BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Charities, faith-based organizations, other nonprofit agencies, and small businesses can start submitting applications Monday, August 16, 2021, for grants of up to $25,000 in coronavirus relief aid set aside by state lawmakers.

The Louisiana Small Business COVID grant is administered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The $10 million grant program, created by lawmakers earlier this year and financed with federal pandemic assistance. Application information and eligibility guidelines will be available online at www.revenue.louisiana.gov.

How should you use the Louisiana Small Business COVID Grant?

Nonprofits must use the money to offer aid to communities impacted by the COVID-19 illness caused by the coronavirus, with priority given to organizations providing food, job assistance, and education programs.

Who is eligible to apply for the Louisiana Small Business COVID Grant?

Small businesses, defined as having 50 or fewer full-time workers, must use the money for workforce development activities tied to economic damage caused by the pandemic.