Georgia Coalition of Black Chambers Receives $2.1 Million Recovery Grant to Aid Small Businesses

The Georgia Coalition of Black Chambers has secured more than $2.1 million in federal recovery funds to support small businesses across the state that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced this week.

The funding comes through a grant agreement with the State of Georgia under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is administered by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget as part of the State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Of the total award, $78,800 has been allocated to the River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (RVBCC), which serves as Region 8 and is headquartered in Columbus. The region encompasses 16 counties in southwest Georgia, including Muscogee, Harris, Sumter, and Macon counties.

“This grant empowers us to keep pushing forward, creating lasting impact and opening more doors for Black-owned businesses in our region,” said Stephanie Quinones, president of the River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce.

The funding will be used to launch and manage a subaward program that delivers financial support, training, and other capacity-building resources to Black-owned and minority-led small businesses. Eligible businesses must have been registered in Georgia and operational in 2019, 2020, or 2021.

RVBCC is tasked with ensuring transparency and effectiveness in administering the local program across its 16-county region. The chamber has already begun hosting informational forums to help businesses prepare for the application process.

“As part of our role, we’ll provide education, training, and credible recommendations to the Georgia Coalition of Black Chambers for grant approvals,” Quinones said.

Businesses in Region 8 interested in applying for ARPA-funded Small Business Revitalization Grants can apply directly at:
jotform.com/sbrgrant/small-business-revitalizaton-grant

To formally mark the award and engage the community, RVBCC will host a public reception on Thursday, June 19 (Juneteenth) at 6:00 p.m. in the Columbus Civic Center Hospitality Suite. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information about the River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce or to stay updated on funding opportunities, visit rivervalleybcc.org.