Some small NC businesses that were ordered closed due to the coronavirus pandemic may soon get help. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday a $40 million relief program to help offset fixed costs like rent, mortgage interests, and utility bills for such businesses.
The NC Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief (MURR) program provides up to $20,000 in relief funds per qualifying business location. Business applicants from certain industry sectors that have not been unable to open during the pandemic can apply for up to two of their business locations and seek up to four months of mortgage interest or rent expenses, and utility expenses.
Applications to the program will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must certify that they were closed during the period from April 1-July 31 and expect to be able to operate after the pandemic has passed. In addition, applicants cannot have been reimbursed by any other federal source for the expenses they’re seeking to cover with this program.
Eligible applicants include:
- Amusement parks
- Banquet Halls (with catering staff)
- Bars, taverns, night clubs, cocktail lounges
- Bingo parlors
- Bowling alleys/centers
- Dance halls
- Indoor fitness and recreation centers
- Motion picture/movie theaters (except drive-ins)
- Museums
The Department of Commerce will begin accepting applications soon, but an exact date has not been set.
To learn about the MURR program or to register for one of the free educational webinars offered by the Department of Commerce over the next two weeks, visit www.nccommerce.com/murr.
