Over a thousand applications approved for $6.5M small business grants
Government legislator, Shereen Flax Charles.
With more than 1,100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) approved for government’s Small Business Sector Grant Relief Programme, business owners are expected to receive their cheques starting Monday, September 14.
This is according to Junior Minister for Trade & Economic Development Shereen Flax-Charles who said in an interview with BVI News that more than 1,400 businesses had applied for the programme.
“There were some applications that did not fit the criteria. There were some applications where, for instance, the person did not have a valid trade license, so obviously they would have been eligible. Based on the criteria and so forth, 1102 persons were eligible.”
Tedious process
Flax-Charles while stating that she was aware of the outcry from business owners that were in dire need of receiving the stimulus, said that her ministry had to ensure that all the proper procedures were taken.
“The programme opened on the 22nd of July and the deadline was the 21st of August. We could not in the first week with whatever applications we got to go ahead and start issuing cheques for persons, because we needed to have all of the applications in, assess the needs of each business, and work with a formula that would assist as many eligible businesses as possible,” she explained.
Funds still available! Deadline extended
The junior minister further said that despite having 1,102 approved businesses for the grants, monies from the $6.5 million fund was still left over after calculations were made.
She said the additional funds prompted the ministry to decide to extend the deadline date to September 16 to allow more businesses the opportunity to apply.
“Those applications will only be based on whatever funds are left, so persons who did not meet the original deadline for whatever reason will still be able to apply and get some assistance for their businesses,” she said.
“That deadline is hard and fast, if it is not in by 12 noon on Wednesday the 16th, it will not be able to move forward in the process,” she added.
No online applications
While the first batch of applications were conducted online, Flax-Charles said that all applications being processed within the extended period will not be taking that route.
She said all businesses interested in securing a grant once eligible will have to contact the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs by calling 468-4280 or by email at [email protected].
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I thank this Government for all they are doing.
Just enough money for the Belongers to go shopping on Amazon for Christmas. Put the money in the businesses and help the employees…nah. The ships got a big hole in it and Foy threw the anchor overboard.
wth are you on about?
Pure jealousy.
If that is the first thing to come in your mind that probably means you would do that. Many businesses are struggling and don’t have that luxury of using money for personal Christmas shopping. Nonsense.
The only thing we are doing is waiting on stimulus.
Stimulus is not going to save the country. The government is running out of money quickly if they don’t publish a plan in relation to tourism soon.
They should get about $6500 each.
Not really. They have left over so that means that the businesses that got shut down in March and never really reopened will probably get just enough to cover one bill. Probably 2000 each or some tiny number that says: we helped but clearly not enough to make a real difference. They should have made it a loan programme so that the businesses could apply for what they needed and the government could recoup some funds come next tourist season.
This annd for the employees are too slow.
so how will people collect thier cheques or do we have to wait on the mail? There was supposed to be updates sent about the applications and mine still says “received” no up date so i suppose im screwed!
if you qualified you would have received an email.
Not sure why she said cheques because theyre supposed to deposit directly to your account
Never heard “Cheques in the mail”? Really? It’s slang for don’t hold your breath waiting for it.
In the US, some receive their stimulus checks in paper form and the ones that have an account in the bank, the money deposited in their account.
So what about the ordinary workers who are laid off?? When will they get theirs.
Is this what the VIP is doing with our social security money? Giving it to their supporters?
I give shereen my vote but she will not be gettin it again imagine i reach out to her 4 help … an i taught its the young ppl there were lookin out 4 but thats politics they look out 4 who they want …
This needs to be clarified .
Am still waiting on my stimulis when would i collect when i die wat a time
Still waiting on my stimulus does anyone have a number to call and check am getting tired