Recognizing the urgent need for small business relief, we have committed $600,000 to the We Care RVA Rebuild Fund to help small, women- and minority-owned businesses. The Metropolitan Business League, who will be administering this fund, recently awarded $250k in grant funding to 55 local businesses.

These grants will help support these businesses as they recover from the impacts of Covid-19 and the social justice demonstrations that occurred in Richmond earlier this year. The first round of funds have been disbursed, helping many small businesses that haven't been able to access federal assistance programs.

Additional support is being made available to the grant applicants, to include small business coaching, professional counseling and technical assistance. The selection committee for the disbursement of the fund consists of city leaders and investors. They have reviewed over 150 qualified applications, selecting 55 grant recipients in this first round.

"Our business was ransacked during the social justice demonstrations. After being closed for almost five months but still required to pay rent and utilities, we are so grateful for the support and the $10,000 grant awarded through the We Care RVA Rebuild grant. Every single penny we can get is so valuable," says Abbas Jahangiri, owner of the Coliseum Loft Deli & Market. Grant recipients can use the funds to pay rent, utility bills, supplies, inventory and other operating expenses.

Some of the other $10,000 grant recipients include 68 Home, Alchemy Coffee, The Canal Club, Girls For A Change, OAXACA, Refuge for Men, Richmond Dentistry for Children, Waller & Company Jewelers and Urban Hang Suite. All other grants were valued at $2,500 and $5,000.