover Together Campaign and Small Business Relief Fund, visit https://bit.ly/RecoverTogethervids.
ABOUT THE MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
With a mission to create jobs and a better quality of life in Montgomery and the River Region, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is a full spectrum economic development corporation representing 1,700 organizations and business and more than 80,000 employees throughout Montgomery and the River Region. The Montgomery Chamber is an innovative, consolidated organization that addresses destination tourism, economic development, business development, workforce development, and community strategies under one umbrella, linking the public and private sector around a shared vision and providing tremendous value to its investors.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Meg Lewis
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
mlewis@montgomerychamber.com
(334) 261-1104
