All Relief Grant recipients to receive 20 percent bonus; hospitality businesses will receive 50 percent bonus; $10 million for Arts organizations

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Monday announced a new round of relief funding – $26 million to support small businesses most affected by COVID-19 restrictions.

The DE Relief Grant program – funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – has supported roughly 3,000 Delaware businesses throughout the COVID-19 crisis with more than $180 million in grants.

Also on Monday, Governor Carney and the Delaware Department of State announced $10 million in relief funding for Delaware arts organizations. The State of Delaware will provide $5 million, with another $5 million in matching contributions.

“Small businesses continue to make sacrifices that will help get us through this crisis, and beat COVID-19. We owe them our support,” said Governor Carney. “Hope is on the way with the vaccine. But we continue to face a difficult winter. Let’s do what works. Wear a mask. Don’t gather with friends or family outside your household. Stay vigilant and we’ll get through this.”

The additional funding announced on Monday will provide a bonus of 20 percent for all DE Relief Grant recipients. Hospitality businesses, including restaurants and bars, will receive an additional 30 percent bonus, bringing their total bonus award to 50 percent of the value of their original grant. This is the third time that a bonus award has been given to grant recipients, though this is the first award that has gone to all recipients; previous bonuses focused on particularly hard hit industries.

Relief funding for not-for-profit arts organizations will cover 35 percent of those organizations’ 2019 operating expenses, up to $300,000.  

“The arts are a critical sector of the Delaware economy, and one we can’t replace. Arts organizations have been very hard hit by the pandemic. This funding will help them survive through the winter,” said Governor Carney. “I want to thank Delaware’s philanthropic community, particularly Tatiana and Gerret Copeland and the Longwood Foundation, for leading the way in matching these CARES Act funds.”

The federal government is currently discussing a new stimulus package that may lead to changes in the states assistance programs for businesses, allowing assistance to be provided into the new year. Businesses that want to stay updated on this can visit delbiz.com/relief, where any updates to the DE Relief Grant program will be announced.

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Delaware Division of Small Business and Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Announce Partnership

Dover, DE (Nov. 18, 2020) – More small businesses will have help in applying for DE Relief Grants through a new relationship between the Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) and the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC).

The two organizations have formed a partnership under which the Chamber will assist small businesses in applying for DE Relief Grants, a key economic relief program administered by the Division of Small Business.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership,” said Ayanna Khan, DEBCC President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to increase the number of minority-owned businesses applying and approved for DE Relief Grants. This will advance the Chamber’s mission to serve the needs of minority-owned businesses across Delaware, provide economic opportunity and support to business owners as well as to the communities they serve.”

Through Nov. 12, 1,904 applicants had accepted and/or been approved for more than $61 million in grants, with requests for another $31.2 million undergoing the review process.

The median grant award has been a little more than $20,000. The typical recipient had a median annual 2019 gross revenue of just under $500,000.

“DE Relief Grants have been a source of vital financial assistance to Delaware small business owners,” said Division of Small Business Director Damian DeStefano. “The Division’s partnership with the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce will ensure that more small businesses, particularly those we know have been hit hardest by COVID-19, such as minority-owned firms and microenterprises, have access to the assistance they need to secure the most relief funding possible.”

DE Relief Grants are a joint effort between the state of Delaware and New Castle County. Under the rules of the federal CARES Act, from which the program money comes, the State and County must use available funds by Dec. 31, 2020.

Applications for the current round of grants are due by December 4, which provides time for all applications to be reviewed and funds to be dispersed prior to the end of the year.

Information about DE Relief Grants can be found at delbiz.com/relief, including an extensive Q&A document, demonstration videos and a full explanation of eligible expenses.

Business owners interested in assistance from the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce can email the Chamber at email@debcc.org or call (302) 709-1708.

About the Division of Small Business
The Division of Small Business is focused on making Delaware the number one state in the nation to start and grow a small business. We provide support to businesses of fewer than 100 employees to help them maximize their potential. Small businesses account for 98 percent of businesses in Delaware and employ 55 percent of Delaware’s workforce. To help them succeed, the Division offers grant and loan programs and customized services and support, ranging from assistance navigating governmental regulations to connecting them to an extensive network of resource partners.  For more information visit delbiz.com

About the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce

The DEBCC works to ensure that minority and other disadvantaged entrepreneurs are not left behind due to a lack of support to help them achieve success. The DEBCC provides the necessary assistance and support systems to ensure that minority-owned businesses advance their economic footprint across Delaware. DEBCC serves as a vital hub for connecting minority business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources needed to assist them in growing their enterprise and creating new economic opportunities and job growth throughout the First State.  Most importantly, the DEBCC is an all inclusive Chamber, dedicated to economic advancement and equality for all. For more information visit www.DEBCC.org

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DOVER – Eligible Delaware small businesses and nonprofits will have until December 4, 2020 to apply for a DE Relief Grant, the Delaware Division of Small Business announced Thursday.

