Municipal Small Business Grant Program

As of 5:00 pm, December 30, 2020 the Small Business Grant Program has closed.

All program funds have been earmarked for applications currently in the queue. If you are a wait-list applicant who submitted an application between December 17 and December 30, you will be contacted should additional funds become available.

The Meridian City Council has designated $1 million from the City’s CARES Act funding to provide grants to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Qualifying businesses and organizations can receive up to $15,000 in the form of reimbursements for eligible incurred COVID-19 related expenses. Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligible Businesses

Number of Employees* Application Date
100 or fewer September 30, 2020
101-250 October 21, 2020
251-500 November 4, 2020

* full time equivalent employees


Eligible Expenses

The State of Idaho identifies the following eligible expenses that are necessary COVID-19 related expenditures not accounted for in operating budgets as of March 27, 2020. Grants may be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures, incurred between June 20 and December 30, 2020 and not previously reimbursed by other State and Federal CARES Act programs or insurance, which may include:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Inventory
  • Equipment
  • Now eligible:
    • Rent
    • Utilities (pursuant to Federal regulations, City of Meridian utility costs are not eligible for reimbursement)


Prepare to Apply

  1. Review the Meridian Municipal Small Business Grant Program Criteria thoroughly to determine if you’re eligible
  2. Complete the IDA-20 form and save to easily access when your application period opens
  3. Compile eligible expense documentation including proof of payment in a single PDF. If requesting rent reimbursement, include an executed lease agreement
  4. Set a reminder for the date and time your application period opens, have your EIN number ready, complete the online application, and upload all required documentation in PDF format
  5. Review the Application Instructions which will guide you through the online application portal


For more information, contact smallbusinessgrants@meridiancity.org or 208-489-0537.


FAQ

A: To be eligible for MMSBG funds, a business must have a physical presence within Meridian city limits.
A: Grant funding is available for reimbursement of expenses attributed to operational impacts and facilities within Meridian city limits.
A: No. Mortgages are considered debt and not eligible for reimbursement.
A: Eligible applicants may receive up to $15,000 for reimbursement for eligible expenses. Some applications may be awarded less than $15,000, and some may be awarded the full $15,000, depending on the application.
A: Yes, provided that the reimbursement you are seeking is for purposes for which you have not received other COVID-19 grant funding.
A: Yes, provided that the reimbursement you are seeking is for purposes for which you have not received other COVID-19 grant funding.
A: No. Grant funding is available for reimbursement of funds already spent.
A: If you are unable to complete the application online, please contact the City of Meridian’s Economic Development Department at smallbusinessgrants@meridiancity.org, or (208)489-0537.


This grant is made possible through the work of Governor Brad Little, State Controller Brandon Woolf, the Association of Idaho Cities and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Governor’s Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee created this grant to help local businesses affected by the COVID-190 pandemic, enabling cities to provide aid within their communities.