COVID-19 Business Resources

COVID-19 Header Graphic

Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns County Business Relief Grant Programs (2021)

Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties all have COVID-19 related business relief grants available at this time.

Scroll down to view the grant requirements for the County your business is located in.

Not sure what County your business is located in?  Click here to find out.

Benton County 2021 Business Relief Fund

Benton County Commissioners approved a new round of funding to offset business losses for qualifying businesses located in Benton County. Benton County is receiving approximately $787,399 from the State of Minnesota as part of the COVID-19 relief fund.  This new program is aimed at assisting Benton County small businesses (50 employees or less) with the costs of business interruption caused by required closures due to COVID-19.  It is the goal of Benton Economic Partnership to provide economic support to those suffering from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19-related business closures. Grants will be awarded to businesses located in Benton County who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses, Veteran Service Organizations and other nonprofits that have experienced significant financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic qualify. Benton County businesses that anticipate receiving a direct payment from the State, or have received previous grant from the county also qualify.  Qualifying businesses and nonprofits are eligible to receive up to $10,000.  Applications are being taken for these grant funds until January 29, 2021.  Click here to apply.

Stearns County Business 2021 Business & Non-Profit Relief Program

Stearns County will be receiving approximately $3 million to grant to businesses and non-profits, based on certain eligibility criteria. Funds awarded shall be used for operating expenses that were incurred during the shutdown; such as expenses for rent, mortgage, utilities, payments to suppliers, and other similar costs that occur in the regular course of business. The County may require business owners to provide proof that grant funds were used only for eligible expenses. Applications will open Monday, January 11, 2021 and will remain open until funds are all distributed.  Priority will be given to those impacted by Executive Order 2020-99 (November 2020) OR who experienced a 20% or more reduction in revenue in 2020 in comparison to 2019 AND did not receive direct payments from the State of Minnesota through the recent MN Business Relief Program.  Amounts of the grants will be based upon the need demonstrated on the Profit & Loss statement and the narrative within the application, but is expected to be limited to $15,000 per applicant.  A second round of funding will open to those with state or federal funding received that was insufficient to cover the pandemic impact on their entity. Amounts of Round 2 grants will be announced toward the end of January 2021. All grant amounts must be distributed by March 15, 2021.  Click here to apply. 

Sherburne County 2021 COVID-19 Business Relief Fund

Qualifying Sherburne County businesses can receive up to $10,000 in grant money to offset COVID-19 related losses under a plan approved December 29, 2020.  Businesses that receive direct aid from the State are eligible to receive up to $5,000. Businesses that do not receive direct aid from the State are eligible to receive up to $10,000. Applications are being taken for these grant funds until Jan. 22, 2021. Click here to apply.  

MN Department of Revenue 

Emergency Executive Orders

Employees

Career Resources

Unemployment Insurance

Employers

Accessing Voluntary Equipment for Safe Work Environments

African Development Center

CentraCare Health Systems

COVIDawareMN

Entrepreneur Fund

Xcel Energy

Initiative Foundation

MN Chamber of Commerce

MN Department of Employment & Economic Development (MNDEED) Resources

MN Department of Labor & Industry Resources

Printable Flyers

Private Sector Offers for Assistance

  • Businesses that can provide assistance, resources or equipment towards the fight against COVID-19 please e-mail hsem.ppp@state.mn.us 

Sherburne County

Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources

Social Distancing Guidance for Essential Retail Businesses

U.S. Department of Labor

Workplace Guidance

Stearns County Emergency Operation Center has published the following guidance: