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Norfolk awards over $1 million in Coronavirus Relief (CORE) fund grants to 90 small businesses

WAVY Web Staff

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — As part of the $2 million the Norfolk Department of Economic Development received in CARES Act funds, the city created the CORE grant program for small businesses affected by the pandemic.

The Coronavirus Relief (CORE) fund grants are for for-profit and nonprofit small businesses physically located in Norfolk. Priority is given to minority and women-owned businesses. 


Applicants are required to demonstrate that the business was operational pre-COVID-19 and that it is suffering negative impacts from the pandemic closures. The funds are designed to reimburse businesses for the costs of interruption caused by the closures.

To better assist applicants, Economic Development is offering individualized application support. The Round 3 application period is open from October 7, 2020, until October 18, 2020. Grant rounds will continue until designated CARES Act funds are depleted.

Below, are the results from Round 2 from applications accepted from September 2, 2020 – September 13, 2020. 

$5,000 Micro-grants for companies with 5 or fewer employees
35 Companies (by Business Legal Name): $195,000

$15,000 Small Business Grants for companies with 6 – 25 employees
34 Companies (by Business Legal Name): $510,000

$25,000 Small Business Grants for companies from 26 to 50 employees
9 Companies (by Business Legal Name): $225,000

$15,000 Nonprofit Grants for companies with 50 or fewer employees
8 Companies (by Business Legal Name): $120,000

For more information, visit norfolkdevelopment.com. 

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