[Last Updated: 1/15/2021 at 11:35 a.m.]
Get the latest local and state information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Business Assistance: Scroll down for information on the new MicroEnterprise Stabilization Grant Program.
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See also: COVID-19 Resources
MicroEnterprise Stabilization Grant Program for Small Businesses Adversely Impacted by COVID-19
Contact: Debra Page-Trim, Economic Development Officer and Spencer Trust Administrator
Phone: (401) 247-1900 x365
Email: dpagetrim@barrington.ri.gov
Download MicroE Contract with State
The Town of Barrington has joined other Rhode Island communities in launching a Microenterprise (MicroE) Stabilization Grant Program offering working capital grants to qualifying small business microenterprises adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Grants totaling up to $5,000 are available to each approved applicant in a single lump-sum payment. Barrington has access to a total of $50,000 for MicroE grants. No Town funds are involved. All of the funding is from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program made available through the Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development.
“We recognize that small businesses in Barrington are suffering from the COVID-19 restrictions” said Town Manager, Jim Cunha. “We hope that the Microenterprise Stabilization Grant (MicroE) Program can bring some relief to our business community. We should all remember to shop Barrington!”
Applications are being accepted now. As funding is limited, priority will be given to those qualifying microenterprises with the greatest number of employees and who have been in operation the longest.
For the purposes of the grant program, a microenterprise is a commercial enterprise that has five (5) or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the enterprise. The microenterprise owner’s gross annual family income may not exceed the applicable threshold, based on family size and city/town where you live (not where your business is located). The business must be physically located in Barrington.
Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, and utilities. MicroE funds may not be used for major equipment purchases, purchase of real property, construction activities, business expansion, or lobbying.
The first step is to contact the Town of Barrington’s Economic Development Officer at 247-1900 x365 (or dpagetrim@barrington.ri.gov) to discuss whether your business might qualify for assistance. Potential applicants then will need to complete a phone interview with Town staff to determine program eligibility.
[Note - the process has been revised (as of 4/30/20) as described below:]
Applicants that have successfully completed the phone screening will be notified by the Town by email of the completion of this step. Upon completion of the phone screening, the Town will refer each applicant to LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Rhode Island for processing. While funding is available, grants will be awarded to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis in the order they are referred by the Town to LISC, subject to processing by LISC.
The Town will notify applicants as to the status of their applications at LISC – whether tentative approval has been granted; more information is needed; or the applicant has been determined to be ineligible Applicants that receive tentative approval from LISC will need to enter into a business-municipality contract to receive the grant. Successful applicants will be required to submit quarterly reports for one year.
Program Documentation for Interested Applicants: