COVID-19 Resources
2021 Business Relief Fund - Benton County Grants
The application period is now closed.
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.
Download the program guidelines here.
Download the executive order here.
2021 Business Relief - Minnesota Department of Revenue Grants
The Minnesota Department of Revenue will send COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to eligible businesses under a $216 million economic relief package signed into law December 16.
Eligible business owners do not need to take any action to receive this aid. As part of this package, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will make direct payments to certain eligible businesses. The State will also distribute funds to counties to provide further assistance to other local businesses.
Eligible Businesses
This program provides direct payments to businesses required to temporarily close or reduce services in November under Executive Order 20-99.
Businesses in the following categories — as reported by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program — may be eligible:
- Full- and limited-service restaurants
- Cafeterias and buffets
- Caterers
- Bars
- Breweries with taprooms
- Family wineries with tasting rooms
- Distilleries with tasting rooms
- Bowling centers
- Gyms and fitness centers
Program Requirements
The DOR will send payments to eligible businesses that meet the rest of the program requirements:
- Located in Minnesota
- Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
- Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
- Experienced a 30% drop in year-over-year taxable sales (April-September)
- Required to temporarily close or reduce services by Executive Order 20-99
Note: Annual sales tax filers are not eligible for this program.
Relief Payment Amounts
Eligible businesses will receive a payment based on their Unemployment Insurance data. The amount depends on their average number of employees for the period of November 1, 2019 – January 31, 2020. The payments are considered taxable income.
| EMPLOYEES (FULL AND PART-TIME) | PAYMENT AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 1 to 20 | $15,000 |
| 21 to 100 | $25,000 |
| 101 to 300 | $35,000 |
| 301 or more | $45,000 |
Eligible small businesses not in the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance system will receive $10,000.
Payment Process
- The DOR will use current tax and unemployment records to determine what businesses are eligible and the amount of their aid payment.
- They will notify eligible businesses though their e-Services account by December 31, 2020.
- The DOR will mail payments to eligible businesses in early-January 2021, to the main address on their Sales Tax account. Electronic payments are not available for this program.
Note: To verify your business addresses, log in to e-Services. For questions about your business category or number of employees, contact Minnesota Unemployment Insurance.
More Information
For questions about this program or your payment, email the DOR at withholding.tax@state.mn.us or call 651-282-9999.