In Minnesota, we know that every business is essential to the people that work there. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate has been fighting to keep small businesses running by providing relief for this vital part of our economy. In December, the legislature passed $216.8 million in grants to be allocated to businesses affected by the closures, providing a lifeline to help re-open when it is safe to do so.

Part of this assistance will be county-distributed relief, meaning counties allocate their money to businesses either directly or indirectly impacted by the executive orders that closed them down. We all know that one-size-fits-all policymaking does not work, so I am relieved to see the power leaving one man in Saint Paul and be passed on to our local officials at the county level.

To learn more about whether or not your business is eligible for the relief grants, please visit the DEED website. Sherburne County businesses can apply here and those in Hennepin County can find more information here.