Deadline looming to apply for business recovery grant

RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - The deadline is approaching for North Carolina businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant Program (BRG).

Applications are due Wednesday, June 1. BRG will issue a one-time payment to eligible businesses that suffered an economic loss of at least 20 percent during the pandemic. BRG is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan. The N.C. Department of Revenue is administering the program.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the North Carolina economy, and the Business Recovery Grant Program is an important way for the state to support those that were impacted by the pandemic,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

As of May 27, the NCDOR has received more than 13,000 applications. Applicants must submit online applications before midnight on June 1. Paper applications must be received by the NCDOR at the location designated on the application on or before June 1.

“We encourage any eligible business that suffered financial setbacks during the pandemic to apply for these grants before the application deadline,” said NCDOR Secretary Ronald Penny. “Our goal is to provide every penny of the grant funds to these businesses to help them recover.”

Eligibility for grants has been expanded for Phase 2 of the BRG. In addition to COVID-impacted businesses in the hospitality industry such as restaurants and hotels, the BRG is open to all other industries. Additionally, a business that received other COVID-19 relief may now be eligible for a grant in Phase 2. A non-exhaustive list of businesses that may be eligible for a grant is below: