The Local Initiative Support Corporation, a community-based non-profit, partnered with Verizon to open a grant program for small businesses.

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation sent out a press release Monday about the grant.

The grant is for $10,000 and is intended for small businesses who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A spokesman for the county agency said the program is nationwide, but “a couple of area businesses have gotten grants. The grant has been going since early April, so there have been a few rounds of grant funding.”

Businesses can use the grant money for business expenses, per the press release:

“Grants are for eligible small businesses across the US, particularly in historically underserved communities hit hard by the pandemic.”

Eligible expenses for the grant include:

• Paying rent and utilities
• Meeting payroll
• Paying outstanding debt to vendors
• Upgrading technology infrastructure
• Other immediate operational costs

Businesses interested in the grant can read the FAQ here, and apply here. Applications are due at 10:59 Central Time on February 9, 2021.

The local Economic Development Corporation is open to answer any questions or provide further resources.