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Gov. Baker Announces Grants For 1,158 Small Businesses Impacted By COVID-19

BOSTON (CBS) -- Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday 1,158 small businesses will be receiving grants from the state. The grants total $50.8 million coming from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC).

"These grants prioritize businesses owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs and those that did not or were unable to access the federal paycheck protection program or other federal or state aid," said Baker. "One-hundred percent of the recipients are minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, or owned by individuals with disabilities."

According to Baker, more than 10,000 small businesses applied. "The funds for the first round clearly didn't cover the ground associated with those who applied," he said.

This year's budget allotted an additional 17.5 million to the MGCC for small business relief. The budget also has $9 million for small business technical assistance and grants.

The MGCC will go back to the initial applicant pool to select businesses for the second round of grants soon, Baker said.

"Obviously the list of businesses that need our help keeps growing," said the governor. "That's why last week we filed a supplemental budget that contains another $50 million in additional funding for small businesses, including 17.5 million for this particular grant program."

On Sunday, there were 4,162 new coronavirus cases and 60 more deaths reported in Massachusetts. The seven-day weighted average of positive tests in Massachusetts is 5.78%.

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