Success StoryA text message provided COVID-19 Relief Fund for a Black Female Restaurant Owner



A text message provided COVID-19 Relief Fund for a Black Female Restaurant Owner

Author: Christopher Cribbs

Planning Unit: KSU Administration

Major Program: Economic Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

In order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic, multiple Kentucky small businesses reduced their operations temporarily and others were temporarily closed. Research has shown that most minority small business owners were cash strap due to little to no access to funds before the COVID-19 Pandemic. Much beloved minority-owned businesses will close their doors permanently without financial aid. 

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. 

On Saturday, April 4, 2020, I texted multiple small business owners the Small Business Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus Relief Option link. A black female restaurant owner (comfort food niche) in Louisville, KY, received the text message and applied for funding, 

On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, the black female restaurant owner was awarded $5,000.00 and then qualified for her $5,000.00 loan to become a grant. The funds aided her with rent, utilities, payroll, inventory costs, etc.  The owner was thankful for the grant text message. 






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