Monroe County extends deadline for Fast Forward Monroe 2.0 small business grants

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe County is extending the deadline for Fast Forward Monroe 2.0.

The new deadline is Friday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.

Fast Forward Monroe 2.0 is a continuation of Fast Forward Monroe, a small business grant program created back in October of 2020 to help them keep the lights on during the pandemic.

Businesses can apply to receive grants of either $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 depending on how many full-time employees they have.

The grant money can be used for rent, payroll, operating expenditures, or COVID-related business expenses and other funding shortfalls.

Businesses can apply for the second round of grants even if they received funds during the first round, as long as they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Click here to apply.

The second phase is being paid for using an additional $20 million in CARES Act money, which needs to be distributed by the end of the year.

The first phase helped more than 1,500 small businesses in Monroe County.