Grant Funding Available Now for Middle Peninsula Businesses Recovering from Impacts of COVID-19

In recognition of the hardships businesses on the Middle Peninsula have suffered as a result of the restrictions imposed to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, in partnership with the local governments of the region, has launched its Back to Business grant program.

Back to Business Middle Peninsula grants are available to assist impacted businesses by covering a portion of the increased costs incurred in response to social distancing and compliance with the new health and safety requirements put in place to reopen.

“The elected officials of the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission take the responsibility to assist those businesses in need as a core responsibility of the Commission’s work,” said Lewie Lawrence, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Executive Director.

The grant program, funded by local governments thanks to allocations from the federal CARES Act, is designed to reimburse the increased cost of changed business practices that have been spent in response to the pandemic, but not cover the normal cost of operating the business.

Gloucester-based businesses only can also request assistance for past due rent or mortgage payments.

Grant applications can be submitted online at www.b2bmidpen.com.

Businesses in the following localities are eligible to apply: Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Essex, King and Queen, and the Towns of Tappahannock, Urbanna and West Point.

“This program is a prime example of what makes our region so unique and how rural coastal Virginia can come together to support its residents and business owners,” Lawrence said. “Some businesses have had to close while others have significantly modified their operations. By coming together as a region to support businesses we are able to help get grant funds into the hands of businesses more efficiently so our entire region can lead the way in recovery.”

Businesses applying should read the eligibility requirements on the web site thoroughly, Lawrence said, and be prepared to submit various documents to support their application.

Supporting documents required include, but may not be limited to, a current 2020 copy of business license, receipts for items purchased with explanation of why the purchase was made to help continue operations during the pandemic, and photos of the items purchased.

Questions about the program or to request support in filling out the application should be directed to the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission at 804-758-2311 or via email to dmantell@mppdc.com.

ABOUT THE MIDDLE PENINSULA PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) is one of 21 planning commissions in Virginia charged with promoting the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements of the district by planning, and encouraging and assisting localities to plan, for the future.

The MPPDC is comprised of the six counties (Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, and Middlesex) and three towns (Tappahannock, Urbanna, and West Point) on the Middle Peninsula.

Commissioners are appointed by each locality and consist of two elected and one citizen member for each county and one elected member for each town. Three county administrators and one town manager serve on the Commission on a rotating basis. The Executive Director/Secretary, selected by the Commission, manages the daily operations of the planning district's professional staff.

MPPDC is funded by annual contributions from its member local governments, by appropriations from the Virginia General Assembly, and by grants from state and federal governments and other entities.

MPPDC prepares an annual work program and budget each year determined by the needs and priorities of the region and available funding opportunities.

For more information about the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, contact Lewie Lawrence at llawrence@mppdc.com or 804-758-2311.