![Small Businesses First to Get Stearns County CARES Act Funding](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/07/20190712_182139.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Small Businesses First to Get Stearns County CARES Act Funding
ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County is receiving $19.3-million from the federal CARES Act and the first phase of that funding will go to small businesses.
Stearns County is releasing up to $5-million for small companies directly and adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible businesses must have less than 50 employees, cannot receive funding from multiple sources, cannot be a chain, a pawnshop, sell tobacco, a gambling organization, a real estate agency or a rental company.
Of the approximately 8,400 small businesses in Stearns County, County Administrator Mike Williams estimates about 4,000 are eligible for these grants.
The grants will be between $500-$7,500 per eligible business.
The application window will be open for four weeks and will be disbursed through the Stearns County HRA.
Six small cities with a population of less than 200 will also be reimbursed for coronavirus expenses through this program.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
KEEP READING: 10 classic board games that will take you way back
More From AM 1240 WJON
![CARES Act Funding Helps Renovate Sartell Council Chambers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/01/Sartell-Council-Chambers-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Benton County Offering CARES Act Grants to Impacted Businesses](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/10/GettyImages-1321427.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park Considers Business Relief Grant With CARES Funding](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/11/Waite-Park-City-Hall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stearns History Museum’s John Decker; My Life [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-John-Decker-young.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Big Brothers Big Sisters Kicking Off Recruitment Campaign](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-2h-media-xGn1-bDVu8U-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St Cloud Drivers – Its a Roundabout – Not a 4-Way Stop](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2021/07/attachment-Roundabout.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![If You Like Odd Pizza Ingredients, This Might Be the Best in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/07/attachment-Zorbaz-Pizza-1.png?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud Man Sentenced for 2022 Murder](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/03/attachment-Paul-Coleman.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Huge Muffin Recall From This Minnesota Favorite Bargain Store](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-joshua-flores-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)