DE Relief Grants are a joint effort between the state of Delaware and New Castle County, administered by the Delaware Division of Small Business. Under the rules of the federal CARES Act, from which the program money comes, the State and County must use available funds by Dec. 31, 2020. The application deadline of December 4 provides time for all applications to be reviewed and funds to be dispersed prior to the end of the year.

The third application round of the $150-million program officially opened last week. In the third round even more businesses are eligible for funds.

Small businesses no longer need to demonstrate a revenue decline of at least 7.5 percent from 2019 to 2020 but instead simply any decrease in revenue, regardless of size. And businesses that received PPP funding of more than $1 million are now eligible as well.

Approved applicants in disproportionately impacted industries will be receiving a 15% bonus allocation in the coming weeks. This bonus will apply to those who have already received grants and those who receive them going forward in a qualifying industry.

To this point, 1,904 applicants have accepted and/or been approved for more than $61 million in grants, with requests for another $31.2 million currently undergoing the review process.

The median grant award has been a little more than $20,000. The typical recipient had a median annual 2019 gross revenue of just under $500,000.

• Microenterprises (fewer than 10 FTE) make up 72% of grant recipients and have received 47% of the total funding – $28.8 million
  • More than half of that went to businesses with fewer than 5 FTE – $15.4 million
• 77% of funding has gone to businesses in disproportionately impacted industries, including restaurants, retail, personal care, childcare, etc. – $47.3 million
• Nearly a quarter of funding has gone to women owned businesses – $15.2 million
• 17% of funding has gone to minority-owned businesses – $10.5 million
• Grant recipients come from each of Delaware’s three counties:

As a reminder, businesses and nonprofits that are applying should make sure to:

• Provide their entire federal 2019 tax return (requirement may be different for nonprofits)
• Submit their current State of Delaware business license
• Confirm their expenses are eligible
• Triple check their application for accuracy before submitting

Due to the positive response from so many businesses, the Division’s application helpline will stay open through the end of the application period from 8:30 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Applicants can call 302-672-6816 for assistance from one of DSB’s regional business managers.

Numerous additional resources can be found at delbiz.com/relief, including an extensive Q&A document, demonstration videos and a full explanation of eligible expenses.

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Media contact
Michael Chesney
Division of Small Business
(302) 943-9508
Michael.Chesney@delaware.gov

Agreement with New Castle County also expands rapid workforce development program

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced an expansion of Delaware’s DE Relief program, which provides direct grants to Delaware small businesses, and the Rapid Workforce Training and Redeployment Initiative, which provides rapid re-training for Delawareans who have lost jobs or income due to the COVID-19 crisis.

New Castle County has provided additional funding for both programs from its allocation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. With the expansion, $150 million is available in direct grant assistance for Delaware small businesses. The workforce training program, created by Executive Order #43, is funded with $15 million in CARES Act funding from the State of Delaware and New Castle County.

“We remain focused on supporting the Delaware small businesses, workers and families most affected by this COVID-19 crisis,” said Governor Carney. “Our continued partnership with New Castle County will help us get more support to more Delawareans. That could not be more critical. This additional funding will help get Delaware small businesses through this challenging time, and get Delaware workers trained for jobs currently in demand in our economy.”

Hundreds of Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations have already been approved for the first round of DE Relief grants – the largest cumulative grant award ever made by the State of Delaware to small businesses. A total of 741 applicants will share $25.7 million in funding through the first round of the program. DE Relief grants are administered by the Delaware Division of Small Business.

The second funding round opened on October 1.

“Since day one, small businesses have been severely impacted by the burden of COVID-19,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “I am pleased with Governor Carney’s decision to increase funding for DE Relief Small Business Program and proud New Castle County continues to partner with the state to make vital investments at this critical time. As we continue to find a way out of this pandemic, I encourage Delawareans to continue to support local businesses in any way we can.”

Learn more about the DE Relief program and apply for assistance.

Learn more about Delaware’s Rapid Workforce Training and Redeployment Initiative.

Learn more about Delaware’s COVID-19 initiatives to support Delaware families, workers, and businesses.

Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business re-openings or operations as businesses re-open should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov. 

Individuals with questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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