Businesses within the City of Tuscaloosa, negatively impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown have until Friday to apply for economic assistance from Restart Tuscaloosa. The money comes from the  million dollar contribution by the city to the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's Small Business Relief Fund. Executive Director, Office of Urban Development, Brenden Moore reports the allocation is almost gone so businesses needing aid need to hurry. “Really the primary requirement is you just need to be located in the City of Tuscaloosa. We can help and work with the chamber staff to make sure you are set up for success in the application process.”

Some 915-million dollars have been distributed to 192 businesses across the city’s seven council districts to help get them back on their feet after the pandemic caused economic downturn.

Moore calls the program a tremendous success it, “…met the intent of the city of Tuscaloosa.”

In council district 5 alone, 55 struggling businesses have received more than a quarter million dollars in aid. That district encompasses the important downtown business area.

The Small Business Relief Fund was established in March by the Community Foundation of West Alabama and administered by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama to support small businesses.

For more information, business owners may contact Tuscaloosa City Hall at 205-248-5311 or visit the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama website at TuscaloosaChamber.com.

Restart Tuscaloosa is a $22.6 million dollar program instituted by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and approved by the city council to reduce the number of businesses facing financial hardships due to the pandemic. The money will also go to refurbish infrastructure, assist neighborhoods and boost the heavily impact entertainment and hospitality industry locally.

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