The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is offering $500,000 in grants to help the borough’s struggling businesses as the city enters Phase Two of reopening in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The grants include money to supply businesses with essential personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, contactless payment technology, and face shields, officials said, as well as funds for cleaning and sanitization services.
“This new grant program won’t just keep staff and customers safe as local small businesses resume normal operations, it will also defray costs for necessary items like masks, gloves, and cleaning supplies,” said Borough President Eric Adams.
Brooklyn businesses can apply for a grant amount dependent on the size of their employee base and the estimated costs for three months of personal protective equipment — which equals roughly $600 per employee, according to the Chamber.
Phase Two, which began on June 22, is the most significant step the city has taken towards reopening so far — allowing for restaurants and bars to open for outdoor seating, non-essential retail shops to allow shoppers inside, and barbershops and salons to resume operations.
“Businesses that have been crushed by COVID-19 are eager to reopen their doors and welcome back customers,” said Chamber President Randy Peers. “These grants reduce the potential of a second COVID-19 wave that could further devastate our neighborhoods.”
The chamber also launched the Bring Back Brooklyn Fund amid the pandemic, which raised over $228,000 for struggling businesses hoping to reopen post-shutdown.
Business owners can apply for PPE grants here.
