Mayor Tim Keller Announces 10 Additional Albuquerque Small Business Grants
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mayor Tim Keller and the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department today announced that 10 additional small businesses will receive $5,000 grants from the Micro-Business Relief Program, thanks to a $50,000 contribution from the One Albuquerque Fund. The Fund has been actively raising money to support small business relief and housing vouchers for the homeless during the pandemic. The grants provide vital economic support to Albuquerque businesses stay afloat and can be used for operational expenses such as mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, or payroll expenses.
“We’re supporting as many small businesses and workers as we can during this unprecedented time—knowing that if we can help a few of these local institutions keep afloat it will make the recovery faster and more complete,” said Mayor Keller. “Thanks to the One Albuquerque Fund and the donors who have stepped up, our funding is going a little farther than it would have to help keep more local businesses open.”
The grant program provides $5,000 to Albuquerque small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19, and was initially launched in late March with a fund of $700,000. 140 businesses were funded in the initial round of Micro-Business Relief grant awards. The selection of additional businesses will follow the same selection criteria as the first round of grants.
The latest round of funding comes from the One Albuquerque Fund and their donors, who have stepped to fund small business relief and homeless vouchers during the pandemic. The $50,000 donation will support 10 additional small businesses, including:
- Classical Chinese Medicine New Mexico
- Fatty's Customs
- Parental Values LLC
- Truly Social Media LLC
- Leyba Enterprises
- Miss Kellys Academy
- GLB Autoglass & Tint LLC
- Rad5 Media
- Elixir Boutique Chocolates
- Retail Therapy ABQ
The One Albuquerque Fund is working to raise more funds by partnering with other organizations, businesses and taking any size of charitable donations. The fund is accepting donations online at www.onealbuquerque.org.
City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department Director Synthia Jaramillo added, “The initial investment in the Micro-Business Relief Program is being used by Albuquerque micro-businesses to support their employees and to ensure they can stay in business during and after the public health emergency. These grants are intended to give Albuquerque’s small businesses a lifeline, so they can re-open quickly once the immediate crisis is over and be part of the city’s quick economy recovery. However, we can’t do it alone, we need the private sector, private donors and philanthropists to join in our efforts to support Albuquerque small businesses.”
Business Resource Guide and Small Business Assistance
With loans and grants available at the state and federal level, the City’s Economic Development Department has also created a comprehensive business resource page related to other COVID-19 relief efforts. The Small Business Office, a division of the Economic Development Department is also providing technical assistance to support small businesses.
Support Local Businesses
The City also continues to urge all residents to support local businesses as often as they can. Purchase gift cards, order delivery or takeout a few times per week, tip extra if you can, shop online, and source groceries locally.
Lists of restaurants and businesses operating during the public health emergency can be found online. The lists are powered by Visit Albuquerque.