Thank you for your interest in the Small Business CARES Grant. Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting applications at this time.

In 2020, the City of Dayton created a grant program to help first-floor small businesses during the COVID-19 health crisis. Over $300,000 was distributed to 31 businesses from across the City with 39% awarded to minority-owned businesses and 58% to women-owned.

The Small Business Capital Grant program offered financial support to local businesses as they installed additional exterior spaces and altered interior customer areas. Business needs supported included building materials, permanent or temporary seating, and furnishings/fixtures.

Eligible businesses had to be located within the Dayton city limits and could not be part of a national chain. Street-level retailers, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, salons, barbers, and other personal services were some of the small businesses that were awarded grant funds.

Grants of $500 to $15,000 were awarded, with the average grant totaling just under $10,000. The application period was open from Aug. 26 and continued through Sept. 25.

For more information about the program’s application process, you can read the full program description and application information and review the program's FAQs.